Ray Haffenden

Haffenden coached Canterbury in 1982 and again from 1984, stepping down in 1988 with 20 wins, 4 draws and 12 losses.^[4] During this time he also coached the South Island.

In 1989 and 1990 he coached the Junior Kiwis, including a tour of Papua New Guinea. Haffenden also managed the New Zealand national rugby league team in 1990 and 1991 under coach Bob Bailey, who he had challenged for the position.^[2] He continued to manage the Kiwis under Frank Endacott until 1995.^[5]

Haffenden was voted onto the New Zealand Rugby League board in 1992, serving until 1995.^[6]

Haffenden later served on the judiciary for Bartercard Cup games and the New Zealand Rugby League judiciary panel. Haffenden is also a life member of the Linwood Keas club in Christchurch.^[5]

He was elected back onto the NZRL board and took over as chairman in November 2007.^[7] As chairman Haffenden took over in a time of turmoil and oversaw a SPARC review of the NZRL that led to its revamp in 2009. Haffenden's term as chairman ended with the restructure, however he was elected as the vice-chairman.^[1][8] Haffenden was part of the independent judiciary following the 2011 Bill Kelly Test match.^[9]

In the 2017 Queen's Birthday Honours, Haffenden was appointed a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to rugby league.^[10]