Rugby Australia boss steps down

Rugby Australia ceo Andy Marinos
Photo: Supplied:SABC

Rugby Australia chief executive officer Andy Marinos will leave the role in June after nearly two and half years dedicated to securing the future of rugby across the Tasman.

Marinos took on the job in February 2021, at a time when sporting codes globally were grappling with the commercial and operational impacts of covid.

In his time in charge, Marinos has overseen the financial turnaround from a $27.1 million loss in 2020 to a $8.2 million profit for 2022.

Chairman Hamish McLennan said Marinos had joined RA at an uncertain time for the sport, with a clear directive from the Board to create a pathway for making Australian rugby great again.

“We asked Andy to draw upon his impressive career experience and extensive global relationships to re-establish rugby as a leading code in Australia – he has delivered on this and been fundamental in the turnaround of the business.

“Andy will leave RA having delivered several key projects, including the finalisation of the 2027 and 2029 Rugby World Cups, locking in the 2025 British and Irish Lions Tour, planning for a new contracting model for the professional game, implementation of strategy to professionalise Women’s XVs Rugby, and a new four-year Collective Bargaining Agreement for our professional men’s and women’s players.”

Marinos said he had enjoyed his tenure and was proud of what he and the team had accomplished in some often-challenging times.

“I cannot overstate the commitment and incredible work ethic of the people around me at RA, and the roles they have played in helping drive some critical structural changes for rugby in this country.

“The foundations have been established and the business is now well-prepared to test the market for private equity investment, making it the right time for me to move on.”

Rugby Australia has started a recruitment process.