Raelene Castle to step down from Chief Executive role at Canterbury Bulldogs

The Canterbury Bulldogs has announced that Raelene Castle has resigned as its Chief Executive, and will leave the NRL club at the end of the season, despite having one year to go on her contract.

Castle, who became the first woman to run a NRL club in 15 years when she was appointed in 2013, oversaw three finals appearances including one grand final in her time at Belmore.

In a statement, Bulldogs Chairman Ray Dib advised "Raelene has made a significant contribution over the last four years.

"She has strengthened all areas of the club and will leave us in a strong position for the new chief executive to take over.

"We are appreciative of her professionalism in signalling this early enough for us to find a replacement in time for next season."

Castle's resignation comes two weeks after reports of tension with Dib following an email Castle sent to rival clubs complaining about a breach in protocol by the Rugby League Players' Association (RLPA).

The RLPA was alleged to have met with a select group of club chairmen, a meeting reportedly set up by Dib, over the ongoing collective bargaining agreement talks.

It is believed Castle forwarded the complaint, which was written by NRL salary cap negotiator Dean Kino to the RLPA, to club bosses.

Her decision also comes after the club this year controversially extended the contract of coach Des Hasler, and lured big names Aaron Woods and Kieran Foran for 2018.

It is widely tipped the Bulldogs, who were last week fined $61,474 for salary cap breaches in 2016, would have to offload some players to fit the star pair into their books next year.

Castle, who this time last year negotiated a new deal to stay on in her Bulldogs Chief role until the end of 2018, said she loved her time at the Bulldogs and would oversee the handover.

Castle stated tThe time is now right to look for my next challenge. I wish the club and the team every success for the future.

"I am pleased that together with the board we could give the club leadership continuity and a professional transition to new leadership."

With AAP 

Image of Raelene Castle courtesy of the Sir Peter Blake Trust.

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