March 11 - 2010 SANZAR gets a CEO

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM 11 March 2010::

“The international search for a permanent Chief Executive Officer to lead SANZAR, the South African, New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions joint venture, will commence this weekend with the role being advertised in all three countries.

The creation of the new role to head up a Sydney-based SANZAR organisation to manage and develop the Super Rugby and Tri Nations tournaments follows a review of SANZAR’s existing management structures in 2009.

The CEO will report to SANZAR’s Executive Committee and will be charged with driving a strategic growth plan across multiple countries and improving SANZAR’s operational effectiveness.

Current SANZAR and New Zealand Rugby Union CEO Steve Tew said this was a major milestone for SANZAR as it evolves not only its competitions but also its organisational structures to a new level during 2010.

“The SANZAR joint venture has been incredibly successful through the cooperation of the three Unions which have rotated the secretariat responsibilities up until this year. With the expansion of the competitions from 2011, it is timely to move to an independent, permanent executive that can focus exclusively on driving Super Rugby and the Tri Nations competitions.”

http://www.allblacks.com/News/12379/sanzar-commences-search-for-ceo

WWW.ALLBLACKS.COM 25 AUG. 2010:

“The three country SANZAR (South Africa, new Zealand, Australia Rugby) joint venture today moved another step forward in its evolution with the appointment of experienced rugby administrator Greg Peters as its CEO.

Mr Peters has been the CEO of the Hurricanes and Wellington Rugby Football Union since 2006, and has previously led the Bay of Plenty Rugby Union and 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.

Mr 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 said Mr Peters is 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,” he 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.”

Mr 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.

“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 Rugby World Cup 2007. In Super Rugby, we have the world’s most demanding cross-border provincial rugby competition and that intensity is set to increase with the new conference model, so there is no more exciting time to get involved.”

Mr Peters, who will be based in Sydney, will start in his new role on November 1.

http://www.allblacks.com/News/14038/hurricanes-ceo-greg-peters-takes-sanzar-ceo-role