Australian Rugby Union Chairman, Michael Hawker (left) congratulates Bill Pulver following the announcement of his appointment as CEO.

by Jim Davis –

The announcement of Bill Pulver as the new CEO of the Australian Rugby Union at ARU HQ had a large press attendance (as expected) and news of the appointment was out very quickly by way of Twitter and then a few hours later received wide TV News coverage. Excellent press exposure for the new CEO who has lived and worked in Japan, the UK, USA and Australia.

Naturally, Bill Pulver’s outstanding international track record as a businessman and CEO over 20 years was a main focus. His involvement as a rugby player; Shore school, GPS representative, colts and grade at University of NSW, was stated.

A point that may have missed many was how he will look to embrace rugby across all levels. Naturally the Wallabies and the huge international schedule ahead in 2013 will have priorities. So, will club rugby and grassroots rugby be ignored?

Not likely!

The man who has transformed companies from losing millions of dollars into organisations making hundreds of millions, has stood on the sidelines of Junior Rugby games like many other Dads, offering the boys encouragement. His involvement has been through the Mosman Juniors and here we are not talking 20 years ago. In 2007, his son Angus was named Best Back when playing U13s for the Mosman Dolphins. In 2012 Angus was the Australian Schools halfback in the team that beat New Zealand Schools on NZ soil for the second time – ever.

Bill Pulver in front of the ARU Trophy Cabinet which would look even better with some new silverware

Grassroots rugby has been a part of Bill Pulver’s recent life. He has experienced first-hand the contribution of volunteers, the importance of Juniors Rugby to the game’s future and the significance of grassroots pathways to higher levels.

Will he have to inject some discipline to focus away from these levels of rugby? Pulver replied to this question with “I will be looking to embrace the importance of all levels of rugby.” And in a statement he said, “We need to support every effort in community rugby to expand participation in the game.”

Bill Pulver and his wife Belinda (a successful businesswoman) are among the who’s who of Sydney society but an example of the down-to-earth side was his quote to the press, “All the family are rugby tragics…they will be licking their lips watching all this tonight.”

Does one get the sense of change at the ARU? Yes. Chairman Michael Hawker (who introduced Pulver), is an extraordinary achiever on and off the field, is rated very highly and another who is aligned with all levels of rugby.

First focus will be the Wallabies and we say welcome to Bill Pulver who takes up his role on February 1.

Several boxes ticked with a few that can only be filled in as the year progresses.