Nathan Godfrey

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Nathan Godfrey
Born (1977-09-13) September 13, 1977 (age 44)
Australia
OccupationCEO, Sports Management

Nathan Godfrey (born 13 September 1977) is an entrepreneur and sports manager best known as the former CEO of the Canterbury Rugby Union in New Zealand.[1] He is also a member of the 7 Continents Club and Director of Run Kangaroo Island winner of the bronze medal at the South Australian Tourism Awards in 2021.[2]

Education[]

Godfrey was educated at the University of Otago where he studied bachelor degrees in Commerce and Education.[3][4] In 2018, he graduated with an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.

Career[]

Canterbury Rugby Union CEO Nathan Godfrey watching a game of rugby in Christchurch, with his wife Australian Volleyball star Heike Jensen and their daughter.

Godfrey’s sports management career began in 2010 as an AFLPA accredited sports agent, before joining the Adelaide Crows in 2012 where he worked for 3 years. In 2015, Godfrey relocated to New Zealand to take up a role as Head of Commercial at the Wellington Phoenix A-League club.[5]

In 2016, Godfrey was appointed CEO of the Canterbury Rugby Union[6][7] following NZ Rugby CEO Steve Tew and Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach.[8][9]

Godfrey was an advocate for diversity and inclusion across all levels of the game[10] and was instrumental in leading a high profile anti-discrimination campaign endorsed by the Human Rights Commission.[11] He was also vocal in supporting the Ardern Government's vision to fund a new multi-purpose Arena in Christchurch to replace the earthquake damaged stadium.[12][13][14]

Godfrey made a controversial decision to snub the Crusaders and Canterbury Men’s Rugby Teams who had both won their respective competitions, instead choosing to nominate the Canterbury Women’s Rugby Team for their inaugural Championship success in 2017. The CRFU Women's team went on to be named ‘Team of the Year’ at the 2018 Sports Awards[15][16] and subsequently won four NZ National Championship titles in a row. [17]

In late 2018 it was announced Godfrey was stepping down as Chief Executive Officer to return home to Australia with his wife and young family.[18]

References[]

  1. ^ "Departed CRFU boss Nathan Godfrey: 'I don't feel like I quit my job, my priority is to my family'". Stuff. 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  2. ^ "2021 South Australian Tourism Awards Winners". Tourism Industry Council SA. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  3. ^ "Wellington Phoenix FC: Flying the Flag for New Zealand Football". The Australian Business Executive. Retrieved 2020-08-02.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ "Podcast: Crossing Sporting Codes & Continents with Nate Godfrey". PickStar Blog. 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  5. ^ "Wellington Phoenix secure A-League slot and Huawei sponsorship". Inside World Football. 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  6. ^ "Wellington Phoenix's Nathan Godfrey joins Canterbury Rugby as new CEO". Stuff. 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  7. ^ "PressReader.com - Your favorite newspapers and magazines". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  8. ^ "Departing Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach: 'There is no magic drink on a Monday morning'". Stuff. 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  9. ^ "The changing face of Rugby Union – The Australian Business Executive | A Deeper Look at Business & Government". Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  10. ^ "JULIE PATTERSON APPOINTED NEW CRFU VICE-PRESIDENT". www.canterburyrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  11. ^ "PressReader.com - Digital Newspaper & Magazine Subscriptions". www.pressreader.com. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  12. ^ Columnist, Guest (2018-05-15). "The Influencers Column: Nathan Godfrey". Metropol. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  13. ^ "Labour announces $300m for Christchurch rebuild". Stuff. 2017-08-27. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  14. ^ "Canterbury rugby will not pay to help build a stadium in Christchurch". Stuff. 2017-05-18. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  15. ^ "Title-winning Crusaders not nominated by Canterbury Rugby for regional awards". Stuff. 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  16. ^ "Canterbury women's rugby nomination ahead of the Crusaders was based 'on merit' rather than 'a political decision'". Stuff. 2018-02-28. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  17. ^ "Canterbury win fourth Dr Farah Palmer Cup". Scrum Queens. 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  18. ^ "13 Sept 2018 - Godfrey puts family ahead of footy". www.crfu.co.nz. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
Retrieved from ""