NSWRL CEO Mr David Trodden is delighted to announce the key appointments of Barrie-Jon Mather as General Manager, Football, and Glenn Jackson as the Head of Communications & Media.
In these newly created roles Mr Mather and Mr Jackson will complete Mr Trodden’s five (5) member Executive Group for the administration of the NSWRL.
Mr Mather, a former dual England international who has a strong background in player development, has been given a broad-spectrum position covering competitions including the VB NSW Cup, the Ron Massey Cup, as well as the elite junior development programs of the NSWRL.
“Barrie-Jon will bring a unique and exciting combination of football skills and academic qualifications to what will be a pivotal role in the administration of our game in NSW. In his highly decorated playing career in England, he was the first person to ever represent England in both rugby league and rugby union. He also had a stint with Western Reds in Australia,” Mr Trodden said.
“In his administrative career he has held senior roles in elite player development and team management with the Rugby Football League. Academically, he holds a Bachelor’s degree with honours in Movement Science and Physical Education, a Masters degree in Business Administration and he is currently enrolled in a course to complete a Doctorate in Elite Performance. I am genuinely excited by what he will bring to rugby league in NSW and the opportunities which his unique range of skills will provide for us.”
Mr Mather added: “I'm very excited and grateful to the NSWRL for giving me this opportunity to join the organisation at such an exciting time.
“After the success of the World Cup in the UK, I'm looking forward to a new challenge in Australia. The opportunity to work with some amazing and experienced people, and for an organisation with as much history and tradition as the NSWRL, was too good to resist.”
Mr Jackson, a senior rugby league journalist with Fairfax Media since 2006, will oversee the NSWRL’s communications operations across all platforms of the organisation.
“Glenn is clearly a highly accomplished writer who has extensive experience as a sports journalist and specifically, a rugby league journalist, spending time with publishers Fairfax Media, ACP and News Limited,” Mr Trodden said.
“He has a combined total of 17 years at a variety of publications, including the Sydney Morning Herald and Rugby League Week, where he has created a wonderful network of relationships, built significant trust and earned a great deal of respect.”
The NSWRL Board recently signed off on a new strategic plan developed by the General Manager, Strategy and Community Affairs, Dirk Melton. The strategic plan has a distinct focus on ensuring that the organisation uses its reach and share of voice to play a legitimate role in community development throughout the state. It is the importance placed on ‘communication’ in order to achieve this goal which has engaged Mr Jackson.
“I can see that the new Board and Executive at the NSWRL are attempting to do things differently and it is something that I wish to be a part of. To be involved in a period of change is an outstanding opportunity and I believe that I can play a successful role in assisting Dave and the broader team make it happen,” said Mr Jackson.
Mr Trodden added: “Glenn has seen significant transformation within both the media industry and the game of rugby league and during the interview process he articulately communicated his understanding of the importance of both the traditional and digital media to the continued evolution of each of these entities.”
Mr Mather and Mr Jackson will commence their roles at the NSWRL in February.
NSWRL Executive Group
Head Coach: Laurie Daley
General Manager, Strategy and Community Affairs: Dirk Melton
General Manager, Football: Barrie-Jon Mather
General Manager, Shared Services: David Nissen
Head of Communications & Media: Glenn Jackson