The Rugby Union Players’ Association congratulates the NSW Waratahs on the appointment of outgoing RUPA Chief Executive Officer, Greg Harris as the new Chief Executive Officer of the Waratahs from 2 March 2015.
Mr Harris began his tenure as RUPA CEO in August 2010. During this time he has been a passionate advocate for improvements in rugby’s administration and growth, having most notably played pivotal roles in the settlement of a fourth Collective Bargaining Agreement and the creation of the National Rugby Championship (NRC).
Prior to his role at RUPA, Mr Harris had established a successful professional career across a diverse range of portfolios within the sporting industry, including Executive Director of Sydney University Sport, Chairman of the National Rugby League Education and Welfare Committee and Chief Executive Officer of the Western Force and Rugby WA.
RUPA Chairman, Bruce Hodgkinson SC said whilst his influence at the Player’s Association would be missed, his selection as CEO of the Waratahs is a true recognition of his ability and qualities.
“Greg’s record speaks for itself. As a respected and key figure within Australian rugby, Greg has had an enormous impact on the reinvention and repositioning of RUPA,” Mr Hodgkinson said.
“He is undoubtedly one of the country’s finest sports administrators so this is a great appointment for the whole of rugby.
“On behalf of RUPA, I’d like to thank Greg for his service to the players and wish him all the best with his new endeavours at the Waratahs.”
Mr Harris said he was looking forward to working with the team at the Waratahs.
“Having previously served as the CEO of the Western Force and during my time at RUPA I have been intimately involved with a collective of critical issues affecting the game in Australia. I would like to think that I can continue to have a strategic input into matters which affect the Waratahs and the game as a whole,” Mr Harris said.
“In my time with the Players’ Association we have been able to collaboratively engage with the Rugby Bodies in order to address issues which directly and indirectly affect the interests of the players. I feel that I leave RUPA knowing that the organisation is in a better space and has a better culture as a result of my time as CEO.
“I would like to acknowledge and thank the RUPA Chairman, Bruce Hodgkinson SC, and other members of the RUPA Board who I have had the pleasure of working with during my time at the Player’s Association, including current President, Benn Robinson and former Presidents, Adam Freier and Adam Wallace-Harrison.
“The intellectual capacity and the ethics of the current Board, and the RUPA staff, in particular, Deputy CEO Ross Xenos, will no doubt ensure that RUPA continues to play a major strategic role in the game in Australia. The interests of the players and the game are in good hands.”
Current RUPA Deputy CEO, Ross Xenos, will assume the role of RUPA CEO following Mr Harris’ departure.
