Rugby Australia Chief Executive Andy Marinos resigns

Rugby Australia has confirmed that its Chief Executive Andy Marinos, will be leaving his role mid-June to pursue new opportunities.

His departure from Rugby Australia comes at an interesting time, given the Rugby World Cup begins in France in just over four months.

Speaking today, Marinos said he had enjoyed his tenure at Rugby Australia and was proud of what he and the team had accomplished in some often-challenging times sharing “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.”

Marinos, who represented Wales in eight Tests during his playing career, was appointed as Rugby Australia Chief Executive in February 2021 following Raelene Castle’s departure the previous year. He previously served as Chief Executive of SANZAAR, rugby’s peak administrative body in the southern hemisphere.

Marinos joined Rugby Australia with a specific mandate to secure the immediate and long-term future of Rugby in Australia, at a time when sporting codes globally were grappling with the commercial and operational impacts of COVID-19.

In his two years, Marinos has overseen significant change for rugby in Australia, including the financial turnaround from a $27.1 million loss in 2020 to a $8.2 million profit for 2022, as announced at the recent Annual General Meeting.

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

McLennan advised “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.

“On behalf of the Board, I would like to thank Andy for his contribution to Rugby Australia. We wish him well with his future endeavours.”

Media reports suggest former Wallabies captain Phil Waugh as one of the leading candidates to take over the position, while ex-NRL boss Todd Greenberg is also believed in contention.

The announcement of Marinos' departure comes on the day that the AFL revealed Andrew Dillon as replacement for Gillon McLachlan as Chief Executive of the League.