Eddie Tonks
Eddie Tonks CBE | |
|---|---|
| Chairman of the New Zealand Rugby Football Union | |
| In office 1990โ1995 | |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Edward James Tonks 30 December 1934 Wellington, New Zealand |
| Died | 19 October 2020 (aged 85) Wellington, New Zealand |
| Spouse |
Claire Suzanne Poulton
(m. 1958) |
| Children | 2 |
| Occupation | Businessman |
Edward James Tonks International Rugby Board (IRB).
Personal life
Tonks was born in
Wellington Technical College from 1948 to 1950.[2][3] In 1958, Tonks married Claire Suzanne Poulton, and the couple went on to have two children.[1]
Tonks died at his home in Wellington on 18 October 2020, aged 85.[4]
Career
As a businessman, Tonks had his own exporting company.Wellington Rugby Union between 1977 and 1989.[2][5] In 1986, Tonks was appointed to the board of the NZRFU, serving as deputy chair from 1988 to 1989, and then chair between 1990 and 1995.[5] He was also chair of the IRB for a time.[2] Tonks was closely involved in the organisation of the 1987 Rugby World Cup, as well as the transition of rugby union from an amateur to professional sport in 1996.[5]
In the
Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to rugby,[6] and in 2004 he was made a life member of New Zealand Rugby.[5]
References
- ^ ISSN 1172-9813.
- ^ a b c d "Ex-NZ Rugby chairman Eddie Tonks fought for the sport in amateur era". Stuff.co.nz. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
- ^ "Eddie Tonks interview". Wellington High School. 29 November 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
- The Dominion Post. 21 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d "NZR pays tribute to former cair Eddie Tonks". New Zealand Rugby. 20 October 2020. Retrieved 21 October 2020.
- ^ "No. 53154". The London Gazette (2nd supplement). 31 December 1992. p. 30.
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