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Nathan Godfrey

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Nathan Godfrey (born 13 September 1977) is an entrepreneur and sports executive best known as the former CEO of the Canterbury Rugby Union[1] in New Zealand and current General Manager at Football Australia. He is also a member of the 7 Continents Club.

Nathan Godfrey
Born (1977-09-13) September 13, 1977 (age 47)
Melbourne, Australia
EducationMBA, BCom, BPhEd
Occupation(s)CEO, GM, Director
EmployerFootball Australia
SpouseHeike Jensen (married 2016-present)
Children2

Education

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Godfrey attended the University of Otago where he studied bachelor degrees in Commerce and Education.[2][3] In 2018, he graduated with an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.

Career

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Canterbury Rugby Union CEO Nathan Godfrey watching a game of rugby in Christchurch, with his wife Australian Volleyball star Heike Jensen and their daughter.

Godfrey’s sports management career began in 2010 as an AFLPA accredited player agent before joining the Adelaide Crows in 2012 where he worked for 3 years. In early 2015, Godfrey relocated to New Zealand to take up a role as Head of Commercial at the Wellington Phoenix working closely with Football Australia to renew the A-League license and secure global partnerships.[4]

In December 2016, Godfrey was appointed Chief Executive Officer at the Canterbury Rugby Union[5] following in the footsteps of All Blacks CEO Steve Tew and Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach.[6][7]

Godfrey was an advocate for diversity and inclusion[8] and was instrumental in leading a high profile anti-discrimination campaign endorsed by the Human Rights Commission.[9][10]

Godfrey was vocal in supporting a new multi-purpose venue to replace the earthquake damaged stadium in Christchurch.[11][12][13] He also signed off on an investment in the Seattle Seawolves, a US-based rugby franchise, as part of a wider strategy to attract international fans and grow commercial revenue.[14]

Godfrey made a controversial decision to ignore the Crusaders and Canterbury Men’s teams who had both won their respective Championships, instead choosing to nominate the Canterbury Women’s Rugby Team for their inaugural success in 2017. The Canterbury Women's team went on to be named ‘Team of the Year’ at the 2018 Sports Awards[15][16] and subsequently won four New Zealand Championship titles in a row.[17][18][19]

In late 2018, Godfrey announced he was stepping down as CEO to return home to Australia with his young family.[20] Godfrey immediately entered the public sector as Director Programs & Operations at the NSW Government Office of Sport where he was responsible for grant funding, policy and regulation. He also sat on the National Board at the Duke of Edinburgh Award.[21]

Family

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Godfrey married Australian volleyball athlete Heike Jensen in 2016. They have two daughters and currently reside in the Adelaide Hills. Jensen is a Chartered Accountant and represented Australia on the FIVB World Tour between 2005-2012.[22]

Running

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Godfrey was a promising junior 400m sprinter and participated at the IAAF World U20 Track & Field Championships in 1996. He holds the student record of 48.53 seconds set at Christchurch Boys' High School in 1995.

Godfrey completed marathons in France, Japan, USA, Peru, South Africa, and Australia between 2008 and 2015. In 2018, he became a member of the 7 Continents Club finishing the Antarctica Marathon in 4 hours 54 minutes.[23]

In 2015, Godfrey founded the Kangaroo Island Marathon which is held annually in Flinders Chase National Park. The event has attracted thousands of runners representing 25 countries and was awarded a bronze medal at the South Australian Tourism Awards in 2021.[24] The business was acquired by international run travel agency Marathon Tours and Travel in 2024.[25][26][27]

TV

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Godfrey was a cast member on the inaugural season of Million Dollar Island; an adventure TV format hosted by SAS-star Ant Middleton and broadcast on the Seven Network in 2023.

Godfrey was a fan favourite and popular leader in his camp after winning $50,000 during an arena challenge on day six. The following night, Godfrey shocked fellow players and host Ant Middleton when he donated his bracelets to team mate Brett Krause in what was arguably the most strategic play in the game propelling Krause to a place in the final three.[28]

References

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  1. ^ "Departed CRFU boss Nathan Godfrey: 'I don't feel like I quit my job, my priority is to my family'". Stuff. 2018-09-13. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  2. ^ "Wellington Phoenix FC: Flying the Flag for New Zealand Football". The Australian Business Executive. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  3. ^ "Podcast: Crossing Sporting Codes & Continents with Nate Godfrey". PickStar Blog. 2018-05-17. Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  4. ^ "Wellington Phoenix secure A-League slot and Huawei sponsorship". Inside World Football. 2016-04-20. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  5. ^ "Wellington Phoenix's Nathan Godfrey joins Canterbury Rugby as new CEO". Stuff. 2016-12-02. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  6. ^ "Departing Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach: 'There is no magic drink on a Monday morning'". Stuff. 2018-08-31. Retrieved 2020-08-02.
  7. ^ "The changing face of Rugby Union – The Australian Business Executive | A Deeper Look at Business & Government". Retrieved 2020-10-28.
  8. ^ "JULIE PATTERSON APPOINTED NEW CRFU VICE-PRESIDENT". www.canterburyrugby.co.nz. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
  9. ^ Devoy, Susan (2017-05-04). "Devoy: Canterbury Rugby courageous in tackling racism - but this is just the start". Stuff. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  10. ^ McNamara, Lauren (2023-05-10). "DDB Aotearoa's CCO, Kantar and Gemba to speak at Mumbrella Sports Marketing Summit". Mumbrella. Retrieved 2023-06-07.
  11. ^ Columnist, Guest (2018-05-15). "The Influencers Column: Nathan Godfrey". Metropol. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  12. ^ "Labour announces $300m for Christchurch rebuild". Stuff. 2017-08-27. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  13. ^ "Canterbury rugby will not pay to help build a stadium in Christchurch". Stuff. 2017-05-18. Retrieved 2021-11-14.
  14. ^ "Crusaders purchase stake in US pro rugby franchise". www.rugbypass.com. 2018-02-13. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  15. ^ "Title-winning Crusaders not nominated by Canterbury Rugby for regional awards". Stuff. 2018-02-27. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  16. ^ "Canterbury women's rugby nomination ahead of the Crusaders was based 'on merit' rather than 'a political decision'". Stuff. 2018-02-28. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  17. ^ "Canterbury win fourth Dr Farah Palmer Cup". Scrum Queens. 2020-10-31. Retrieved 2021-01-19.
  18. ^ "Crusaders, Canterbury Rugby Acquire Minority Ownership of Seattle Seawolves". Seattle Seawolves. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  19. ^ djcoilrugby (2018-02-16). "Seattle Seawolves minority owners: Crusaders & Canterbury Rugby Union". djcoilrugby. Retrieved 2024-01-23.
  20. ^ "13 Sept 2018 - Godfrey puts family ahead of footy". www.crfu.co.nz. Retrieved 2020-10-26.
  21. ^ "National Board Directors – Dukeofed". Retrieved 2022-10-15.
  22. ^ "Beach Volleyball Database - Heike Jensen". bvbinfo.com. Retrieved 2024-06-11.
  23. ^ "Marathon - Finishers List - Marathon Tours and Travel". www.marathontours.com. 29 March 2023. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  24. ^ "2021 South Australian Tourism Awards Winners". Tourism Industry Council SA. Retrieved 2023-04-09.
  25. ^ Gary (2024-01-31). "Marathon Tours & Travel acquires Kangaroo Island Marathon in Australia". endurance.biz. Retrieved 2024-02-05.
  26. ^ "Marathon Tours & Travel acquires Kangaroo Island Marathon". Running Insights - Everything RUNNING. 2024-02-07. Retrieved 2024-02-17.
  27. ^ Kelly, Isabella. "Kangaroo Island Marathon takes next step".
  28. ^ "Million Dollar Island contestant stuns Ant Middleton with 'the shock of all shocks'". 7NEWS. 2023-06-14. Retrieved 2023-06-15.
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