Overview
- The Perth Bears announced on Friday that Anthony De Ceglie has stepped down as the club’s inaugural chief executive.
- General manager of football Gareth Holmes will act as interim CEO while the club and its board run a search for a permanent replacement.
- The Bears gave no public reason for De Ceglie’s exit but multiple reports said he had lost board support after months of internal friction.
- The timing is risky because the team starts its first pre-season next month, yet the club has already secured major commercial deals and about 20,000 foundation members.
- The Australian Rugby League Commission and its chairman Peter V’Landys appointed De Ceglie and retain control of the franchise, so the board-led appointment process will test governance and shape whether the change becomes a reset or a disruption.