Having endured a living nightmare, Bill Pulver – the father of hoax collar bomb victim Madeleine – says his appointment as chief executive of the Australian Rugby Union is a dream come true.
Pulver declared himself the “luckiest man alive” after being unveiled as the code’s new boss on Wednesday.
“I’m 53-years-old and I think I have finally discovered what I think I want to do with my life,” he said.
“For the past 20 years I have been a CEO working in a diverse range of industries and now I feel very privileged to be taking on the role of CEO of the game I love.
“I feel today like I am the luckiest man alive … I’m now a leading administrator of the game they play in heaven. I’m simply delighted to have the opportunity to play a role.
“In a way I feel partly that it is a civic duty. My love of rugby is so deep that I’m just so excited about playing a role in allowing the game to develop.
“It is a dream of mine come true.”
The multi-million dollar businessman only touched on the horrors his family endured after a balaclava-clad Paul Douglas Peters broke into his family’s Mosman home in August 2011 and placed what he claimed was a collar bomb around the neck of Madeleine.
In November Peters was sentenced to at least 10 years jail for the crime.
The case created headlines worldwide but Pulver said he was not deterred from the profile and scrutiny which will come in his new role – one of the most high profile and demanding in Australian sport.
“My family are all rugby tragics,” he said.
“You will regularly see the entire Pulver family out watching the rugby … so they are probably at home watching this licking their lips with excitement.
“Rugby is a subject we will all be happy to talk about.”
ARU chairman Michael Hawker, a former schoolmate and teammate of Pulver’s at the exclusive Sydney private school Shore, welcomed the appointment.
“We wanted someone with proven commercial success at CEO level, with international business experience and a love of rugby,” Hawker said.
“The board also set priorities around good communication skills and an understanding of the world of sports marketing and media.
“Bill has all those attributes. He has enjoyed success in large and small businesses, through growth cycles and tough times.”
Pulver moved quickly to allay any doubts over the future of embattled Wallabies coach Robbie Deans.
“To be absolutely clear … Robbie will be coaching the Wallabies right through 2013,” he said.
He also moved to put the Quade Cooper saga, highlighted by claims of a “toxic environment” under Deans, behind the ARU.
Pulver said he would not be discussing the issue with the Wallabies playing group in a planned meeting with them in his first month in charge.
Pulver will officially take over from current ARU CEO John O’Neill on February 1.
harryonthecoast
Guest
And I will tell you something.....one thing's for sure, Mr Pulver won't be taking any notice of you so-called experts here on Roar!!! For a start trying to make sense of Johhno's mistake-riddled posts is a nightmare.
amband
Guest
No, he is part of the standard type. He will in his own words bring his business skills to bear. He also, on TV said " The Wallabies" & corrected himself, saying " the Qantas Wallabies ". He is less about organizing rugby and decent players than he is about profit in a not for profit organization. The sponsors basically own the game rather than just sponsor it Pulver is typical of his breed, as you will find out in due course, Cattledog
Cattledog
Guest
Great, positive comment, amband. And you know this through what medium, your cristal ball, or just shallow thinking?
amband
Guest
sorry, there will no no changes. J O'Neill mkII
On or
Guest
Sorry.. I didn't mean ARU should change the rules.. Obviously it's an IRB issue... So we know it will never happen!! I was making a point that people can rant and rave all they want about expansion and growth.. But the rules are the problem... If the game were attractive and exciting.. People would naturally take it up.. But at the moment.. As it is... Most of the super rugby games are openly boring to watch!!! Even the rugby champs... I don't think there was one exciting game to watch!! There's a reason there's no FTA deal... Probably because not many people would watch a game and if there was an FTA deal.. People would change the channel... Rugby at the moment needs major changes to the rules!! Even myself a brown boy from the bay of plenty from a staunch rugby background is beginning to wonder why he wastes his time watching aireol ping pong!! Rugby has the potential to be be the most attractive game to watch and play... But not under the current rules!!
Billy Bob
Guest
Great idea ON OR! Maybe. Now if you could just explain how we get the other two countries in Sanzar to agree. Not to mention the rest of the world. Personally I think we should all go gravity free for a little while. It would be easier on my legs.
Billy Bob
Guest
Yes GWS, I have wondered for years about how ONiell was able to put soccer on the map, and then the road to growth and expansion. But for whatever reason(s) could not do so for rugby ( Rebels inclusion, aside) Please write an article John. Was it resistance from the state unions? Was it GPS old boy networks? Why could Austealian rugby not be restructured into the 21st century?
On or
Guest
I think you guys aren't addressing the main issue... Rugby just isnt so attractive to watch and to play anymore... There were three or four really good games in the super comp last year.. The best being the game against the highlanders and the crusaders.. Which was just all out attack .. and it showed the potential of the game ... played with the right attitude!! The game would naturally expand if it were exciting and attractive to watch!! Change the rules... Problem solved!! There is a step in the right direction with the new rules but in the ITM cup it was still like watching aireol ping pong... Props should be able to rest there hands on the ground in scrums to keep it up... The ball needs to be removed from the ruck after 3 seconds.. Slowing the ball down should be an automatic yellow card.. short arm penalty is a quick tap only.. Long arm penalties should be a kick for touch only.. And only on a yellow card can a team kick for a penalty!! Rugby right now is just a little too predictable! It needs an overhaul!
Justin2
Guest
Your memory fails you then KPM.
Johnno
Guest
He's actually born in Scone, but he spent some his childhood in in tamworth. Apparently his dad is an ex QANTAS pilot, hence he'll love the QANTAS Wallabies. But he has lived a lot of his life in sydney , his family form what i know have set up's in both the bush and the city. Is he the right man, time will tell. He certainly is a rugby man, he is a lime member of NSW rugby. Yes he is a GPS man (SHORE), a nort shore man too, eg Mosman. Time will tell if he has the knowledge to expand the game of rugby in OZ, and understand new market and demographics. Be great if he reads the roar, he'd get some good tips, and would Micheal Hawker.
Slacky
Guest
God help me!!! If you blokes who are knockers of Bill Pulver get your heads out of your b** and just because this bloke is a boy from the bush who has made it in business. Good on him!! I just cannot understand the tall poppy syndrome being alive and well in rugby. For Gods sake...he is the BEST we have so get a life. Get off his back and give him your support. Is it the bush you dont like? Have you ever been to Tamworth? The success you cant stand or is it Shore or Mosman??? There is a little something for all you knockers who have other agendas. If you are so stupid you cannot see that this bloke is the goods then we are in big trouble with experts like you. I dont care where he lives, went to school or what he has done but he has made his life a success and he is perfect for this positi I dont know the bloke personally but with his track record I'll totally support him.. Slacky
BOomeranga
Guest
I agree. Five is plenty at SR level. A tier below with five to ten teams would be valuable.
AndyS
Guest
First order of business should be an ARC. They need to start planning immediately for a start up in 2014, so that they have a couple of years under the belt in time for the next TV negotiation. Adelaide should be in it as the highest level they can hope for for the time being. GC, WS and any other potential SR expansion team (regardless of when that might occur) should also be in it, essentially as an audition to show they are capable, demonstrate local support and establish a governance/logistics infrastructure to expand from rather than start cold.
stu wilsons gloves
Guest
I think Australian rugbyb should take it easy with expansion at the moment. Let's get the Rebels and Force up to speed first.
Allanthus
Guest
KPM, Johnno the reason the A League is such a success is mostly down to the quality of the football. I'm a rugby guy but I really enjoy watching Rogic, Rojas, Ono, Del Pierro, Brockie, Broich and others turn it on week after week. It's exciting, fast and skilful. Structure Australian rugby however you like, but until - from the Wallabies down through the Super rugby sides, into 3rd tier and club rugby - there is a culture change which results in a better style of rugby and more skilful intent, which captures the hearts and minds of the wider public, of kids who are potential players... then it doesn't matter how you structure things.
Johnno
Guest
hotdog , I agree you are right. Manu of the Itlalians in west sydney, have more of a soccer background, than the rugby boom in there homeland. Same with Asian countries too. Bill Pulver is a smart man, i just hope as he said Febuary is a listen and learn month. I hope he gets his finger on the pulse, and really spreads his wings beyond the North Shore of sydney, and really finds out that rugby is struggling in most markets of OZ, outside the North shore, eastern suburbs, and pockets of Brisbane and Canberra. He should really travel around OZ, a bit and see for himself, heck go and watch a west sydney wanderers game, and have a look at the demographics there. And also in west sydney the pacific island population that could be tapped into. I just hope Bill Pulver reads the roar even , and sees many Australian perspectives within the 22 million OZ population, not just the North shore or sydney centric one.
PeterK
Roar Guru
I find it hard to believe that the new CEO will grow the game outside of the traditional areas. The MOST important change is to get rugby played in PUBLIC schools. A shift away from relying on the private schools and PI imports for the australian rugby depth. No way do I see this guy diminishing the importance and reliance on the private schools. The next most important growth area is growing rugby in the working class strongholds in Sydney and Brisbane ie GWS and the country in NSW, similarly for Qld. Once again from his background I cannot see him doing this, he is used to rugby being an elitist sport. The 3rd most important thing is growing / supporting rugby more outside of NSW/Qld. This is the only area I feel he may do. I would of preferred a real outsider to shake the establishment / traditions up, make the changes that are needed. I do not see a guy from the establishment doing this. The old boy network rules supreme.
hotdog
Guest
I love your passion and enthusiasm Johnno and I agree entirely that rugby is booming world wide. The Australian sports landscape is more complex though and I'm not sure that many Italians or Asians living in western Sydney would have any idea how rugby is developing back in their homelands. Most of them would be informed by the dominant exposure they get day to day and their own historical family leanings. For most Italians, that's soccer, not rugby. I'm as big a believer as you are about the future of Aussie rugby but in the short to medium term I think we've got to be very strategic about how we expand and play to our strengths. That's what I hope Pulver has the skills to do.
Johnno
Guest
hotdog, a lot of rugby league fans, would be drawn to rugby in west sydney , as both codes are so similar, and many would be familiar with the wallabies, so it would be a smooth transition. Also the big pacific islander population. And global rugby is booming. Big Italian population out in west sydney. Italy is one of the best rugby teams in the world, so rugby they are familiar with. Also Asian rugby is booming especially 7evens, and big Asian populations out in west sydney, . And of course the pacific islander community too. SUnshine coast and central coast both have a lot of potential.
GWS
Guest
Yeah and it's ironic that the comp was started by o Neil and they put together the wanderers in about 160 days and they are what third at the moment. It can b done if they want to.