Deidre Anderson has officially been announced as Chair of the Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA) at its Annual General Meeting in Woollahra tonight.
Dr Anderson, an RLPA Director since 2016, becomes the first female Chair in the history of the Association.
A former
Deputy Vice-Chancellor at Macquarie University, Dr Anderson has a wealth of
experience across a range of relevant areas including governance, sport,
wellbeing and education.
The
change in leadership comes after previous Chair, Russell Adams, resigned from
his duties earlier in the year due to health reasons.
Mr Adams
led the Association through an important era during his three years at the helm,
most notably during the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations in 2017.
Mr Adams
said he leaves knowing that the Association is in strong position and will
continue to prosper with Dr Anderson stepping into the role of Chair.
“I have
thoroughly enjoyed my involvement with RLPA over the past three years,” Mr
Adams said. “I decided to resign from the Board earlier this year to deal with
ongoing health issues.
“I look
back at what has been achieved for our members over the past few years with pride.
“There
have been various highlights, but the standout would have to be the landmark
CBA deal reached in 2017 and the approach to bargaining that was undertaken.
“I am
confident that the RLPA will continue its progression in years to come through
an engaged playing group driving the growth and interest in the game.
“After
spending a number of years on the Board with Dee (Anderson), I have no doubt
that she will provide great leadership for the RLPA and I wish her all the best
in the role.”
Dr
Anderson said she was honoured to be appointed Chair of the RLPA and continue
to play a key role in further advancing the Association in the coming
years.
“The
RLPA has continued to increase in its capabilities and responsibilities in
recent years,” Dr Anderson said. “As a Director for the past three years, I
have enjoyed playing a role in that progression.
“I’m
truly honoured to accept the role of Chair and I look forward to ensuring our
members continue to have a strong Association behind them.
“We have
an outstanding group of young men and women playing this game, so ensuring they
are empowered and have the tools to thrive both during and after their careers
is something that I am passionate about.
“I want
to also take this opportunity to acknowledge the influential role that Russell
had in advancing the RLPA during his time on the Board and sincerely wish him
well in addressing his health concerns.”
RLPA CEO
and Managing Director, Ian Prendergast, thanked Mr Adams for his enormous
contribution to the Association and welcomed Dr Anderson into the role.
“The
significant role that Russell played during his time as Chairman cannot be
understated,” Mr Prendergast said. “On a personal level, I couldn’t be more
thankful for the guidance and support he provided me over the past few years.
“On
behalf of the RLPA and its members I want to thank Russell for his significant
contribution and commitment to the Association over the past few years.
“I also
want to formally welcome Dee into the role of Chair and I look forward to
building on the already significant work she has done for the RLPA as a
Director in recent years.”
The RLPA
also officially unveiled its 2019-21 Game Plan at the meeting, outlining its
vision, values, purpose and key projects set to be delivered in the coming
years.
Players
in attendance at the AGM also voted that James Maloney be elected as a Director
for another term.
Eloni
Vunakece and Adam Blair also officially concluded their time as Directors of
the RLPA, with their positions to be filled in the coming months following a
review of the Board composition by the Nominations and Remunerations Committee.
Other
current playing members on the Board of Directors – Jeremy Latimore, Tim Mannah
and Joel Thompson – will continue their tenure, while further leaders will be
appointed as casual vacancies in the coming months, including an elite women’s
representative.
Current RLPA
Board and Leadership
Deidre
Anderson – Chair
Ian
Prendergast – CEO and Managing Director
Jeremy
Latimore – Director
James
Maloney – Director
Tim
Mannah – Director
Nimesh
Shah – Director
Joel
Thompson – Director
Cameron
Smith – General President
