CEO of Rugby Australia Raelene Castle has today stepped down from her role within the union with immediate effect.
Castles has come under fire in recent months after the various financial battles Rugby Australia has faced including the high profile lawsuit with Isreal Folau who was dismissed from his RA contract after homophobic comments made on social media.
In a statement provided to the ABC, Castle said she was told RA needed “clear air”. She added: “I love rugby on every level and I will always love the code and the people I have had the honour of working with since I took this role. I made it clear to the board that I would stand up and take the flak and do everything possible to serve everyone’s best interests.
“In the last couple of hours, it has been made clear to me that the board believes my no longer being CEO would help give them the clear air they believe they need. The game is bigger than any one individual – so this evening I told the chair that I would resign from the role.
“I will do whatever is needed to ensure an orderly handover. I wish the code and everyone who loves rugby nothing but the best and I would like to thank the people I work with and the broader rugby community for their enormous support.”
Her resignation comes after a host of former Wallabies captains penned a letter of outrage at how the union has been run in recent years.
Head Coach of the national side David Rennie is expected to continue in his role despite her departure.
