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Chiefs Rugby is one of New Zealand’s leading professional rugby organisations. Behind the Gallagher Chiefs and Chiefs Manawa, the wider organisation drives the high performance, commercial, fan engagement and sponsorship functions that enable success on the field.
As the organisation grew, so did the demands on its people, systems and day-to-day operations. Simon Graafhuis, Chief Executive Officer of Chiefs Rugby, said the club had evolved from a simple structure into a broader, more complex operation, but has stayed grounded in one purpose and one club philosophy.
This case study outlines how IT Partners helped the Chiefs strengthen their technology foundations to support performance, improve security and prepare for the next stage of their digital journey.
The Chiefs operate in a demanding environment where on-field performance, commercial outcomes and stakeholder experience all matter. Behind every match is a broader operation made up of coaching, medical, analysis, events, operations and commercial teams, all relying on secure, dependable access to systems and data.
Before partnering with IT Partners, the organisation recognised there was room to improve its core technology environment. Earlier technology investment had not kept pace with the needs of the business, particularly as data and analytics became more important. As Simon put it, “our tech stack didn't keep pace.” He also noted, “I don't think we were up to standard in terms of cyber protection,” pointing to concerns around data loss, security and the resilience of the wider environment.
IT Partners worked closely with the Chiefs to understand the different needs across the organisation, from rugby operations travelling across Australasia to commercial teams managing sponsors, fans and events. That discovery phase helped shape a practical programme of work focused on the essentials first.
The engagement centred on:
· strengthening the network
· improving server and storage capability
· upgrading Wi-Fi
· gaining better visibility of connected devices
· lifting cyber security across the environment
Simon said, “they've [IT Partners] have taken time to work with us to understand our specific needs across the business.” He also described the recommendations as “both workable and actually affordable.” This approach allowed IT Partners to modernise the Chiefs’ core systems without disrupting day-to-day operations, helping the organisation build a stronger technology foundation while keeping staff productive.
The work completed so far has given the Chiefs greater confidence in the security, stability and usability of their technology environment. Teams can access the tools and data they need, while leadership has stronger assurance that the organisation’s information and intellectual property are better protected.
Just as importantly, the transition has been smooth for staff across the business. Simon summed it up clearly: “A little bit daunting to change providers, put new technology in. When you think of actually what we’ve done, there has been quite a lot.” He also said, “We’re pretty confident with the solutions we have in place at the moment.
IT Partners have been great in helping us work through and making sure we’ve got the right solutions for the right people.” That combination of stronger protection and minimal disruption has helped position the Chiefs for future digital initiatives, including better use of data, automation and AI.
Looking to modernise your technology environment without disrupting your team? Talk to IT Partners about building a secure, practical foundation for what’s next.
