The Central West Rugby Union will become the yardstick for competitions across Australia after the appointment of Dubbo’s Matt Tink as chief executive officer for the next three years.
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That’s the view of outgoing boss Peter Veenstra after he announced Tink, the current forwards coach of the Honda Heat in Japan, as his successor on Monday morning.
Tink won’t officially take on the role until February but has already arranged for Michael Cheika and the Wallabies coaching team to tour the central west in 2018.
And it’s that proactive approach, along with experience with both the Western Force and Melbourne Rebels Super Rugby franchises and knowledge of the region, that has Veenstra predicting a golden age for rugby union in the central west.
“He’s the total package and he’s going to take Central West Rugby Union to the next level,” Veenstra said at the new CEO announcement on Monday morning.
“His vision is: Central West Rugby Union will become the model union for all other unions and sports in Australia. I think he can achieve it.”
Tink’s resume is impressive.
He’s been with the Honda Heat since 2014, worked as the manager for elite pathways with the Rebels for three seasons and has also coached the Super Rugby side’s scrum .
He was also the scrum coach for the Western Force for three seasons from 2009, while also acting as the manager for community rugby and the Force’s A program forwards coach.
He’s worked with the NSW Waratahs, played with Eastwood, West Harbour and Southern Districts in the Shute Shield and represented Australia at an under 19s and under 21s level.
He coached the Blue Bulls in 2007 and the Dubbo Roos first grade side in 2006.
Tink was the pick of what Veenstra said was an “extensive campaign to fill the position”, with 19 applications received and four progressing through to the interview stage.
Tink will begin his three year stint as CWRU CEO from February, with Veenstra maintaining his position in the job until Tink arrives back in the country.
“We can’t think of anyone more highly qualified and suited for this position,” Veenstra said.
“By virtue of who he is and what’s he’s done, he will attract significant sponsorship to the union.”
John Maynard was voted in as the new CWRU president at the annual general meeting on Sunday at Molong.
Peter Nugent is the new vice president. He’ll look after the running of the GrainCorp competitions, while Veenstra was appointed patron of the union.