Angela Nash leads the technology team at NZ Rugby, which is responsible for five strategic technology platforms that deliver a range of capabilities from internal business systems, community game and fixtures management, GPS data tracking and analytics through to live analytics of broadcast footage direct to the coaches' box during test matches.

“Over the past 24 months we have had what can only be described as a seismic shift in how we talk about, understand, plan, manage, deliver and report on technology within NZ Rugby,” says Nash. “We have implemented a broad and deep enterprise digital change at all levels from operational delivery to strategy and everything in between. We have implemented new roles, reporting, budgeting methods, stakeholder engagement, technology roadmaps and strategy that delivers not only to ‘running the rugby business’ but also the ‘business of running rugby.’”

Throughout 2020/21 the team reviewed and consolidated the organisation’s organically grown legacy systems and as a result over the past 12-18 months have delivered innovations and changes as follows:

• Deployed new or upgraded systems (HP payroll, digital registrations, multi-language systems, geo-location). 
• Completed RugbyNet pilot with Spark to deploy internet to remote clubs. Communities can utilise infrastructure and connectivity to create opportunities such as homework, coding clubs and training.
• Created centralised information hub for community rugby that consolidated five legacy websites into one platform resulting in vastly improved UI, UX and reduced OPEX
• Onboarded first global technology partnership (SAP)
• Full architectural and physical rebuild of fan database and authentication engine to create the foundational building blocks required for future commercial needs
• Ground-breaking work on NZ Rugby’s High Performance Data Project. Remediating HP data across multiple providers, focusing on future generations, and designed to deliver value to rugby as a whole.
• Launched first “digital rugby player” in partnership with Soul Machines, engages fans in VIP areas, innovative way of delivering existing content. Phase2 “Digital All Black” (focus on global fans/multi language)
• Created a technology roadshow in hosting areas.  Designed to showcase sporting technology, promotional engagement, innovation, data and BI of the live game.
• Deployed “choose own device” model for hardware allowing people to be efficient by choosing platform most comfortable on and best suits needs of role
• Decommissioned WAN, deployed SaaS environment, removed legacy complexities

“All of the above are things the team have identified as things they are most proud of and is not an exhaustive list. With such a small team I am incredibly proud of our team and the huge undertaking we started on just a few years ago. Massive effort and even more massive outcomes for us and the business,” says Nash. 

For the first time ever and as a direct result of the work of the past two years, technology is a listed strategic enabler within New Zealand Rugby.  It appears in the organisation’s five-year strategic plan as “Leading through Technology” and is reported at board level, to key stakeholders, staff and customers.

“We have experienced a substantial shift in how technology is not only perceived within NZ Rugby but also how we perceive ourselves as a team, how embedded we are within the organisation and the value we can provide to the rugby community as a whole. This has been a team effort that required us all to reimagine who we are as a team and what we needed to be for our business to succeed,” adds Nash.