Durban - Just weeks after Sharks chief executive John Smit said goodbye to the franchise, KwaZulu-Natal Rugby Union president Graham Mackenzie on Friday night announced at the union’s council meeting that he was stepping down.
The union’s general manager, Pete Smith, is also retiring, which means some big changes for the closely aligned union and Sharks franchise.
Mackenzie will be replaced by the current vice-president, Francois Louis.
Mackenzie, who has been president for five years, said he had “reached a personal juncture in my life where I now need to give focus to my personal and business life”.
It means the new Sharks chief executive, former Springbok captain Gary Teichmann, will be working closely with a new general manager of the union and its new president, Louis.
“I’ve served the KZNRU for nine years in various capacities,” said Mackenzie. “My business life, requires that I will have to be abroad for prolonged periods. I believe that in fairness to all concerned, with both the club and amateur season now over, that it is best that I create the opportunity now for the KZNRU to appoint a successor.”
Sharks chairman Stephen Saad said: “We will miss Graham. He has worked tirelessly to raise funds and grow the game at grass-roots level. His work in the transformation and development arena was recognised by our provincial government, resulting in a five-year sponsorship of youth development rugby.”
Independent on Saturday