My Time at Canterbury of New Zealand: From Rugby Fan to Product Manager

Working at Canterbury of New Zealand was an exciting chapter in my career that allowed me to immerse myself in the sport of rugby in a new way. As a lifelong rugby fan, stepping into the role of Product Manager for Rugby Performance Apparel was a dream come true. Over the course of my 1.5 years at Canterbury, I gained invaluable experience managing the entire product development process, from concept to execution, and working on some of the most iconic kits in rugby.

Taking on New Responsibilities
As the Product Manager for key rugby teams, including England, Ireland, Leinster, and Bath Rugby, I was responsible for overseeing product creation for these high-profile teams. The role was very similar to my initial position at Nike, but now as a product manager, I had more control over the product strategy and the day-to-day management of the entire process. This role tested my leadership skills and gave me the chance to refine my ability to manage the full product lifecycle while maintaining a focus on delivering high-performance, visually stunning apparel that would perform at the highest level of competition.

Working on Iconic Kits
One of the most rewarding projects I worked on at Canterbury was the 2017 British and Irish Lions kit. Being a rugby fan, this was a particularly special project for me. The Lions kit represents the pinnacle of rugby in the UK and Ireland, and it was an incredible experience to contribute to a product that would be worn by some of the best players in the world.

I was also heavily involved in the 2018 England and Ireland kits, as well as club kits for Bath Rugby and Leinster Rugby. Each kit was a reflection of the unique culture and performance needs of these teams, and I worked closely with design and development teams to ensure the final product met the highest standards in both function and style.

Innovative Design: Dazzle Camouflage
One of my proudest contributions was influencing the 2018 product direction, particularly the design concept inspired by dazzle camouflage. This concept, which originated during World War I for ships, was applied to rugby kit design to help players disguise their movements on the field, making it more difficult for opponents to track them and improve their ability to evade tackles. This innovative idea was a unique way of blending history with modern-day performance gear, and seeing it come to life in the final product was incredibly rewarding.

Leading the Process
This role was my first opportunity to manage the entire process of creating and launching a product. I was responsible for briefing the teams, managing timelines, and ensuring the entire calendar was adhered to. I learned to be highly disciplined, managing multiple stakeholders while ensuring the product was ready for market on time. One of my key achievements was improving the launch strategy for product drops. By adjusting the timing of the releases, I was able to spread the product launch throughout the year, increasing revenue and maximizing consumer engagement.

Adapting to a New Culture
Canterbury’s culture was very different from Nike’s, and adapting to that change was one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of my time there. Nike’s fast-paced, innovative environment had shaped much of my approach to work, and stepping into a more formal and structured company like Canterbury required me to adjust my mindset. While Nike was resource-rich and focused on constant innovation, Canterbury operated with fewer resources and a more traditional approach to business. I quickly realized the importance of discipline and process management, which led me to take the initiative in improving internal processes. I introduced new workflows that helped streamline operations and increased team efficiency.

Learning to Lead and Be Disciplined
Canterbury taught me to be more disciplined in my work and to lead by example. While my role at Nike had focused on collaboration across teams, at Canterbury, I took on the responsibility of leading projects from start to finish. The experience at Canterbury helped me refine my leadership style, balancing creativity with discipline to ensure that projects were not only innovative but also well-executed.

Key Takeaways:
Discipline and Leadership: I learned how to lead projects effectively, manage multiple stakeholders, and bring a product from concept to launch while maintaining a clear focus on timelines and goals.

Product Strategy and Design: The dazzle camouflage concept was just one example of how thinking outside the box can lead to a groundbreaking product that performs at the highest level.

Managing the Full Product Lifecycle: From concepting and design to launch strategy, I gained hands-on experience managing every aspect of product development and learned how to balance creativity with commercial viability.

Adapting to Change: Learning how to work in a more formal and structured environment allowed me to develop a deeper understanding of how to succeed in different corporate cultures, while still maintaining a focus on innovation and growth.

Driving Revenue through Strategic Product Launches: By adjusting the timing of product drops and improving forecasting, I was able to drive sales and enhance consumer engagement throughout the year.

Conclusion:
My time at Canterbury of New Zealand provided me with invaluable experience in managing high-profile rugby apparel, collaborating with world-class teams, and refining my leadership skills. I’m proud of the work we did on iconic kits like the 2017 British and Irish Lions kit and 2018 England and Ireland kits, and I’ll carry the lessons learned into my consultancy work today.

Canterbury not only taught me the importance of good design and innovation but also showed me how to balance creativity with the discipline needed to successfully lead projects and deliver outstanding results. These experiences continue to shape how I approach product strategy, merchandising, and brand development in my consultancy work, and I’m excited to bring these lessons to the brands I work with now.