Mick Watson

Mick Watson (born 1966 in Sydney) is an Australian businessman and the director of sports at Rangitoto College.[1]

Early life

Watson attended Marist Brothers Parramatta in Sydney's western suburbs, representing the school in cricket, rugby league, athletics and swimming.

Between 1986 and 1992, Watson was employed by Coca-Cola, moving through the ranks of marketing and sales. From 1992 to 1998 Watson was with Pepsi Cola, working with athletes, creating sports sponsorship and he was also responsible for sports and event marketing.[2]

He joined Kellogg's in 1998 after working for 12 years within the 'Cola Wars'. He was responsible for re-engineering sports properties and helping Kellogg's deliver their business plan for the first time in 19 years.[3]

New Zealand Warriors

In November 2000, Watson was appointed chief executive officer of the New Zealand Warriors, shortly after chairman Eric Watson purchased the New Zealand licence to compete in the National Rugby League.[4]

Watson was involved with the club when they made the finals series of the NRL for 3 consecutive years (2001, 2002 and 2003).[5][6][7] Under his leadership the club secured its first title, winning the J.J. Giltinan Shield for the minor premiership in 2002. The same year the Warriors made its NRL Grand Final for the first time.[8]

Watson resigned from the Warriors at the end of the 2005 season.[9]

Warriors' majority shareholder Eric Watson said Watson had played a huge role in rebuilding the club. "When we had problems in 2004, Mick had to remove himself from Cullen Sports projects and come back into the rugby league business," he said.[10] During Watson's time at the Warriors, the club reached the NRL finals for the first time in their history (2001), repeated the feat the next two seasons and, in 2002, also won the minor premiership and made the grand final for the first time but in the past two years he has fallen out with leading media outlets for periods.[11]

Boxing

Watson created the Cullen Sports boxing division which includes New Zealand Heavyweight Shane Cameron (former IBF Australasian, IBF Pan Pacific).[11]

In 2007 Watson and former Rugby League star Monty Betham formed WAAAM Boxing and created Dodge Fight Night.[12] A professional Boxing event that was broadcast live on TVNZ in New Zealand and delayed to Australia and Samoa. WAAAM Boxing promoted Anthony Mundine, Steven Heremia, Tyrone Brunson, Peter Kariuki and Mohammed Azzaiouii.[13][14]

Other work

During his tenure as CEO Cullen Sports,[15] Watson wrote and created Prime's first NZ produced product – The Tem Show, starring Temuera Morrison.[16] Watson was appointed ambassador for Auckland Cancer Society in 2001 and 2002. In his role he helped launch the inaugural Relay for Life fundraising event.

It has been stated that The Tem Show could be renewed for a second season nearly a decade on, however Temuera Morrison has dismissed this speculation to date.

Views on Immigration

In an interview with the New Zealand Listener, Watson railed against Asian immigration into Australia. He said "as an Australian living here [New Zealand] and with the full intention of staying here, [I say] beware immigration. Just look towards Australia [and what has happened there since] opening the floodgates to South-east Asia. Look at the growing population … of crime, cultures that refuse to accept your culture." Watson, according to the Listener, felt that Asian immigrants had 'ruined' Sydney, and would hate the same to happen to Auckland.[17]

References
  1. Cleaver, Dylan (16 January 2010). "Watson to take charge of sport at college". New Zealand Herald. APN Holdings NZ Limited. Retrieved 12 March 2010.
  2. Jessup, Peter (25 August 2005). "League: More upheaval at Warriors as Watson goes". nzherald. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  3. "League: Mick Watson regrets the high life". nz herald. 30 April 2005. Retrieved 11 September 2012.
  4. Rotherham, Fiona (1 December 2002). "The Warriors' make-over". www.sharechat.co.nz. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  5. Jessup, Peter (17 August 2001). "Rugby league: Warriors finally winning respect". NZ Herald. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  6. "Warriors thank fans with free tickets". www.abc.net.au. 24 September 2003. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  7. Bradford, Gillian (3 October 2002). "The latest Kiwi heroes". web.archive.org. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  8. Taylor, Phil (30 April 2005). "League: Mick Watson regrets the high life". NZ Herald. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  9. Jessup, Peter (24 August 2005). "League: More upheaval at Warriors as Watson goes". NZ Herald. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  10. "Watson resigns from Warriors". TVNZ – One News. Retrieved 24 August 2005.
  11. "Chris Rattue: In murk and muck it's always Mick". The New Zealand Herald. 1 March 2006. Retrieved 6 October 2012.
  12. "Monty camp eye bout on Holyfield card". stuff.co.nz. Sunday News. 5 August 2007.
  13. Wheatley, Ray (30 April 2007). "Mundine to Defend in New Zealand". www.boxingforum.com. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  14. "World rated cruiserweight Mohamed Azzaoui". web.archive.org. 7 July 2011. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  15. Rattue, Chris (25 February 2004). "Murdoch link to Pacific plan". NZ Herald. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  16. "Tem Morrison to star on small screen". The New Zealand Herald. 20 December 2003.
  17. Smith, Nick (14 August 2004). "Foreign Culture". The New Zealand Listener.
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