Two Ōpōtiki rugby stalwarts have been elected to the board of the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union following its annual general meeting in Tauranga last week.

Chad Tuoro was elected to the board as a rugby director.

Mr Tuoro is the son of well-known locals Arihia and Butch Tuoro. He spent his primary schools years in Ōpōtiki before attending boarding school in Auckland at St Kentigern.

He had a successful provincial rugby career with Bay of Plenty and represented New Zealand in the national sevens team.

Paul Owen was appointed president for a two-year term.

Mr Owen has been an Ōpōtiki resident for over 40 years, running a dental practice until his retirement five years ago.

A long serving rugby administrator at club, sub union, and provincial level, Mr Owen most recently served 13 years on the rugby board, including seven years as chairman.

Another of Ōpōtiki’s rugby stalwarts and a lifelong resident, Kevin Hennessy, attended the AGM as part of the President’s Group comprising recent past presidents of the union.

As well as his stint as president, Mr Hennessy had a lengthy term as a director on the board.

He is well known in the district for his involvement as a volunteer fireman and as owner, with wife Glenys, of the Blue Moon Four Square.