Our Team — Sense Rugby NZ

JO ALLEN
General Manager

Jo is a Paediatric Occupational Therapist with experience in clinical, management and strategic areas of child health and disability. She has a passion for ensuring tamariki and rangatahi with additional barriers are supported to access health and disability services. She has described the opportunity to lead Sense Rugby as 'once in a lifetime'.

Jo is motivated to continue to build on the momentum SRNZ has built by listening to communities and enabling the Sense Rugby kaimahi to continue the amazing work they do. Jo lives in Porirua with her husband and two tamariki and in her spare time loves to read, be with whānau and spend time in the ngāhere.

ERIN RAYNER
Board Member

Erin is an experienced Paediatric Occupational Therapist, who moved home to Aotearoa in 2019. After delivering Sense Rugby groups in Australia for a couple of years and experiencing the joy that engaging in the programme brought to many young people, with the help from Jesse and Carlien (Sense Rugby founders), Erin helped to establish the Sense Rugby (New Zealand) Trust in 2020.

One of Erin’s key passions is to bring her love of helping young people through learning, play and movement into the community. Her skills on and off the field ensure that Sense Rugby is an inclusive, engaging and supportive opportunity for disabled tamariki and rangatahi, and for whānau to connect. Erin looks forward to continuing to work hard to ensure Sense Rugby continues to increase its reach, and be more accessible across all of Aotearoa.

DAVID GORDON
Board Member

David sits on a number of not-for-profit boards, all aimed at helping tamariki and rangatahi thrive, whether that's through education or access to equitable participation opportunities. Having played rugby (socially, at a much younger age!) He is clear on the social, physical and wellbeing benefits of participating, and is passionate about Sense Rugby's commitment to removing barriers to participation, ensuring tamariki and rangatahi have access to inclusive sporting opportunities.

LAWRENCE STOREY
BOARD MEMBER

Lawrence brings extensive experience across sport, events and strategic consulting, helping organisations turn ambition into clear plans for growth, sustainability and impact. As Partner at Storied, he works with senior leadership teams and boards to develop multi-year business and revenue strategies for national and regional sporting organisations and regional sports trusts.

His previous roles include Head of Strategy at Duco Events, alongside advisory work with the NRL and Rugby League World Cup 2017. Lawrence previously served for five years on the Board of Changing Minds, a national lived-experience-led mental health and addiction organisation. He joined the Sense Rugby Board because he believes structured, inclusive sport can build confidence, connection and wellbeing for tamariki and rangatahi.

MELISSA MORONEY
Treasurer

Melissa brings a unique blend of financial expertise, passion for sport and a deep personal connection to the cause of Sense Rugby. As a qualified Chartered Accountant with a background in rugby administration, Melissa is passionate about the sustainable growth of Sense Rugby to ensure the programme allows tamariki and rangatahi of all abilities and backgrounds the opportunity to thrive through sport.

Her role as Finance Manager of Rugby World Cup 2021 established Melissa as a valued leader and trusted advisor, from the uncertainty of the event’s postponement through to a sell out final match at Eden Park. Melissa’s experience navigating challenges and maintaining financial stability are important attributes she brings as Treasurer on the Sense Rugby Board.

CHARLOTTE BOWERMAN
BOARD MEMBER

Charlotte has spent the 11 years working in commercial advertising across TVNZ, MediaWorks and most recently QMS, building strategic partnerships and driving growth across New Zealand’s media landscape.

Based in Auckland, she is also a proud mum of two young children and has strong grassroots rugby affiliations through East Coast Bays Rugby on the North Shore. Charlotte feels incredibly privileged to contribute to Sense Rugby and support its future growth, helping the organisation continue to create positive impact for more families and communities across New Zealand.

SCOTT CHERRY
Chairperson

Scott brings over 15 years of experience in sport across New Zealand and the UK, with a focus on strategy, planning, and project management. Known for creating effective strategies and driving aligned, impactful delivery, he has a deep understanding of how to turn vision into action. A passionate rugby player for 30 years, Scott has seen first-hand the power of rugby to unite communities and change lives. He joined the Sense Rugby NZ Board to ensure more people with disabilities have access to the positive, meaningful experiences that rugby has to offer.

VANESSA RAYNER
Board Member

Vanessa has unique mix of strategic, operational and people leadership skills which have developed through extensive experience in public sector balance sheet and risk management, policy development and governance in New Zealand and Australia. She is a compassionate and inclusive leader who strongly supports the mahi of Sense Rugby and loves to get involved on the ground as much as possible too.

CLAIRE STASIEWICZ
BUSINESS SUPPORT CO-ORDINATOR

Claire started her Sense Rugby journey as a volunteer before joining the whānau in 2026. She brings a passion for inclusive sport and a deep belief in the power of neuro-affirming spaces. Claire is committed in helping to grow Sense Rugby’s reach across Aotearoa so that more tamariki and rangatahi can experience the joy of Sense in their local community.

Alongside Sense Rugby mahi Claire works as a Speech and Language Therapist supporting tamariki with communication, connection and confidence.

Meet the team.