Eels appoint interim CEO

Eels appoint interim CEO

Today the Parramatta National Rugby League Board has appointed Matt Phelan as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Parramatta Eels.

Matt Phelan joined the Eels in February this year as General Manager Operations and Strategy. The role directly involved managing operations across Game Development, Junior Rugby League, Education & Welfare, Recruitment, Game Day, Community and Football.

In addition to that he works across the entire organisation to ensure the club meets specific strategic outcomes.

Matt brings over 20 years experience in sports administration most recently as a Venue General Manager during the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Prior to that he held the role of Senior Manager of Operations for the A-League. Matt will be acting CEO until the board finds a permanent replacement.

“Our primary focus for the remainder of the year is to ensure that the Parramatta Eels are working hard both on and off the field. This has been a tough year for our organisation, but we owe it to our Members and fans to remain dedicated to making this a club they are proud to call their own,” Phelan said.

The Parramatta National Rugby League Board has today begun their search for a new CEO. Chairman Steve Sharp is confident that Matt Phelan is more than capable of filling the role until an official appointment is made.

“Matt is a very experienced operator and will do a great job in leading our club while we begin the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive Officer. We will not rush this decision, as we need to make sure we find an individual best suited to implement our club’s strategy for the future,” Sharp said.

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  • I met Matt this week, he impressed me and he has a pretty impressive resume for the role. I was asked last night who I thought would get the CEO role, and I nominated him.

    I don't know how much sense it makes to appoint any one as interim CEO. General practice is if you appoint an interim CEO it is an outside or a board member, who steps into the day-to-day running. When you have someone step up to that position, it makes it very difficult for all concerned for that person to drop back into their old role, for any number of reasons. 

    • You did make the early call last night on Matt, lets hope he goes ok.

    • I hope the board and interim/new CEO are moving in the same direction. Stability of our club starts from the top/front office. Imagine what we can achieve if everyone is moving in the same direction. All we need now are some quality players.
    • Phil,

       

      Leaders always emerge and stamp their own authority. He may be the interim CEO but I bet that if he is dynamic and gels the organisation and gets the front office moving in the right direction, he will be more than competitive in the selection process. When you take over a dysfunctional workplace, the key is to discover the true meaning of the place, and then build on it.

       

      Strong leaders attract quality people wanting to work for them.

    • What's purely ridiculous from a Parramatta basis, is that we supposedly have a group CEO in Bob Bentley. That should really negate any need to appoint anyone on an interim basis - you would think a group CEO would have the ability to step back into that role in this circumstance. Especially so, given that budget issues was reportedly one of the major reasons for Ken Edwards and the board parting ways.

    • Phil Moss should be our CEO. He'll bring back the culture to our refrigerator of a club. Everyone loves him. He has 21 years of Eels experience. Players and staff love him. Fitzy's men should make him an offer. Asap.
  • Bentley is the leagues club side not the football side of operations
  • I'm pretty sure that will be the case Crow

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