Well-travelled administrator Greg Peters has today been confirmed as the New Zealand Rugby League’s new chief executive.
Peters’ experience as a successful sports administrator spans 20 years including five years as the Sydney-based CEO of SANZAR, two years with the Argentine Rugby Union as general manager role, four years as Hurricanes and Wellington Rugby Union CEO and eight years working for the New Zealand Rugby Union in various roles involving the grass roots and professional game.
Originally hailing from Canterbury but also spending a number of years in Waikato and Wellington, Peters returned to Wellington from Argentina in 2016. As part of his new role Peters will relocate to Auckland, joining the NZRL in mid-June following the board’s 2018 annual meeting on 18 June.
The Castle review conducted at the conclusion of the Kiwis’ 2017 Rugby League World Cup campaign identified “a need for knowledge, expertise, understanding, leadership and capability at the high performance sport level and at the CEO position.” Based on these recommendations, the NZRL board brought in Global Elite Sports to assist with recruitment.
New Zealand Rugby League chairman Reon Edwards says Peters’ appointment is exciting for the organisation.
“When it comes to leading high performance organisations to the top, Peters has the resume and experience to prove he is the one to lead the New Zealand Rugby League into a new era,” he said.
“Our game requires a strong, resilient leader who understands the nuances of grassroots sports and the connection with our community, while having the leadership qualities and commercial skills to grow the NZRL brand.
“Greg’s CV speaks for itself. He is a proven CEO with plenty of experience at provincial and international level. He’s now excited about the prospect of applying his vast experience to a game he follows as a fan and has huge respect for.
“With the recent appointment of Michael Maguire as Kiwis head coach, and now with Greg set to lead the organisation, I believe we have leaders with the capability to implement the necessary systems and processes that will drive NZRL into the future.
“Our rugby league community expects that we represent the NZRL values of integrity, respect, leadership, courage and passion to the highest standard, and Greg does so in the most humble fashion.”
As an avid supporter of sport and its societal impact, Peters understands that the success of a high performing sporting organisation is the result of several different factors.
“High performance sport is not just about what happens on the field – it’s the whole organisation from grassroots to the elite,” he said.
“While my experience has predominantly been in rugby union, the fundamentals of leading a sports organisation to succeed are transferrable and my focus now is getting the NZRL to reach new heights.
“I know New Zealanders are passionate about their rugby league and if we re-establish trust in the NZRL brand, we can re-position rugby league in the hearts and minds of the wider community.
“Rugby league has the power to galvanise, unite and inspire communities in a way that few other sports can.”
GREG PETERS
2017 | Forefront Sports and media consultant
2015-2016 | General manager, Argentina Rugby Union
2010-2015 | CEO, SANZAR
2006-2010 | CEO, Wellington Rugby and Hurricanes
2003-2006 | Broadcasting renewal project manager, NZRU
2001-2003 | General manager support services, NZRU
2000-2001 | General manager, game development, NZRU
1998-2000 | Amateur rugby manager, NZRU
1997-1998 | CEO, Bay of Plenty Rugby Football Union
