Nelson said returning to rugby league felt like a natural homecoming.
“I’m thrilled and honoured to be entrusted with the role of chief executive of NZRL [New Zealand Rugby League].
“Being part of delivering the 2017 Rugby League World Cup in Aotearoa was a career highlight. While I’ve continued to work across sport since then, rugby league has always held a special place for me, so this in many ways feels like a homecoming,” she says.
“I am a huge believer in the power of sport to change lives for the better, and that sits at the heart of rugby league’s ‘More Than a Game’ kaupapa. Rugby league’s greatest strength has always been, and always will be, its people, and I look forward to working together to shape the future of the game.”
NZRL chair Justin Leydesdorff said the appointment panel was thrilled by the calibre of candidates for the role.
“Andrea brings an incredibly rare combination of strategic leadership, operational delivery and authentic passion for rugby league,” Leydesdorff said.
“She’s worked at the highest levels of governance and commercial sport and understands what it takes to grow organisations in complex environments. But equally as important to the code, she demonstrated a deep understanding of community sport and people.
“We wanted a leader who could sit across the table from the biggest decision-makers in international rugby league, but who would also happily pick up a tea towel at a local club on the East Coast. Andrea is that person.”