The Welsh Rugby Union is looking to appoint a new CEO of Cardiff Rugby. Cardiff has been without a permanent CEO since Richard Holland left after the club entered administration in April 2024 and are now owned by the WRU.
The WRU has now decided to go to market for a CEO. The club operates as a WRU-owned subsidiary with its own board and is responsible for Cardiff Rugby, Cardiff RFC and rugby operations at Cardiff Arms Park.
Role requirements
According to the job specification, the CEO will lead Cardiff Rugby’s overall strategic, operational and commercial performance. It is described as a "broad, visible and hands-on leadership role, combining commercial ambition with strong financial judgement, clear decision-making and the ability to bring people together around a shared direction".
The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of commercial growth, revenue generation and financial leadership, including responsibility for budgets, forecasts and long-term planning. They also need experience leading organisational change, operational improvement and the development of effective teams and cultures.
Tributes for Sir Billy Boston
Rugby league side Wigan Warriors have announced that a series of emotional tributes will take place to honour club legend Sir Billy Boston prior to their clash with Hull KR on Thursday evening. The Welsh icon passed away earlier this week aged 92, with tributes pouring in from across the rugby world.
Having scored a remarkable 478 tries in 488 matches for the Greater Manchester club, the impact of Boston's death has been felt deeply in Wigan, with the club opening a book of condolences for supporters to sign throughout the day on Thursday. Plans to honour Boston ahead of kick-off have now also been confirmed by the club, with their Super League showdown with KR being pushed back by two minutes in homage to the Cardiff-born great's iconic No.2 shirt.
Representatives from both sides, as well as the Rugby Football League, will lay wreaths in Boston's memory, with 'Abide With Me' and 'Jerusalem' both being sung as members of Wigan's Past Players Association form a guard of honour. Those former players will be joined on the pitch by members of Wigan's reserve, academy, scholarship and women’s sides, who will hold aloft flags and a Sir Billy Boston Tifo. The Brick Community Stadium will then fall silent for a minute's silence at 8pm, with the next door Robin Park Arena to be illuminated in tribute to Boston following the game.
“It promises to be a deeply poignant evening for everyone connected to Wigan Warriors and rugby league," read a statement from the Warriors. "A night not only to mourn the passing of a legend, but to celebrate a life that gave so much to the game, to this club and to the generations who followed in his footsteps. Sir Billy Boston will always be part of Wigan Warriors.”
Referee's health update
Test referee Aimee Barrett-Theron has issued an update on her battle with breast cancer after standing down from officiating with immediate effect last month. The 39-year-old, who is the most-capped female referee in international rugby after taking charge of 52 Tests, announced her diagnosis in June, revealing that the disease was treatable and that she hoped to be "back on the field in a few months’ time".
She is now halfway through her treatment and made a public appearance on Sunday night as she was named Technical Official of the Year at the South African Sport Awards. After picking up the accolade, Barrett-Theron told Rugby365: "The treatment’s going well. I’m about halfway through at the moment. It’s been quite a challenge not being on the field, but I’m still very much involved with coaching. It’s a tough time to be out there, but I’m still as supportive as I can [be]."
On receiving her award, she added: "It’s special to be able to get the trophy at the end of the day and to be recognised for the hard work that we put in."
