Steve Dunbar will swap a round ball for an oval one when he takes up his new role as Match Services Manager with Rugby New Zealand 2011 in January.

Steve is currently the Operations Director for the FIFA Under 17 Women's World Cup being staged in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington and Christchurch in October and November of this year.

His new role will bring him back into the rugby fold having been CEO of the highly successful NZI Sevens tournament, held annually in Wellington, for several years. Steve was a key figure in the event's growth into arguably the best sevens tournament in the world. During a tenure of eight years with the Wellington Rugby Football Union, Steve was heavily involved in the planning and delivery of All Blacks Test matches, Super Rugby and domestic rugby fixtures and was also co-opted to help compile New Zealand's successful bid to host Rugby World Cup 2011.

Steve's primary role with RNZ 2011 will be to assist with the delivery of the core operational requirements for the Tournament. This will include the provision of support to venues, provincial unions and other key organisations in relation to match delivery.