About Rugby For Life

As an employer, I see kids coming through with a lack of confidence. Sport enhances abilities and makes people resilient. Rugby is the sport we love and RFL is gaining momentum to do things better, collectively. It is an important ecosystem that provides opportunities in education, wellness, and employment. If I can use my talents to support these communities, I want to be a part of it.

Rugby for Life was founded on an idea to do good in the community and help Northland families thrive by using the local rugby clubs as hubs for sport and provide opportunities around wellness, employment, and training. Riki played rugby for Otago and co-owns the Duke of Marlborough in Russell. His whakapapa goes back to Nga Puhi.

RFL provides a bridge between the rugby community and essential services in education, health, and employment to provide solutions. RFL connects sponsors to support the clubs that benefit the game as well as the community. The game is important but people are more important. I am passionate about rugby and see real value in the service delivery of RFL. Iwi – Ngati Porou

Sharon was the first female President of Northland Rugby Union – the first for any provincial union in NZ and served as Deputy Mayor of Whangarei. Sharon’s incredible energy, integrity, dignity, and humour has benefited the Northland community. Sharon brings her passion for sport and the arts to help guide the leading principles of RFL around wellness, education, and employment.

Ashleigh joins the team with a wealth of knowledge and experience under her belt. Ashleigh was previously the Commercial Partnerships Manager for Moana Pasifika. A comprehensive role that works to identify, research, and make recommendations on new business partnerships and opportunities that focus on aligning values and initiatives to Māori and Pasifika communities. She also has experience working as the Cook Islands Rugby Union President, Womens & Junior Development Lead, Treasurer, National Mens Sevens Manager and National Mens 15’s Manager. During her time Ashleigh was part of the planning and implementation of programs for community initiatives amongst many other key areas that helped to engage local communities to support sustainable growth across all areas of the game.

Ashleigh says, “I was excited to be a part of Rugby For Life because I believe that first and foremost sport can be used as a platform to engage with, empower, develop and connect communities.” She is a passionate, collaborative, and skilled professional with proven experience working in sport with community engagement at the forefront and Rugby For Life is very excited to have her on board!

Tuck Waaka is a well-known New Zealand rugby personality with a long history with our country’s most loved game. Born in Masterton, at a young age Tuck relocated to the Hokianga with his whanau. In Tuck’s own words; “I grew up in a rugby mad family!” His brothers played for Hokianga and Northland and his sister Cheryl represented NZ as a Black Fern.
Over the years Tuck was 1st XV captain for Northland College, a rep for Otago University under 19s, Otago, and was the winning captain for Bay of Plenty the inaugural year of the ITM cup (NPC). Tuck was also captain for the NZ Māori team and won the Ranfurly Shield while playing with Northland.
With a deep understanding of how rugby can benefit communities; becoming a part of Rugby for Life seemed a natural progression for Tuck. He feels that; “Rugby clubs can provide opportunities for tamariki to engage in physical activity, learn valuable life skills and develop a sense of belonging. The clubs are also a great place to promote health and wellbeing programmes and community engagement.” We are very fortunate to have Tuck’s firsthand experience, knowledge and wisdom integrated into the pillars of Rugby for Life.

Nigel, originally from the Hawkes Bay, played age-group representative in both rugby and cricket. He went to Otago University in the early 1990’s playing senior grade rugby. After graduating he left to develop a career in finance in London. A passionate kiwi, he loves all sport and what it can do for communities. Nigel is currently developing the Rugby For Life relationships in Europe. He is working with kiwis to reconnect and give back to grassroots rugby and its community in Northland. Nigel’s father Graeme played hooker in the 1966 season for Mid-Western club in Maungakaramea whilst on a work placement which contributes to his passion to help communities in the far North.

RFL has been the only programme to deliver real value with outcomes, personnel, and monetary contributions towards helping our clubs be sustainable. The need is huge yet our volunteers are struggling. People want to be part of something special that does good and RFL is demonstrating that positive outcomes for the community comes from collective support.

Strength is the people; strength is the tribe. When we give them opportunities, the strength goes to the clubs and communities. RFL has helped to provide many significant outcomes for clubs and especially the community around Take 2 for the Team. Empowering Club Coordinators to do what’s right for the whānau and community will ensure club sustainability. Iwi – Nga Puhi

Volunteers are crucial to our communities and RFL are helping to provide a vital link with the clubs as hubs model between rugby and whānau to help them thrive. From helping kids gain their drivers license that leads to employment to supporting more Club Coordinators, RFL saw the need and took action to help solve real problems. Iwi – Te Aroha and