Scarlets have welcomed former All Blacks captain Sean Fitzpatrick onto their Board.
Sean played 92 Tests at hooker for New Zealand between 1986 and 1997, leading the side on 51 occasions. A member of the All Blacks team that lifted the inaugural 1987 Rugby World Cup, he is recognised as one of the greats of the world game.
Now a respected media analyst and motivational speaker, he is chairman of the Laureus World Sport Academy and has been a board member at Gallagher Premiership club Harlequins since 2008.
Sean, who joins as a non-executive director and global ambassador, becomes the latest new member of the Scarlets Board following this week’s announcement that Simon Muderack is to take over the reins from Nigel Short as Executive Chairman.
“I’m hugely excited to be joining a club with such a rich history,” said Sean. “The tradition and the passion is so similar to New Zealand and the Scarlets is the closest to a New Zealand environment I have experienced, completely community based, with a total focus on the development of local talent and pride in their achievement.
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“The development structures are outstanding, that is shown by the number of Academy players who come through and earn senior contracts and also go on and win international honours, similarly with the coaching structures.
“As for the facilities at Parc y Scarlets, they are as good as I have seen anywhere around the world.
“I remember touring here; I played in the ’89 game at Stradey Park in the rain and gales and experienced that West Wales passion first hand. I also feel I have a personal connection with Welsh rugby, it is in my blood. My father played against Wales in the 1953 match — the last time Wales beat the All Blacks — and greats like Phil Bennett and Gareth Edwards were my childhood heroes.”
