MASSEY UNIVERSITY News
Cup excitement growing, says RWC head
International Rugby Board Head of Rugby World Cup Kit McConnell has countered claims in a survey that a third of New Zealanders are not interested in the tournament.
The 38-year-old Massey University graduate says since the Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park he has already noticed a growing excitement in the Cup.
Mr McConnell, who is the Rugby World Cup Tournament Director for the IRB, made the comments as he was filming an advert for the University’s promotional campaign “The engine of the new New Zealand”.
“I think New Zealanders have always been engaged with the tournament and the match on the weekend here at Eden Park added to a noticeable lift in the level of excitement,” he says.
“More and more people are focusing on how they will secure tickets and be a part of Rugby World Cup. That engagement and excitement will continue to build over the final month before the September 9 kick off. As the teams arrive here, as the 95,000 spectators from around the world arrive here in New Zealand I think that the whole country will be truly behind the tournament.”
Mr McConnell, who graduated from Massey with a first class honours Master of Business Studies (Management) in 1996, is tasked with making sure the tournament goes smoothly off the pitch.
His role involves making sure all stakeholders – including the IRB, Government and the New Zealand Rugby Union – are working together and he oversees the IRB’s operations at the tournament.
While completing his master’s, Mr McConnell secured a job with the International Olympic Committee at its Switzerland headquarters. He joined the IRB in 2002 and has also worked on the two previous Rugby World Cups – Australia in 2003 and France in 2007.
The former Auckland Grammar School student says it is important to get the tournament right for the future of major events in New Zealand. “It is a huge event, probably the biggest that New Zealand has ever hosted. Rugby World Cup showcases New Zealand on a global stage. It is also critically important for world Rugby by reaching that peak of exposure that comes once every four years, showcasing our sport and allowing us to drive investment from that back into the global game. The success of the tournament is vital for both rugby and New Zealand.”
He credits his studies on the Albany campus for giving him an understanding of the professional world of sports management and opening up the opportunities to work in the industry.
“It gave me a good base understanding of the industry itself and the importance of business and management practices in the world of sport. There is a clear link between the sporting side of the industry and the business and management side.”
Mr McConnell is the latest in a series of New Zealanders in high profile roles to star in “The engine of the new New Zealand” campaign, which showcases inspiring people and New Zealand’s emerging confidence and achievements on the global stage. The advert will be launched on Sunday.
University’s ecentre marks a decade of innovation
The University’s ecentre has marked a decade of supporting business innovation by showcasing some of its success stories at a tenth anniversary celebration.
The business incubator, which is based on the Albany campus, has helped more than 200 companies since it was founded in 2001.
Entrepreneurs including Sir Stephen Tindall together with visionary academics Dr Bryan Chrystall and Dr Chris Kirk – who are among the ecentre founders –were among the 120 guests at the celebration at the Takapuna Boating Club.
Among the ecentre successes are market research company Perceptive, web design company Zeald.com and 3D graphics specialists Marops, which was placed in the Deloitte Fast 50 last year. Cleanflow Systems, which has developed world-leading technology to assess water pipes, grew from the ecentre and now sells into 35 countries worldwide – employing nine Massey University graduates in the 13-strong firm.
Steve Corbett, chief executive of ecentre, said over the past three years ecentre companies had contributed more than $30 million to New Zealand in export revenue and creation of such successful technology companies would drive New Zealand business forward.
He said many companies had benefited from having access to Massey University experts and the ecentre was now managing commercialisation from the Albany campus.
The ecentre was established in 2001 with assistance from a loan from the Tindall Foundation. Sponsors such as Sir David Levene and Sir Stephen Tindall still work closely with the ecentre.
It is currently planning to expand the ecentreSprint programme, a 12-week programme that assists entrepreneurs to determine whether their business idea is workable.
Education: Kristin School
