Greg Peters steps down as New Zealand Rugby League chief executive

New Zealand Rugby League CEO Greg Peters has stepped down after eight years in the role.

Since his appointment in 2018, Peters has overseen a doubling in the number of grassroots players in New Zealand and helped to re-establish regular test matches for the Kiwis and Kiwi Ferns in New Zealand.

Peters said it had been an honour and a privilege to lead NZRL.

“I’m incredibly proud of what my small and very committed team has achieved over the past few years,” Peters said.

“And I am in awe of, and want to pay tribute to, the thousands of people who toil at the grassroots of the game and drive the growth and development week in, week out with very scarce resources.

“NZ Rugby League will always have a big place in my heart and I look forward to watching the game reach new heights in future years.”

Greg Peters has stepped down as CEO of NZRL. Photo: Andrew Cornaga / Photosport

NZRL chairman Justin Leydedorff said he wanted to acknowledge Peters on behalf of board members for his “outstanding” contribution to the game.

“We have been extremely fortunate to have had one of the country’s top sports administrators lead the sport over eight years,” Leydedorff said.

“Greg successfully combined his love for the grassroots game with the commercial complexities of running an NSO [national sport organisation] and leaves the code significantly better off than when he took over.”

There was a 30% increase in NZRL revenue during Peters’ tenure and he was described as instrumental in setting up the Pacific Championship.

He also oversaw constitutional changes, including Aotearoa New Zealand Māori Rugby League becoming a voting member of NZRL with a permanent board seat.

The NZRL board is in the early stages of starting the process to recruit a successor.