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.

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 our game's struggles and opportunities 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. 

Karen Long 

Karen is an experienced finance professional based in Ōtautahi, Christchurch and is currently the Financial Controller at Hellers Limited. She prides herself on getting the best out of the people she works with and thrives when being involved with organisations that make a real difference to Aotearoa, and specifically, Te Waipounamu.

Originally from Wigan, Karen is a life-long Rugby League fan supporting the Wigan Warriors since she was a small girl and also adopting the One New Zealand Warriors since moving to Ōtautahi in 2012.

Karen brings several years of governance experience from the not-for-profit, membership body and education space.

Shaun Tahau

Mai i Maketu ki Tongariro

Ko Tauhara te maunga

Ko Taupō-nui-a-Tia te moana

Ko Ngāti Tūwharetoa te iwi

Ko Ngāti Tūtemōhuta te hapū

Ko Pakira te whare tīpuna

Ko Te Rangitāhau te rangatira

I tipu ake au i raro i te maunga tītōhea o Taranaki

Ko Shaun Tāhau tōku ingoa

Shaun grew up on the West Coast of Taranaki in the small farming and surfing community of Opunake. Shaun started playing rugby league at the age of 5 for his local club, the Coastal Cobras, where his father was the captain of the senior premier team. In 2006, Shaun moved south to Dunedin to attend the University of Otago. Shaun joined the South Pacific Rugby League and Sports Club in 2007. He has represented the Otago Whalers and Otago University at Uni Games.

Shaun has extensive professional experience in the tertiary and vocational sectors, from a range of areas such as marketing and communications, strategic design and development, organisational leadership and change, people and culture, Māori development and bi-culturalism. Shaun is also a member of the Institute of Directors and has governance experience in sports and iwi/hapū. 

Shaun is currently the Deputy Executive Director Tiriti and Partnerships at Otago Polytechnic and is based in Dunedin. Shaun and his partner Gianna have two young boys, Rangiaho and Waikorihiata.