Gould departs with Warriors’ blessing
The Bulldogs have appointed Phil Gould as general manager of football with the Warriors’ blessing after the New Zealand club reduced his role due to challenges around the Covid19 pandemic.
The former Panthers head of football coached Canterbury to their 1988 grand final win and rejoins the club where he played 40 first-grade games in a senior role aimed at helping them get back on track.
Speaking on Channel Nine on Friday night, Gould said his new job was an “all-encompassing role” and he aimed to build junior participation, links to country rugby league and tap into the rapidly-growing female participation.
“I had an approach initially from the Bulldogs before Magic Round,” he said. “At the time, I politely declined it because of what the Warriors were doing and what my role was there.
“I’d spoken to the Warriors owner Mark Robinson, who’s a tremendous man, he and Cameron George, the CEO. I’d been feeling guilty, because of Covid, the things I wanted to do with the Warriors were impossible.”
Gould said he had a call from his manager on Thursday night and spoke to the Warriors on Friday morning to gain their blessing before accepting the offer from Canterbury.
“It’s now just about building relationships within the club and me getting an understanding of who’s working there and what they bring to the Bulldogs.”
The Warriors cited difficulties around the Covid pandemic as the reason for reducing Gould’s role at the club and provided their blessing for him to take up a position elsewhere.
Gould was appointed to a consultancy role by the Warriors last August but the pandemic drastically limited his ability to travel to New Zealand and provide input into the club’s pathways.
Warriors chief executive Cameron George said Gould was free to take a role with another NRL club with the Warriors’ support.
The reduction in Gould’s role was due to uncertainty created by the Covid-19 pandemic and its restrictions on travel and the NRL bubble, according to George.
“It’s hugely disappointing but it has been extremely difficult if not impossible for Gus [Gould] to provide us with his presence, either in New Zealand or in our NRL bubble in Australia,” George said.
“He’ll continue to offer advice to our pathways staff on request, which will allow him to commit to work closer to home in Sydney without the challenges we’re experiencing.
“Gus has been great to work with in his time at our club, and even though he has been restricted in his presence, he has helped us immensely.”