Waratahs Rugby Announce New Chief Executive Officer

Feb 24 • General News, Super Rugby • 1612 Views • Comments Off on Waratahs Rugby Announce New Chief Executive Officer

Waratahs Rugby Chairman, Roger Davis, today announced that Rugby Union Player’s Association CEO, Greg Harris will take up the role as Chief Executive Officer of the Waratahs as of Monday 2 March 2015.

“The Waratahs’ Board are delighted to make this announcement and welcome Greg to the Waratahs family,” Davis said.

“Greg has a wealth of knowledge accumulated through an extensive set of experiences in both the sporting and business worlds – it would be fair to say that his skills, networks and previous roles are unique in the broader Australian sporting landscape, but particularly with respect to rugby.

“He will bring exceptional sports administration experience to the Waratahs. His previous roles as CEO of RUPA, the Western Force and Sydney University Sport provide him with a wide range of expertise across both the commercial and high performance components of the business. In particular his extensive experience and skills in the areas of player contracting, welfare and recruitment which are at the heart of the game today, namely attracting, developing and retaining the code’s best rugby players.”

Harris will start in the role on March 2, following the decision from outgoing Waratahs Rugby CEO, Jason Allen to step down from the position in September last year.

Harris has spent the last four and a half years at the helm of the Rugby Union Players’ Association serving the best interests of Australia’s rugby players and the game.

In that time Harris has been a passionate advocate for improvements in rugby’s administration and growth.
Harris will bring to the Waratahs a rich history of knowledge and experience, having established a successful professional career over the last 25 years in the sporting industry.

“I would like to acknowledge the support which I have received from the RUPA Board which has enabled me to take up this position, in particular the Chairman, Mr Bruce Hodgkinson SC” Harris said.

“During my tenure with RUPA the priority for the players’ association has been the welfare of the game in Australia, and one could say that my appointment to this position is an extension of that priority.

“Australian Rugby needs a strong and successful Waratahs and I trust that I can continue to deliver on the platform which the Waratahs’ Board and coach, Michael Cheika have provided for the organisation.”

Prior to his position at RUPA, Harris’ roles have included Chief Executive Officer of the Western Force and Rugby WA (2008 – 2009) and Executive Director of Sydney University Sport (1992-2008). Prior to these positions he also held the position of NSWAFL and Sydney Swans’ Development Manager for a period of 2 years.

Harris has also held positions as Chairman of the National Rugby League Education and Welfare Committee (2003-2008), Chairman of the Australian University Sport Committee on Student Service Fees (2005-2008), an Industry Advisory Board Member to the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney (2007- 2008) and to Sports Knowledge Australia (2005-2008).

He was also Chairman of Selectors at the Sydney Swans from 1994 to 1996.

On the field, Harris was somewhat of a cross code pioneer having played senior grade football in the 3 codes during the 1970s and 1980s.

His senior sporting career began in his final two years of high school when he played first grade AFL for the St. George Club. Upon entering university he turned his hand to rugby where he played for Sydney University in first grade (1973 – 1977) and represented Sydney (1975 – 1977), the Barbarians and Australian Universities.

In 1978 he then played a season of rugby league for Cronulla-Sutherland before returning to captain and coach the NSW AFL state team and East Sydney to several premierships before coaching the Sydney Swans Under-19 team for three years.