The NSW Rugby Union and Waratahs organisation are both looking for a new boss after chief executive Jim L’Estrange announced his resignation on Friday.
L’Estrange will stand down from the dual roles in August but has accepted a request to remain on the Waratahs board to ensure a smooth transition period.
The boards of both the NSWRU and Waratahs Rugby accepted his resignation after three years in charge as CEO.
No specific reason was given for L’Estrange’s decision except he said the time was right after helping to create a separate business entity to operate the Waratahs.
“With the expansion of Super Rugby in 2011, these are exciting times for rugby in Australia so there are some mixed emotions in leaving,” he said in a statement.
“However after going through the process of creating the Waratahs Board, the next step was always going to be the change to management structures across both entities.
“This is the right time for those changes to take place, so it is the right time to step aside.”
Waratahs Rugby chairman Ed Zemancheff paid tribute to L’Estrange’s efforts in his three-year tenure.
“Whilst we are sorry to see Jim go, we respect his reasons to do so, and wish to express our appreciation for the great work and results he achieved in running Australia’s oldest and most successful rugby organisation,” Zemancheff said.
“During Jim’s three years at NSW Rugby, the HSBC Waratahs finished second, fifth and third contesting two Super 14 semi-finals and a final and were the top-ranked Australian side in all three seasons.”
John
Guest
Bloody hell. The fact you even know that says it all about the Sydney rugby scene. Sydney must be the only city in the world where where name of your High School is more important than the name of your University.
Red Rooster
Guest
Three years of shrinking finances and crowds - the previous CEO had three years of profits and got the boot - its hard to work out how the NSWRU makes its decisions - I am betting there is a massive loss going to be announced so he will be the scapegoat - I would bet my house the ARU wont be touching him
rugbyfuture
Roar Guru
good luck to him, not a bad guy, stuck with little resources, and very open in answering the questions presented by the roar community. hopefully the next guy will be able to fix numerous problems and introduce hardened and revolutionary leadership into the ranks
rugbyfuture
Roar Guru
he was CAS
ncart
Roar Rookie
Wouldn't it be great if they made part of the new applicant requirement for the job to present a plan for how they are going to grow rugby in NSW and specifically how they are going to address some of the problems that the game has there? Then, if the successful applicant had as part of their contract KPIs around meeting the points in their proposal, it might make them all think carefully about what they can bring to the job and actually get someone who really adds value.
Chris
Guest
Quick - scour the ranks of the GPS old boys for a replacement! Hurry!
Go_the_Wannabe's
Guest
Sounds like he got a better offer! You just don't leave a great job like that for no reason. He'll have something cushier lined up, I'm tipping. Probably pop up on the ARU board just in time for the RWC gravy train. Or some other job for the boys anyway. How did I get so cynical? Or am I just a realist?