Raelene Castle beats icon Phil Kearns to top job in Aussie rugby
SYDNEY: Former New Zealand Netball chief executive Raelene Castle has been named as Rugby Australia’s first female boss, becoming the first woman to take charge of one of the four main football codes in the country.
Castle, who left the Canterbury Bulldogs at the end of the National Rugby League season, pipped former Wallaby captain Phil Kearns for the role, according to local media.
“Raelene impressed the board with her vision and her clear understanding of what needs to be done to strengthen and unite (rugby) at all levels,” RA chairman Cameron Clyne said.
“In talking to Raelene, and those who have worked with her over her successful sports administration career, it is clear that she fosters environments of collaboration and high performance, always leading by example.”
Castle replaces Bill Pulver, who had said that he was stepping down as soon as a replacement could be found, and she faces a tough task trying to unify a sport that was riven by infighting and off-field controversy this year, notably over which team to cull from Super Rugby. The Perthbased Force were eventually dumped from the competition.
“There is no doubt Australian rugby has a clear international and domestic offering for both male and female athletes that can be further developed and strengthened,” Castle said.
“I am especially looking forward to getting out into the rugby communities across Australia and meeting the diverse range of people that make the game tick.”
A former corporate marketing and communications executive in New Zealand, Castle led the country’s national body for netball for six years before moving back to Australia to take over the Bulldogs in 2013. – Reuters