New Canterbury NPC Assistant Coach Named

Marty Bourke joins Reuben Thorne and Mark Brown as Canterbury NPC Assistant Coach.

Fresh ideas, a new way of looking at things, and a hunger to grow and develop has seen Marty Bourke head off a host of others to be named Canterbury men’s new attack coach alongside Reuben Thorne and Mark Brown for the next two years of Bunnings Warehouse NPC rugby.

Bourke, who was one of the masterminds behind the Bay of Plenty Steamers attack for the past two seasons, is currently in charge of the same department for Major League Rugby side Rugby United New York and is scheduled to arrive in Christchurch in early July.

“I was really blown away when I went for the interview, just how valued people are by the organisation and how connected everyone seems to be about the game, whether it’s the receptionist speaking about club rugby on the weekend to the professional end with Reuben and Brownie, there was something that felt really right about Canterbury Rugby,” said Bourke.

“We’re really excited to have Marty on board,” said Coach Reuben Thorne.

“We had a number of quality applicants, but Marty stood out and came highly recommended. Once we got to know him a bit more, both Brownie and I could see why.”

Mark Brown added, “we felt Marty’s commitment right off the bat, he jumped on a plane and came and met with us for the interview, he could have done that over zoom, but really wanted to get down and connect with us in person and that speaks volumes of the type of person Marty is.”

Bourke’s young family will join him in Christchurch following the end of the school year. “I was the kid that grew up down at the Taradale Rugby Club in Hawke's Bay and even now I love to get involved with community rugby, helping players and coaches grow. I think that is where we can have some really good results in years to come. So yeah, our plan is to be in boots and all and really entrench ourselves in everything rugby in Canterbury,” Bourke added.

Bourke, a former Procurement Advisor with the Ministry of Social Development (MSD) says his desire to learn and experience new things was what first led him to New York and ultimately his interest in Canterbury as well. “Canterbury has been the benchmark for years, so to get the opportunity to be a part of that and develop my career while I get the chance to work with and develop the talent in Canterbury, something I’m really passionate about, will be an awesome opportunity for me.”

Bourke will link up with the squad when they assemble in the second week of July ahead of preseason games against Tasman in Hanmer Springs on July 23 and Otago on July 29 in Timaru.