O'Neill reappointed boss of Australian Rugby Union
07/06/2007 |
 |
 |
John O'Neill, Australia's best known sports administrator, has been reappointed as chief executive of the Australian Rugby Union (ARU), it was announced on Thursday.
O'Neill replaced Gary Flowers who stood down in April, halfway through a three-year stint, following criticism of his organisation.
ARU officials hope the reappointment of O'Neill will help resurrect Australian rugby, which has been on the decline since he left the organisation three years ago.
The Wallabies had flourished during O'Neill's previous tenure at the ARU, filling their trophy cabinet with virtually every prize on offer and making a fortune in the process, but have quickly fallen from grace since his departure.
"The Board is very pleased to have drafted John back to rugby," ARU chairman Peter McGrath said in a statement. "Everyone acknowledges his extremely successful track record in sport."
A former banker, O'Neill was in charge of the ARU for eight years from 1995 to 2003 before quitting to take up a job as head of the newly formed Football Federation of Australia (FFA).
The Wallabies won the World Cup in 1999, the Tri-Nations in 2001 and 2002 and beat the British and Irish Lions for the first time in a series in 2001.
Australia also held the Bledisloe Cup for five years and reached the final of the 2003 World Cup, which they hosted, to much acclaim.
The tournament was regarded as a model of organisational efficiency and produced a A$45 million (US$38 million) windfall for the ARU.
While the ARU has struggled since O'Neill left, soccer in Australia has gone forward in leaps and bounds, with O'Neill given much of the credit.
He oversaw the launch of the domestic A-League competition and was instrumental in securing the services of Dutch coach Guus Hiddink, who led the Socceroos to their first World Cup appearance in 32 years.
O'Neill quit the FFA last year, prompting speculation about a possible return to the ARU.
"It is an honour and a privilege to have been invited back. I am very comfortable in the rugby environment," O'Neill said in a statement.
"I recognise that there are many challenges ahead and I need to hit the ground running."
(Source: Guardian.co.uk)
|
| Back |
|
|
|
|
 |
