NTRU boss Mark Heath gets the flick

NT RUGBY is on the hunt for a new CEO after not renewing Mark Heath’s contract, the NT News can reveal

Mark Heath.

NT RUGBY is on the hunt for a new CEO after not renewing Mark Heath’s contract, the NT News can reveal.

NTRU president Dan Bree yesterday confirmed that Heath would leave his position at the end of this season, saying the board “was looking for a change”.

“Mark’s been with us around five years and basically, we are just taking the opportunity to move forward with some fresh ideas,” Bree said.

“The board is of the view that every so often after a four, five, six year period that we need renewal in an organisation such as the NTRU, and that’s what we’ve decided.

“It would have been a surprise to him, simply because it wasn’t about performance, this was about making a change and going in a new direction for the organisation.”

Over his four-and-a-half year tenure, Heath secured the signing of Land Rover as naming rights sponsor of Rugby Park, as well as Coca-Cola for the Hottest 7s.

The Darwin local also put the Country of Origin representative fixture back on the calendar, which is now a season highlight for the Top End’s best players, and following the demise of the Minor States Championships, ensured annual matches for the NT Mosquitoes against Townsville.

Heath also had a major role in reigniting the Minor States Championships for 2018.

South Australia adopted the concept, which has since been endorsed by Rugby Australia.

Heath said he hoped that the game was now in a better position than when he began as CEO.

“The upgrading of the facilities on a shoestring budget has been a challenge in itself, but well worth the slow progress, so the players and visitors have better green space facilities available for their kids and families,” Heath said.

“Juniors a real possibility in both Katherine and Alice Springs, the Hottest 7s is gaining stronger numbers and there is growth in the women’s sevens teams.

“The NTRU will be moving the Hottest 7s from January to November 2019, which we believe will see substantial increase in both marquee men’s teams, as well as women’s teams.”

Bree said NTRU would be looking both locally and interstate for Heath’s replacement.