Perth Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie Steps Down Ahead of NRL Entry

Perth Bears CEO, Anthony De Ceglie has officially stepped down from his role, marking a leadership transition for the National Rugby League expansion franchise during its crucial start-up phase.

The timing of the departure arrives as the Perth Bears continue constructing their inaugural roster and operational governance ahead of entering the league.

Reflecting on his departure, De Ceglie highlighted the progress achieved by the executive team and staff over the past year.

“I’m extremely proud of what the hard-working Perth Bears team has achieved in the past year.”

“I have no doubt that the Perth Bears will continue to grow and grow, and become a behemoth of the national sporting stage.

“The Perth Bears have a professional and dedicated executive leadership team supported by very talented group of committed staff.

“The club is in exceptional hands under the leadership of Head Coach Mal Meninga and Assistant Coach Ben Gardiner.

“Getting to work alongside both of them for the past year has been one of the greatest highlights of my professional life,” De Ceglie said.

De Ceglie also acknowledged key administrative and commercial stakeholders who supported the club’s establishment.

“I’m extremely grateful for the opportunity and would like to thank ARLC executive chairman Peter V’landys; whom I have the utmost respect for as an administrator, businessman and human.”

“I would also like to thank all of our major partners and our affiliates who helped the Perth Bears grow so successfully and so exponentially.

“I would like to thank the Perth Bears Board too and wish them all the best moving forward.

“Finally, and most importantly, I would like to thank the fans both in Western Australia and North Sydney.

“They are – and will always be – what matters most.”

Praising De Ceglie’s contribution to the club’s foundational success, Perth Bears chair, Ben Morton, said: “I thank Anthony for his leadership of the Perth Bears in our startup phase and we will now turn our attention to the leadership of our organisation as we enter the next phase of our story.”

“Under Anthony’s leadership, in our start-up phase the Perth Bears have secured record commercial partnership agreements, launched our merchandise range, successfully welcomed more than 20,000 people as our Foundation Members, progressed key infrastructure programs and most importantly recruited what will be a competitive on field team,” Morton stated.

De Ceglie, who was appointed to lead the club’s commercial and operational setup ahead of its entry into the competition, oversaw the initial launch, foundation membership drives, commercial partnership acquisitions, and infrastructure foundations.

During his tenure, the franchise secured major corporate sponsors, released its merchandise range, and surpassed twenty thousand foundation members while establishing its high-performance football framework alongside Head Coach Mal Meninga and Assistant Coach Ben Gardiner.

GM of Football, Gareth Holmes, has been appointed to assume the responsibilities of CEO, on an interim basis while the board completes its search for a permanent successor.

Further announcements regarding executive management and organizational leadership are expected over the coming days as the club finalises its commercial and operational preparations.

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