Sinderberry set to be named new Force CEO

[The InnFORCEr]

Nick Taylor,
The West Australian
January 18, 2013, 6:44 am

The Western Force are today expected to announce former ACT Brumbies general manager and ex-English premiership club Saracens chief executive Mark Sinderberry as their new chief executive.

In his time at the Brumbies, Sinderberry was seen as a powerbroker in rugby and charted the rise of the ACT side. He left the Brumbies in 2003 after eight years and spent six years at Saracens.

Sinderberry will take over from Vern Reid, who announced in October that he would not be seeking an extension to his contract after three years in charge at the Force.

Players and staff are expected to be told of the appointment today.

[MI5_Dog]

never heard of him!

so is this a good thing?

[The InnFORCEr]

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/boards/r...925979,9925979

http://www.watfordobserver.co.uk/sea...y&topic_id=363


Bit of history here

[wholetruth]

No confirmation from HQ yet. Could be good if he is right.

[travelling_gerry]

Sinderberry, as demonstrated by his axing of Wayne Shelford and his entire coaching staff, has not been shy of making ruthless decisions during his time at the club, but given that Kafer was his first signing when he took charge in February 2003 and their long association together at the ACT Brumbies, the chief executive admitted it was a tough call. However, Sinderberry did not let their friendship cloud his judgement.

He sacked Kafer once, gotta be a good sign there.

[wholetruth]

Strong man. Just what we need. Fingers crossed for an announcement

[The Man]

Outstanding apointment, with Roddy he built the Brumbies from the ground up

[The InnFORCEr]

EMIRATES WESTERN FORCE MEDIA RELEASE
Friday, 18 January 2013

FORMER BRUMBIES, SARACENS BOSS APPOINTED CEO OF RUGBYWA

Leading international rugby administrator Mark Sinderberry has been appointed the new CEO of RugbyWA and the Emirates Western Force.

Sinderberry, 48, built and managed highly successful eras at the Brumbies (1996-2003) and UK Premiership club, Saracens, (2003-2008) as Chief Executive, as well as in private business, most recently as Business Consultant for a London-based cleaning company.

He will return to Australia after almost a decade in the UK to begin his new role with RugbyWA on Tuesday, 5 March. He will take over from incumbent CEO Vern Reid, who informed the Board in October that he would not seek an extension of his contract.

RugbyWA Chairman Russel Perry said Sinderberry’s appointment is a coup for rugby in the West.

“The Board of RugbyWA was extremely impressed by the number and calibre of local, national and international applicants we had for this position, and we are very pleased to announce Mark as the successful candidate and new CEO of RugbyWA,” he said.

“Mark not only has a passion for rugby, but he has a history of building and growing the clubs and organisations with which he’s associated. During his tenure at the Brumbies he built them into the most successful Australian rugby province, including their 2001 Super 12 title. On joining Saracens he helped them fight off relegation to become regular Premiership and Cup semi-finalists. He also boasts very astute business acumen which is important to the organisation in an increasingly challenging global financial environment.

“Mark enters during an important chapter for rugby in WA and the Emirates Western Force. In recent months, we’ve undertaken significant change for the benefit of the Emirates Western Force and it was essential that whomever was appointed could continue guiding the club towards sustainable success.

“Similarly we have achieved significant growth in the code at the grassroots level over recent years, and it is essential that this continue as an indicator for the overall health of the code.

“We have no doubt that Mark is the right man to take the club and rugby in the state forward and we’re very excited about what he will bring to the role and the organisation.”

Sinderberry, a former ACT rugby representative, was appointed inaugural Chief Executive of the ACT Brumbies in 1995 following a financial background with KPMG and National Capital Printing in Canberra.

During the start-up period with the Brumbies he oversaw the employment of staff and the establishment of a training centre that contributed to representation in five Super 12 finals series during his seven seasons at the helm, including the 36-6 championship win over the Sharks in the 2001 final.

In 2003 he was recruited by Saracens to turn around the ailing club’s fortunes. During this time he helped develop the long-term strategic direction for the club as well as recruiting a new coaching staff that guided the side to four semi-final appearances. He also successfully managed the sale of the club to private investors.

Following the sale and restructure of ‘Sarries’ by South African investors, Sinderberry remained in London and established a UK franchise for an international cleaning company, which achieved a turnover of more than $1 million (US) within its first two-and-a-half years and became one of the fastest growing regions worldwide.

Sinderberry, who is married with two sons, says he’s keen to return to Australian rugby to join RugbyWA and the Emirates Western Force.

“While I have spent three years out of the game, my first love has and will always be rugby,” he said. “I’m very excited about returning to the code I’m so fond of and invigorated by the rugby opportunity presented in Western Australia.

“This is a fantastic time to be involved with the Force and RugbyWA. While there is still a long way to go, the club has undergone significant change over the past six months and it’s clear that a number of the building blocks are in place to reach our end goal of being a sustainably successful rugby province.

“However, to reach this I believe there are several key elements that make up a successful rugby province;

“We need to be a club that is the preferred employer for players and staff where they understand they will develop and reach their full potential. The Board and Michael Foley have already done considerable work investing in and constructing a world-class rugby program in recent months and the squad has clearly responded with great passion and commitment for the upcoming season.

“It’s imperative that we be an organisation that stands for something and has a clear direction while remaining relevant and entwined with the local rugby community. Grassroots and community rugby is the most fundamental aspect of our game and its integral that we continue to build participation at all levels and ages as well as providing a pathway for our talented and aspiring players, coaches and referees.

“Finally, it’s essential that we remain a part of the wider community and continue to build and engage our passionate and loyal supporter base. The ‘Sea of Blue’ are well known around the world and a focus for us will be ensuring they remain involved with the club and can share in the journey of the Emirates Western Force and rugby in the state.

“As I said, I believe that many building blocks are in place to achieve these objectives and I’d like to thank Vern Reid and the Board for their efforts in assisting the club to reach this point.

“I’m looking forward to arriving in Perth in March, mapping out how we’re looking to progress over the next 12 months and building on the improvements that have already been put in place to ultimately deliver our collective goal of a sustainable and successful organisation.”

Please note: Mark Sinderberry is currently in the UK but will travel to Perth during the week of Monday, 28 January to Friday, 1 February. A media opportunity will be made available during this time.

Profile
Name: Mark Sinderberry
Previous Roles: 2009-2012 Business Consultant – Commercial Cleaning; 2003-2008 Chief Executive – Saracens; 1995-2003 Chief Executive – ACT Brumbies; 1993-1995 Financial Controller – National Capital Printing; 1989-2003 Accountant/Auditor – KPMG Canberra

[Happy]

Please note: Mark Sinderberry is currently in the UK but will travel to Perth during the week of Monday, 28 January to Friday, 1 February. A media opportunity will be made available during this time.

and followed hopefully with a meet and greet at

[Alison]

I like the sound of him. Young and with a mix of rugby experience and senior executive experience. Wonder if he went for the ARU job as well?

Good luck Mark and welcome to the west

[DinkyDi]

I think that this could be a great appointment - finally a CEO with a rugby background and commercial nous. Good luck Mark

[travelling_gerry]

by: WAYNE SMITH
From:The Australian
January 19, 201312:00AM


TWO of the pioneers of the Brumbies, Rod Macqueen and Ewen McKenzie, have hailed the appointment of their former boss as the new Western Force chief executive as a great result for Australian rugby.

Mark Sinderberry, the founding chief executive of the Brumbies in 1995 and, according to the side's original coach, Macqueen, one of the main contributors to the ACT franchise's emergence as one of the early powerhouses of Super Rugby, will take over from Vern Reid on March 5.

The appointment of a specialist sports official such as Sinderberry, who put in six years as the boss of English premiership club Saracens after leaving the Brumbies in 2003, provides a curious contrast to the ARU's choice last week of Bill Pulver, a successful businessman but with no background in sports administration, as its new chief.

Macqueen, who recalls Sinderberry as being "hard but fair" during his eight formative years at the Brumbies, believes his experience will prove invaluable to the Force. "Originally it was touch and go as far as finances went at the Brumbies but Mark was able to hold it all together," said Macqueen, who himself made a comeback to rugby but at a different club, as the Melbourne Rebels' debut coach in 2011.

"He is a proven administrator and it's good for Australian rugby that the Force have been able to lure him back home."

McKenzie, now the Queensland Reds coach but one of the Brumbies' foundation players, said Sinderberry's background as an accountant would stand him in good stead at the Perth franchise.

"It's a very good result for WA to get a bloke of his experience," said McKenzie. "He has been around rugby for a long while and seen contracting models so he will come with experience that will be useful."

Rugby WA chairman Russell Perry said Sinderberry's appointment was a coup for rugby in the west, especially given his background of building and growing clubs: "During his tenure at the Brumbies he built them into the most successful Australian province including their 2001 Super12 title."

Sinderberry admitted he was excited about the prospect of joining a Force organisation that has undergone massive change.

"While I've spent three years out of the game, my first love has and always will be rugby," said Sinderberry. "This is a fantastic time to be involved with the Force and RugbyWA."


http://www.theaustralian.com.au/spor...-1226557054898

[Flying 14]

Another great addition to what is looking like a world class management and coaching setup. Hopefully he can steer our ship toward success!! My optimism is building very quickly for the future of our club.

[GIGS20]

Proof is in the pudding 14, but I'm very impressed with the paper credentials of what they've built.

I'll reserve judgement on actual optimism until after I've seen a few games, but they're certainly making all the right noises.

[wholetruth]

Force boss warns of no quick fix

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/spo...-no-quick-fix/