Ex-NRL judiciary chair Paul Conlon is new NSWRL boss
Scott Bailey |
Former NRL judiciary chairman Paul Conlon is the new chairman of the NSW Rugby League in the latest step away from last year’s political upheaval.
Conlon was on Wednesday voted into the role of the club’s independent director, days after Sydney Roosters chief executive Joe Kelly also joined the board.
Their appointments come after powerful duo Nick Politis and George Peponis quit the board last year, furious Cronulla CEO Dino Mezzatesta had been told he could not run due to a supposed conflict of interest.
That had sparked a year-long feud between the NSWRL and ARL Commission, which included a Supreme Court case and appeal as the game descended into a civil war.
Funding was at one stage stopped as the NRL pushed for a re-election, and while it was reestored relations between head office and the state body have remained fractured.
But there is a genuine hope from existing board members that Conlon and Kelly’s appointments can change that.
Conlon served as the NRL’s judiciary chairman for eight years, before he quit the role in 2014 in frustration for an off-field fine handed to Paul Gallen for obscene language.
Still, it is hoped by board members he can assist in the relationship with the NRL, with his standing as a District Court judge also highly regarded.
“I regard this appointment as a real honour,” Conlon said.
“This organisation goes back to the very beginning of rugby league in 1908.
“I am acutely aware of our responsibilities to growing the game from grass roots to the professional and elite level.”
Kelly also told AAP of his desire to align the board’s interests on his appointment last week.
As CEO of the Roosters, Kelly’s relationship with both the NRL and several Sydney clubs is seen as a positive after last year’s issues.
“I am really looking forward to working with my fellow board members and management and staff at NSWRL and assisting where possible to align all our interests to focus on growing Rugby League in NSW,” Kelly said.
Kelly’s appointment as a metropolitan representative came in place of Parramatta legend Geoff Gerard, while Scouts NSW CEO Carolyn Campbell has replaced William Johnstone as an expert director.
John Anderson, who had served as an interim chair since Peponis’ departure, will return to his role as deputy chair.
AAP
