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Leagues and Governing Bodies

National Rugby League Side Canterbury CEO Raelene Castle Leaves Club

National Rugby League side Canterbury Bulldogs CEO Raelene Castle's "deteriorating relationship" with club Chair Ray Dib "has prompted her to walk away from the Bulldogs -- the final straw" in their "apparent divide over the future of club funding," according to Brent Read of THE AUSTRALIAN. The Bulldogs announced Castle "had resigned from her position and would finish her tenure at the end of the season," leaving "one of the most powerful clubs in the sport on the lookout" for a new CEO. Her relationship with Dib has reportedly "been deteriorating for some time, culminating in their split" over an email that was sent to NRL CEOs a fortnight ago "urging them to condemn a meeting" between the Rugby League Players Association and "several prominent club chairs." Dib was reportedly disappointed with Castle’s involvement in the email "being shared with rival clubs." Castle was "known to be frustrated with Dib's attempt to become involved in negotiations over the salary cap for next season" given she was one of four CEOs appointed by the NRL to negotiate with the players' union. Castle reportedly "wants to stay in rugby league but was concerned that continual damage to the club’s brand could tarnish her own integrity and reputation." She was the third female CEO in the game’s history. However, her departure will not "signal the end of the female presence at the club." The Bulldogs recently appointed Anne Sinclair to the board to replace Steve Mortimer (THE AUSTRALIAN, 5/26).

HECTIC YEAR CONTINUES: STUFF reported Castle is regarded as "one of the best administrators in the game, with the Bulldogs never missing the playoffs during her time there" as well as making the 2014 Grand Final. The club earlier this year "controversially extended the contract of coach Des Hasler," and "lured big names" Aaron Woods and Kieran Foran for '18. It is "widely tipped" the Bulldogs, which were last week fined A$61,474 ($45,800) for salary cap breaches in '16, "would have to offload some players to fit the star pair into their books next year" (STUFF, 5/25). In Sydney, Adrian Proszenko reported Castle, the former New Zealand netball boss, "is one of the most influential women in the game and is expected to remain in sports administration" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 5/25).

'FAMILY CLUB': Proszenko also wrote when Castle first began as Canterbury CEO, "everyone wanted to know" whether she or Hasler would be running the club. Four years later, "it is evident neither of them is the top Dog at Belmore." Castle tweeted there was "still plenty to achieve" before handing over to her successor. The Bulldogs "most notably" have the challenge of "becoming salary cap compliant." However, her role in the process -- like that of Hasler -- "will continue to diminish." The "family club" has become "increasingly fractured in recent times," as evidenced by Mortimer's parting from the boardroom. It is "about to undergo further change and the end result will chiefly bear the pawprints" of Dib (SMH, 5/25).

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