Taranaki Rugby and New Plymouth Old Boys volunteer Sue Mitchell epitomised what it meant to be a rugby supporter in the truest sense, according to Taranaki Rugby Football Union’s Chief Executive Laurence Corlett.

Mitchell died on Monday night following a short illness and is being remembered by the Taranaki rugby community.

She worked as Taranaki Rugby’s secretary in the 1980s and 1990s when the game was purely amateur, operating as a two-person band.

Latterly, Mitchell served on the Taranaki Rugby Judicial Committee, sat on the Rugby Operations Advisory Board, organised the Union’s ‘Old Timers Days’ and was named Taranaki Rugby’s Volunteer of the Year in 2019, a small snapshot of her contributions to our game. 

At New Plymouth Old Boys, where she had a close connection to, she took on every position possible, apart from coaching, that included being the President at the time of the club’s 100^th jubilee celebrations last year.

“She worked hard over many years for the betterment of rugby in Taranaki, both at club and provincial level. Our thoughts go out to her whanau,” Corlett said.

“We will miss her on the sideline, in the clubrooms and as a friend of Taranaki rugby.”

Taranaki Rugby Chairman Lindsay Thomson said Mitchell was nominated for Life Membership of Taranaki Rugby, which was to be ratified at the recently postponed Annual General Meeting of the Union.

“Sue will be a great loss for the NPOB club and Taranaki Rugby. She has been the mainstay of both organisations are various times. Sue exemplified what it meant to volunteer to ensure the game she loved continued to flourish. She will be greatly missed,” he said.

Taranaki Community Rugby Manager Cole Brown said the rugby community lost a ‘legend’.

“Sue’s contribution to the province over her lifetime was immeasurable and she is undoubtedly one of the true greats of our sport.

“Sue’s impact on the community will leave a lasting impression. Her dedication to Taranaki Rugby and the New Plymouth Old Boys Rugby Club will be sadly missed. The thoughts of the entire rugby community are with the Mitchell family as we sadly mourn the loss of a truly remarkable lady.”

An application for Taranaki Rugby life membership had been made to honour her dedication, it quoted that: "Mitchell took in new players to her place for meals and every club needs a Sue.”

She is survived by her husband John, children Kirsty, Phil and Hamish along with their respective partners and own children.

Article added: Thursday 16 April 2020