The former Kumuls team manager Bob Cutmore has been appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Papua New Guinea Rugby Football League on a three-year term.
Cutmore served as Chief Operating Officer of the Broncos Leagues Club in Brisbane last year and managed the PNG team at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup.
Former CEO Brad Tassell quit in March, saying he'd been the target of a constant and malicious campaign against him, including death threats.
The Chairman of the PNGRFL Sandis Tsaka says there were no locals in the list of 64 applicants and admits the level of scrutiny in the game probably put them off.
"Rugby league being the national sport and the national passion attracts a fair bit of attention and publicity and scrutiny - both positive and negative - so it may have led to deterring Papua New Guineans from applying. But we are building up the sport and support around it with a good group of supporters and stakeholders. Hopefully in the next few years we will attract competent Papua New Guineans to not only play, coach and take up technical jobs but also to take up the administration of the game in PNG."
Bob Cutmore began his new role this week and acting CEO Shane Morris has now reverted to his previous role as football operations manager.
PNG Rugby League Chair Sandis Taska in the middle Photo: RNZI/Vinnie Wylie
