As part of a series of interviews with University of Auckland Business School alumni, Raelene Castle, CEO of the Canterbury Bulldogs NRL league team in Sydney and former CEO of Netball New Zealand, talks about a woman running a male domain.
You were chosen as CEO of the Bulldogs from 3300 applicants - why do you think you got the job?
A sporting franchise is a significant business and requires proven commercial experience. I worked for 15 years in the corporate sector in New Zealand and gained valuable high-performance experience during my six years with at Netball New Zealand. I also had a strong understanding of rugby league and a huge respect for the sport at both a high-performance and grassroots level.
Your father Bruce represented the Kiwi rugby league team for seven years in the 1960s. Is that where your love of the game originated?
As a family we spent hundreds of hours watching and talking about rugby league. We have a genuine love of the game and it gave us some great family experiences and exposed us to an amazing multicultural family. It was special to sit with Dad every Sunday afternoon and watch the Winfield Cup from Sydney.
What was the job like when you first started?
When you start any new job, it is like drinking out of a fire hydrant. Then you move to a big hose and then, after 12 months, you realise you can drink calmly from the hose. A new country, new job, new colleagues and a new sport all add challenges but they add to the excitement. The Bulldogs family were very welcoming and the wider rugby league community have gone out of their way to be supportive and made my partner Greg and I feel very welcome.
Bulldogs fans are passionate and opinionated. Does that make some of the decisions you have to make more difficult?
Social media is an amazing tool for feedback. Our fans are high users and let me know how they feel after a significant signing or a game result, both positive and negative. It is a great touch-point to feel the mood of the fans but you have to be careful not to overreact.
There was a backlash after you canned the Bulldogs' cheerleaders but you've brought them back this year. Why was that?
The fans wanted them and the Sapphires were involved in designing their outfits and have a more all-encompassing role on game day than just cheerleading. This also includes hospital visits. We believe this gives more girls an opportunity to engage with the Bulldogs right across our organisation.
The Canterbury Bulldogs is a very masculine environment. How do the players treat you?
The players have been very welcoming and the Kiwi boys call me Aunty. A great sign of respect, even if it does make me feel old!
Female membership has risen by 5 per cent since your appointment. Why do you think that is?
We have focused on ensuring game days are family-friendly and a Bulldogs game day is a good value-for-money way to spend the family entertainment dollar.
You're coming up to two years in the job. What's been the highlight?
The finals series run last year which culminated in a Grand Final appearance. The fans' support was like nothing I have ever seen - whole houses painted blue and white; a party in the streets of Belmore that lasted for two full weeks; all races, creeds and ages coming together in the streets to share in the Bulldogs' journey. We didn't hold the trophy up at the end of the day but that has made the players and the fans even more hungry to go that additional step.
Your mother Marlene represented New Zealand in lawn bowls four times at the
Commonwealth Games and you won a New Zealand title. Do you still play?
Unfortunately I haven't had time to play in Australia. I miss it and hope to get back on the greens as it is important to have an interest that takes you away from working 24/7.
You once said you went to school to "play sport and eat my lunch". How did going to university help prepare you for your career?
University, and especially a Bachelor of Commerce, gives you the broad base knowledge to work across the commercial parts of the business and determine where you might like to specialise. It also proves stickability and dedication which is an important factor for a potential employer.
You did a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in marketing and production operations management at the University of Auckland. What were the most valuable lessons you learned?
I learned what I liked and what I didn't. I loved marketing but accounting wasn't my strong point! I also learned how to work on my own, build new relationships and balance study and a part time job.
You announced at a Bulldogs' board meeting that your hair was falling out (alopecia areata ) after months of disguising the condition. How have people responded to your admission?
I shared my story as I didn't want people to think I had cancer and also I thought I could help other young girls with this problem to feel more confident.
It is much more challenging for girls. The board and staff were amazing and even a couple of players said: "We talk about courage on the football field, you have shown us courage by sharing your story."