Southern Zone Rugby League Board

Tim Kerr – Chair

Tim is an experienced professional marketer and is currently the Head of Marketing & Engagement at Enable Networks Ltd.  He is at his best when empowered to lead and deliver based on understanding organisational strategy and objectives. This he believes enables him to set a clear direction for the teams that he manages and to deliver the results the business needs to succeed.

Although not a rugby league person, Tim has experience on other sporting Boards having been on the Netball Mainland and Canterbury Netball Boards and has experience in finance, risk and marketing. He is also currently on the Board of Governors at Christ’s College in Christchurch.

Darren Rewi – Deputy Chair

A self-employed Health and Safety consultant who was previously employed in aviation and who in 2016 after 22 years with Air New Zealand in Queenstown and Wellington left to pursue his passion back in the South Island working in Health and Safety. He has a broad range of governance experience including Leadership roles and currently is on the executive of his Runaka at Oraka Aparima in Riverton. On the board of Arts Murihiku, the Otago Lakes Strengthening Families Strategy Group and the Police Maori Advisory Group.

Born and bred in Invercargill he played a couple of seasons of Rugby League in his youth. Whilst working in the capital he was on the board of Wellington Rugby League for 5 years, 3 of which were as Chair and recently he sat in as interim GM whilst the zone went through the GM recruitment process.

Darren spent five years on the board of Sport Wellington, was the Chair of Wellington Rugby League and the Chair of the Air New Zealand Airports Ground Handling Health and Safety Committee.

Other than his 6 years in Wellington he has been based in Queenstown for nearly 30 years. Married to Debbie and have 6 children. Previously involved in many community groups including Football Scouts Waka Ama and the Volunteer Fire Brigade to name a few.

Matt McLennan

Matt has around 20 years’ experience in the sport, event, and entertainment industries with a focus on the commercialisation of events, marketing, sponsorship, content, and event management. He has a post graduate level qualification in Business Administration with a proven ability to combine strong business acumen and leadership with project management expertise.

He is currently the Venue General Manager for FIFA and owns a consultancy business, having previously been the Commercial Manager for the Otago Rugby Union.  

Kylie McNeilly

Kylie McNeilly is an Invercargill-based lawyer with international corporate experience. Kylie has worked in regulation and governance throughout her legal career and adds great value to the Southern Zone board in terms of strategy, professionalism, and policies.  While Kylie is new to the world of Rugby League, we are excited about the open-mindedness and new energy she will bring to the board. Kylie is driven by community engagement and aims to make a positive impact on the South Island Community.  

Jenny Pope

Jenny Pope is a big part of West Coast Rugby League and is extremely passionate about the game. Jenny played Rugby League in Australia representing both Queensland and Australia between 2005 and 2009. Jenny has been on the West Coast Schoolboys committee since 2015 and has been a massive part of ensuring opportunities are still offered on the West Coast. Jenny is also involved in the Cobden-Kohinoor Rugby League Club and has a fantastic understanding of the Rugby League landscape in the South Island and the struggles and opportunities our game has at the grassroots level. Jenny would love to see more opportunities given to players in the South Island, to succeed at the highest level in all roles; players, coaches, referees, and officials. 

Chris Bull 

Chris has spent the last 13 years in the electricity sector, mostly with power company Meridian Energy and currently with Nova Energy. Originally from Nelson, with a background in aquaculture and teaching. He moved to Canterbury in 2007 to pursue further opportunities, eventually settling in Kaiapoi.

Chris played rugby league during his high school days, representing Nelson College first 13 in 2001. Chris is a firm Panthers fan due to family connections, with a patriotic love of the Warriors as well. Chris brings a player's perspective to the board as well as expertise in relationship management and is a creative thinker. Chris is passionate about giving back to our game and previously to his appointment as director, he was an associate director with Southern Zone.