Kiwi takes charge of SANZAR
Tue, 24 Aug 2010 07:35
SANZAR, the joint venture between South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, on Tuesday appointed a New Zealander as the full-time CEO of the organisation.
Whilst the appointment of a Kiwi official will do little to placate South African fears of Australasian bias, the appointment of New Zealander Greg Peters is being hailed as "another step forward in the SANZAR evolution".
Peters, who has served as the CEO of the Hurricanes and Wellington Rugby Football Union since 2006, has previously led the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union and also worked for many years for the New Zealand Rugby Union.
He brings significant experience to the role including his time at the helm of the Hurricanes in Super Rugby, and his previous work on behalf of SANZAR in the role of Tournament Director and also managing broadcast contract negotiations in 2003 and 2004, while the SANZAR secretariat was managed by the NZRU.
Peters first started with the NZRU in 1998 and held a variety of roles with the organisation over the next eight years before taking charge of the Wellington Rugby Football Union and Hurricanes.
Current SANZAR Chairman Mike Eagle, also a New Zealand Rugby Union board member, said Peters was a great fit for SANZAR given his previous roles and SANZAR experience, and with his insight as CEO of one of the participating franchises in Super Rugby.
"SANZAR is in the midst of its largest transformation since its foundation with the expansion to 15 teams and a new conference-based model for Super Rugby, and the inclusion of Argentina from 2012 in a revamped Tri-Nations, so it's a vital time to evolve the off-field structures," Eagle said.
"Greg brings a wealth of relevant experience and is well respected not only in New Zealand but in rugby circles across SANZAR so we believe he is the right person to lead us in this exciting growth phase for rugby in the southern hemisphere."
Peters said he was looking forward to starting in his new role in November, which would give him time to fulfill his responsibilities with Wellington rugby.
He said: "I have really enjoyed my time with Wellington and the Hurricanes and it is always hard to leave a job that has been so rewarding and while there are still goals to achieve.
"However, it's rare to have an opportunity such as this one to lead a major rugby organisation through a significant growth phase.
"I am sure there will be challenges but that's what makes sport so compelling, and the strength of the SANZAR alliance and the major competitions speak for themselves.
"The Tri-Nations features the three top-ranked teams in world rugby and we are about to welcome Argentina who finished third in World Cup 2007.
"In Super Rugby, we have the world's most demanding cross-border provincial competition and that intensity is set to increase with the new conference model, so there is no more exciting time to get involved."
Peters, who will be based in Sydney, will start in his new role on November 1.
Contact Us | Terms and Conditions | Privacy Policy | Advertising
