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Important SN update for SouthlandNRL announces inaugural Perth Bears board
Nicholas Quinlan • June 28th, 2025 4:57 pm
The Perth Bears have officially announced their inaugural board as the team continues to gather pace for its 2027 arrival.
With Anthony De Ceglie being named CEO of the 18th NRL team back in June and Mal Meninga and Ben Gardiner appointed as the inaugural head and assistant coach of the Bears later in the same month, the attention has now shifted to filling out the other off-field positions such as the Board of Directors.
There will be nine members of the board which will be chaired by Ben Morton.
Morton was the former Minister for the Public Service under the Morrison Government and has also been a Western Australia Rugby League board member prior to taking up the chair role.
Those named to the Perth Bears' board feature a mix of heavyweights from Western Australia alongside those who have a connection to the North Sydney Bears.
Those named include former Australian Treasurer and former ambassador to the US Joe Hockey, Channel 9 sports newsreader James Bracey who was a former board member of the North Sydney Bears and former CEO of Cricket WA and inductee to the Australian Cricket Hall of Fame Christina Matthews.
In a statement released by the NRL, ARLC Chairman Peter V’landys believes that the board will help ensure that the Perth Bears are on track for immediate success in the NRL.
“The inaugural and historic Perth Bears Board is comprised of a diverse group of individuals with the right skills to ensure the Perth Bears Club is successful and thrives,” V’landys said.
“The group comprises industry leaders both in Western Australia as well as across Australia more broadly, as well as sporting leaders.
“The heritage of the North Sydney Bears, the energy of the West, all combined with an innovative and talented board of exceptional individuals will set the new Club on the right path immediately.
“Combining this board with Anthony De Ceglie as CEO, Mal Meninga as Head Coach, and Ben Gardiner as Assistant Coach, the Club will be a powerhouse for the game in a key market.
“The Perth Bears is a club which is taking shape by the day and will quickly capture the hearts and minds of fans as we approach 2027.”
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