Following her first major appointment as CEO of Netball New Zealand, Raelene became the first female CEO in the National Rugby League where she headed the Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs for around 5 years. Following her tenure in the NRL, she then led Rugby Australia as CEO for a further 3 years and is the current head of Sport New Zealand. In 2015, Raelene was appointed an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services in sport and business.
Raelene was born in Wagga Wagga and raised in Auckland. Both of her parents represented New Zealand in the sporting arena (her father in Rugby League, and her mother in Lawn Bowls), so it is probably unsurprising that she notes ‘sport’ as her family’s religion… “Sport showed us the value of hard work and how diverse communities can come together - both winning and losing in sport teaches humility and resilience. I spent the first 15 years of my working life in the commercial sector with some of New Zealand’s largest corporates. These experiences laid the platform for me to move across to Sports Administration where I could bring together my commercial experience and my deep passion for Sport. I have been fortunate to work with many amazing people and organisations over my career.”
Raelene is a human mammal. Here are her thoughts:
What brings you the most joy in life?
A day at the beach with my family and friends – sun, surf and sand are magical for the soul. Followed by sharing great food, wine and laughter.
What does success mean to you?
When they put me in the ground one day, I want them to say I made the most of every opportunity and that I was a valued friend.
What do you see as your greatest achievement?
Having the resilience to get up and reset after facing significant challenges.
What are you most grateful for?
My family and friends, and my loving and supportive partner, Greg. They challenge and support me in equal measure.
Who or what has had the biggest influence on your life?
My amazing parents who taught my brother and I great family values and manners, but also treated us the same. We both had to learn to change a tyre, parallel park, cook dinner and do the washing! They showed me that girls could do anything. All they ever wanted was for us to give things 100%.
What do you regret?
Not having children in my twenties. I couldn’t have children in my late thirties, when Greg and I were in a position to try. Most of the time I am ok with it and believe I was destined to do other things.
Has there been a defining moment in your life? Can you tell us about it?
My appointment as CEO of Netball NZ. The Netball NZ Board put their faith in me to step into a CEO role for the first time and afforded me the opportunity to live my dream of being a sport CEO. During this time, we were also able to launch a competition to take Netball into a new professional era.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Being the smartest person at school is not the only way to succeed. A combination of IQ, EQ and intuition are equally valuable in leadership roles.
What is the most important thing we can teach kids in school?
The importance of diversity and inclusion, and being open minded to new ideas and information.
If you could have a conversation with anyone, living or dead, who would you choose and why?
Bruce Springsteen – I’ve been a fan forever and I am fascinated by his story of rags to riches, and his honesty around his mental health challenges.
When did you last have a significant change of mind?
I didn’t believe in quotas to improve diversity on Governance Boards, but I have seen the positive impact of a 40% female quota across sport in New Zealand. Sports funded by Sport NZ now have well over 75% compliance.
Do you have a favourite quote? What is it? Why do you like it?
“If at first the idea is not absurd, then there is no hope for it” – Albert Einstein.
Believe the impossible is possible and be brave enough to step into the opportunity.
What would you do with your life if you had unlimited financial resources?
Use the aligned medical minds who developed a vaccine for COVID to find a cure for cancer.
What concept/fact/idea should every human on the planet understand?
It is free to be kind.
Do you believe in God?
No I don’t, but I respect everyone’s right to believe.
What do you see as the biggest existential threat to humanity?
The ever-evolving gap of rich and poor - countries and people - leading to power imbalance, control and inequity.
What is a good death?
One that comes when a full life has been lived.
Thanks for your time, Raelene!
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I really enjoyed the interview. Raelene was judged harshly whilst CEO of Rugby Australia - a woman in a man’s domain…Oh no!!!
I thought there might be a curly question about Folau in there....