New rugby president takes positive approach to role

Press, 31 March 1989, Page 26

New rugby president takes positive approach to role

The new captain of Canterbury rugby’s administrative crew, Murray Inglis, intends carrying no passengers aboard while he is on the bridge. “Our shop is basically in pretty good order and, as I said at the annual meeting, everybody who stands for the Rugby Union knows the demands which have to be met. The fact that they know these demands means they should be prepared for them — there will be no passengers and I mean that.”

Mr Inglis wants Canterbury rugby to take progressive steps while he is the president of the union as well as its management committee chairman and he says a positive approach is essential. “We must think positive in all aspects of rugby — the administration, the playing of the game, in communication. If we are positive in everything we do I think it rubs off. We have started positively, we have the development squad for the first time this season and we have guys like Tane (Norton), Lyn Davis, Alex (Wyllie), Don Hayes and Wayne Smith involved with them and you wouldn’t get a better bunch of experienced guys to help.” Mr Inglis considers that • the image of Canterbury administration has had a facelift, the "stuffed shirt” tag no longer applicable. “The days of being an old boy club have gone. I think this was proved in the election this year. Clubs have their say in who they want on the union and it’s up to them to decide. I know it has been said in the past that once you get on it is hard to get off, but it was proved this year that no man should be there by right.”

Mr Inglis has already introduced some refreshing levity into management committee meetings and he feels he has the backing of his fellow officers.

“They seem to be behind me at present — you can’t be too stuffy about the whole bloody thing.” He chuckled as he recalled he was dubbed “Rabuka” when presiding at a meeting last season

By

BOB SCHUMACHER

in the absence of the then president, Les Russell. “They reckon there was going to be a take-over.” “You’ve got to appear as if you’re enjoying it — there’s a lot of problems at times too, but you’ve really got to take them as matters for the union as a whole and not as a personal affront. You’re doing your best for rugby generally and if you don’t enjoy it you might as well

not be in on the game.” Mr Inglis has had a long association with rugby, not surprising with his family background, and he has pursued the often followed trail of player-cum-coach-cum-ad-ministrator. Mr Inglis’s father, Stan,

was prominent in rugby circles in Dunedin before the family shifted to Christchurchy. A life member of the Southern club, he was on the Otago union’s management committee for about 10 years and manager of the 1947 Otago team which won and retained the Ranfurly Shield that year. “You could say I’ve been in rugby from the start,” said Mr Inglis, who

had a year in the King’s High School first XV and a year in club competition before his father was transferred to Christchurch. It was only natural that Mr Inglis should link with Albion, the “sister” club of Southern, on his arrival

in Christchurch. After several games in senior reserve he made his senior debut when aged 19.

He had two years in senior ranks, playing at first five-eighths, and he speaks with obvious passion when recollecting the occasions marking such accomplished Canterbury players as Johnny Hotop and Peter Kearney in the early 19505. However, Mr Inglis’s senior career was put on hold for three years when a job travelling around the South Island forced him to confine his appearances to the Albion second team, and when he was available again in 1957 he was sidelined for the season by appendicitis.

He played senior rugby the next season then turned to coaching, starting with th 6 sst 71b team and staying with that team as it progressed through the grades to under 16.

The under-age connection ultimately led to Mr Inglis being elected to the Canterbury union’s Junior Advisory Board. He served on it for seven years and, as chairman in 1974 and 1975, he was its representative on the union’s management committee in those years.

When Sid Husband was transferred to the West Coast in 1977, Mr Inglis stood for the management committee and, to his utter surprise, was elected.

He has been on the committee since, six years as a vice-president before his recent elevation to the chief administrative position.

Although many unions differentiate between the roles of president and chairman, the Canterbury head holds both posts. “I personally think its a good idea, it keeps your finger on the pulse but I will say that it is busy, bloody busy. This year we’ve reinstituted a finance committee which we haven’t had for three years and we’ve had sponsorship deals which have fallen due this year and have had to be renegotiated.

“I’m pleased with the arrangements that have been negotiated, although it is a two-way thing of course.”

An export pulse trader with Hodder and Tolley, Limited, Mr Inglis is appreciative of the understanding shown by both his employers and family to his rugby business. His three sons, Grant, Dean and Scott, have all played for Albion, while his wife, Janice, has always been supportive. His work is often interrupted by calls relating to rugby matters and two phone calls during the interview both pertained to rugby. “But I’m prepared to be on call and ready to give answers at all times. I tell people that I don’t beat around the bush. People don’t want to hear you talking all the time — my idea is to get your point over and done with in as short a time as possible.” Mr Inglis wants his committee chairmen to function efficiently. “They should do their thing beforehand and make recommendations at management committee meetings. I’m not saying that will be the blueprint, but their decisions will be respected. I want the chairmen talking about it, not every other Tom, Dick or Harry on that particular committee.” A life member of the Albion club, Mr Inglis has set the recapture of the Ranfurly Shield as his prime goal in his three years of office.

“I was involved with the Canterbury Ranfurly Shield team in 1982 and 1983. The Ranfurly Shield is still the ultimate, and let’s face it Canterbury rugby last year was on a down. I’m hopeful of getting it back up and if Malcolm Dick (the Auckland union chairman) gives us a half chance we’ll be in like a dog. I think if we get the opportunity to get it back we have got the players there — I’ve no doubt about that. I would like the media to help promote the players and not be quite so conservative in giving our players a kick along. I would love to see the Ranfurly Shield back.”