Avan Lee moves from World Sevens to become new Hurricanes Chief Executive

The Wellington Hurricanes Super Rugby franchise have named World Rugby's Sevens General Manager Avan Lee as its new Chief Executive.

New Zealander Lee will take up the post in June after finishing his Ireland-based role as World Rugby General Manager of Sevens.

The 41-year-old will replace James Te Puni, who is ending four years in post as Chief Executive of the Hurricanes and the Wellington Rugby Football Union (WRFU). The roles are being split as the result of a three-month internal review completed in February.

Lee takes over the commercially-focused Hurricanes role, while a WRFU Chief Executive, who will focus on the community and club game, is expected to be announced in the near future.

Lee worked for the Northland Rugby Union before holding various positions with the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) from 2007 to 2012 – including time as Chairman of the Wellington Sevens in 2011 and 2012 - then spent one year as a Commercial Manager at World Rugby before shifting into the World Sevens role in mid-2013.

In a statement, Lee advised that the Hurricanes top job is the one of few he would be prepared to move home for, explaining "I have a strong desire to lead the Hurricanes forward, and that includes balancing the commercial imperatives of professional sport with player welfare, to ensure the club continues to perform at a high standard.”

The role of Hurricane’s Chief Executive will have a strong commercial focus and developing a sustainable structure, with the commercial side of Wellington rugby in need of attention after the union recorded a $750,000 financial loss in 2014.

Officially the WRFU advise that their difficulties arise from a commercial arrangement agreed in 2010, that sees the province paying a fee of $3 million a year to the event's licence holders, the NZRU, over a five- year period from 2012 to 2016.

7s Wellington previously generated $1 million a year banker for the province, which Lee was Chairman of for the 2011 and 2012 tournaments. However, falling crowds in recent years have seen the event become a burden - with the loss of Lee's skills and considerable knowledge of the financial side of rugby being as a factor.

The losses led to former WRFU Chairman Tony Duffin stepping down from his role in December last year.

Commenting on the challenges ahead, Lee added “we do need to look at the commercial side of the business and how we can get more people in behind the Hurricanes, both sponsors and fans."

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