By Stu Piddington

South Canterbury Rugby Union chairman Brent Isbister has stepped down to join the Crusaders board.

Isbister is the appointee of the Crusaders five regional provincial union shareholders: Mid Canterbury, West Coast, Buller, Tasman and South Canterbury.

He replaces Nick Patterson, who died in January.
Temuka's Ray Teahen is the new South Canterbury Rugby Union chairman.

Isbister's appointment means he will step aside as chairman of the South Canterbury board, though he will remain on the board, after being reappointed in February for a further three years.

At the South Canterbury board meeting on Wednesday night, deputy chairman Ray Teahen was elected to replace Isbister.

Isbister, a Pleasant Point Rugby Club stalwart, has been chairman of South Canterbury since 2010, having first served on the board in 2007. 

A dairy and beef farmer, Isbister has also held governance roles within the rural sector, the most recent as chairman of the Aoraki Water Solutions Group.

He has also assisted New Zealand Rugby, sitting on their appointments and remuneration committee for three years from 2010 to 2013.

Crusaders chairman Grant Jarrold welcomed the experience that Isbister will bring to the boardroom.

"Brent is a great addition to our board as he brings a wealth of knowledge from his involvement in club and provincial rugby.

"He also has a strong skill set in rugby governance, particularly his role with the SCRU, which gives a nice balance to our current director group at the Crusaders."

Isbister said he was looking forward to representing the five Crusaders regional provincial unions.

SCRU president Russell Leech said Isbister's appointment was a recognition of his capacity for hard work in support of rugby, and many years of dedication to club and provincial rugby in South Canterbury.

 "Brent will be a great advocate for the role of the smaller unions in the Crusaders franchise." 

Teahen said he was honoured and humbled by his elevation to chairman of South Canterbury.

"I am grateful for the many years of hard work put in by Brent and the healthy state of club and Heartland rugby he has led during his time as chair."

Teahen said the union was at the crossroads.

"The forthcoming settlement of the Fraser Park Trust will increase our responsibilities significantly, but will also give us the opportunity to ensure our rugby headquarters will become a major and modern sports and rugby facility in this growing region.

"Our union is in an excellent position to face the challenges ahead." 

South Canterbury's last representative on the Crusaders board was Stephen McFarlane, for two years from 2011, also representing the five regional unions.

The search for the new fulltime South Canterbury chief executive is under way to replace Wayne Hart, with the board short-listing the applicants.

Isbister said they were happy with the number and quality of the applicants.