MARTIN SNEDDEN
From his appointment in late 2006 through to December 2011, Martin Snedden served as Chief Executive of Rugby New Zealand 2011 Ltd (RNZ 2011).
RNZ 2011 was a joint venture company established by the New Zealand Government and the New Zealand Rugby Union to organize and deliver Rugby World Cup (RWC) 2011. RWC 2011 took place during September and October 2011. It is regarded, both internationally and domestically, as having been a spectacular success. In January 2012, Martin was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit (CNZM) for services to sports administration. He is currently writing a book about RWC 2011, due for publication later this year.
Prior to the RWC 2011 project, Martin was Chief Executive of New Zealand Cricket for nearly 6 years, serving through a tumultuous period punctuated by issues relating to terrorism, politics, and player contract negotiations. Throughout this time, the BLACKCAPS (the New Zealand cricket team) generally maintained a top-5 international ranking for both tests and one-day internationals.
During his own playing days, Martin represented the BLACKCAPS between 1980 and 1990, playing 25 tests and 93 one day internationals, and attending both the 1983 and 1987 Cricket World Cup events. The 1980s is regarded as having been a “golden era” for the national team. Martin also has a background in rugby having represented Auckland at U19 and U21 levels.
Martin’s family has a strong cricketing background. His grandfather played for New Zealand between 1914 and 1923, captaining the team in a number of those matches. Martin’s uncle played test cricket for New Zealand and his father played first class cricket for Auckland. The Snedden family also has a strong connection with Eden Park, New Zealand’s best-known sports venue. Martin’s great grandfather was part of a group who, at the start of the 20th century, purchased a block of swamp land in Sandringham, Auckland. That group drained and developed this site into the sports ground which they named Eden Park. The Snedden family were represented on the Eden Park Trust Board for most of the 20th century.
Martin is a qualified lawyer and worked in that capacity for 21 years, 11 years of that as a partner of a central-city Auckland firm.