# Nathan Godfrey

Nathan Godfrey (born 13 September 1977) is a sports executive best known as the former CEO of the Canterbury Rugby Union in New Zealand and current General Manager of the Australian Championship at Football Australia. He is also a member of the 7 Continents Club and founder of the Kangaroo Island Marathon.

## Education

Godfrey attended the University of Otago where he studied bachelor's degrees in commerce and education. In 2019, he graduated with an MBA from the Australian Institute of Business.

## Career

Godfrey’s sports management career began in 2010 as an AFLPA accredited player agent before joining the Adelaide Crows in 2012 where he worked for 3 years overseeing non-traditional revenue strategy. In early 2015, Godfrey relocated to New Zealand to take up a role as Head of Commercial at the Wellington Phoenix working closely with Football Australia to renew the A-League license and secure global partnerships.
In December 2016, Godfrey was appointed Chief Executive Officer at the Canterbury Rugby Union following in the footsteps of All Blacks CEO Steve Tew and Crusaders CEO Hamish Riach.
Godfrey was instrumental in leading a high-profile anti-discrimination campaign endorsed by the Human Rights Commission. He was also responsible for introducing the Blue Card Concussion Initiatives (BCCI) under a trial that was later rolled out nationally by New Zealand Rugby.
Godfrey was vocal in lobbying the Ardern Government and Christchurch City Council for investment in a new multi-purpose venue to replace the earthquake damaged stadium in Christchurch. He also signed off on an investment in the Seattle Seawolves, a US-based rugby franchise, as part of a wider strategic alliance to attract international visitors and grow commercial revenue.
Godfrey endorsed a controversial decision to snub the Crusaders and Canterbury Men’s teams who had both won their respective titles, instead supporting a nomination for the Canterbury Women’s team following their inaugural success in 2017 after five previous finals losses. The Canterbury Women went on to be named ‘Team of the Year’ at the 2018 Sports Awards and subsequently won four New Zealand Championship titles in a row.
In late 2018, after a brief study sabbatical to complete his MBA thesis, Godfrey announced he was stepping down as CEO to return home to Australia with his young family. He immediately entered the public sector as Director Programs & Operations at the NSW Government Office of Sport and was responsible for grant programs, regulation and policy development, and service operations. He also sat on the National Board at the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
In 2023, Godfrey commenced a role as GM National Second Tier (NST) at Football Australia. The NST, often referred to as the National Second Division, is a new professional structure established to connect the Australian football pyramid. Godfrey led a Request for Proposal selection process that identified eight foundation clubs. In late 2024, Football Australia announced a 16-team Champions’ League competition format and start date before unveiling the Australian Championship brand in 2025.

## Family

Godfrey married Australian volleyball athlete Heike Jensen in 2016. They have two children and currently reside in the Adelaide Hills. Jensen is a Chartered Accountant and represented Australia on the FIVB World Tour between 2005-2012.

## Running

Godfrey was a promising junior 400m runner and participated at the IAAF World U20 Track & Field Championships in 1996. He also holds the student record of 48.53 seconds set at Christchurch Boys' High School in 1995.
Godfrey completed marathons in France, Japan, USA, Peru, South Africa, and Australia between 2008 and 2015. In 2018, he became a member of the 7 Continents Club finishing the Antarctica Marathon in 4 hours 51 minutes.
In 2015, Godfrey founded the Kangaroo Island Marathon which is held annually in Flinders Chase National Park. The event has attracted thousands of runners representing 25 countries and was awarded a bronze medal at the South Australian Tourism Awards in 2021. The business was acquired by international run travel agency Marathon Tours and Travel in 2024.

## TV

Godfrey was a cast member on the inaugural season of Million Dollar Island; an adventure TV format hosted by SAS-star Ant Middleton and broadcast on the Seven Network in 2023.
Godfrey was a fan favorite and popular leader in his camp after winning $50,000 during an arena challenge on day six. The following night, Godfrey shocked fellow players and host Ant Middleton when he donated his bracelets to team-mate Brett Krause in what was arguably the most strategic play in the game propelling Krause to a place in the final 3.