New Zealand Rugby confirm key health and welfare appointments

Oct 27 • General News, International • 1115 Views • Comments Off on New Zealand Rugby confirm key health and welfare appointments

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) today announced the appointments of Eleanor Butterworth as Respect & Responsibility Project Manager and Joe Harawira as RugbySmart Manager.

Ms Butterworth will lead NZR’s programme to enhance the skills and knowledge of healthy relationships across all levels of the game and brings experience in leading community family and sexual violence prevention, education and development programmes.

Currently the Agency Manager for Wellington Rape Crisis and previously Education and Programme Coordinator for Wellington Women’s Refuge, Ms Butterworth will join NZR in late November.

In addition to the appointment of the Respect & Responsibility Project Manager, Joe Harawira has recently started as RugbySmart Manager, an ACC initiative to encourage positive health and welfare outcomes across all areas of rugby, from the community level through to the professional environment.

General Manager of Rugby, Neil Sorensen said the two roles were critical to NZR’s commitment to safety and welfare in rugby.

“The programme we’ve developed over the past year with the support of ACC will target safety initiatives aimed at coaches, referees and players, as well as a tailored programme with an emphasis on respectful relationships, including consent, sexual assault and violence prevention.

“We’re fortunate to have secured two highly experienced and committed people to take our existing RugbySmart programme to a whole new level.”