Female CEO Takes Reins of Men of League

Sports foundation, Men of League, has appointed its first female Chief Executive Officer.

New Men of League Chief Executive Officer Corene Strauss.

Corene Strauss, former Legacy Australia Council National Marketing Manager,  is now heading the organisation, which supports players, coaches, referees, officials and administrators from all levels of the game, as well as their families and the broader rugby league community.

Men of League President Ron Coote said Strauss was the standout candidate for the role due to her extensive experience in not-for-profit management, marketing and fundraising.

“Her combination of business and marketing acumen coupled with her experience in the not-for-profit sector, especially with such a huge volunteer network, was unrivalled,” Coote said.

“Corene loves the game and is proud of her rugby league family. Her brother Jacey Strauss was the co-founder and foundation Chairman of the South African Rugby League and still sits on the Board. Her cousin Tiaan played for the Cronulla Sharks in the 1990s and coached the South African national team in 1997.”

Strauss joins Men of League from Legacy where she oversaw exceptional growth in reputation and revenue during her seven-year tenure as national marketing manager, building partnerships with high profile brands including VB, Telstra, Commonwealth Bank, Woolworths, the Invocare group and Defence Housing Australia.

NRL CEO Dave Smith said the appointment would ensure the Foundation continues to develop in its charitable goals.

“The Men of League play a vital role in the game. We have worked closely with them over the last year and it is clear that the appointment of a CEO of Corene’s experience is an opportunity to take the organisation to a new level and to help even more people in need.”

Strauss said she was looking forward to the opportunity to combining her love of rugby league with her passion for community work.

“Having grown up surrounded by sports fanatics, I love watching rugby league and appreciate the historical significance of the game and its proud place in Australian culture.

“After my time with Legacy, I believe my experience can help build Men of League’s capacity to assist those in need in the rugby league community. I particularly look forward to working with the NRL to forge greater ties and build awareness of this great organisation.”

Corene completed her Master’s in Business at UNSW. She was Marketing Manager at the University of New South Wales, prior to moving to the Australian Graduate School of Management (“AGSM”), where she was Associate Director – Corporate and Alumni Relations.

Here she was responsible for building a community of more than 10,000 MBA alumni by pioneering a significant volunteer network and alliances in Australia and overseas, (including Harvard, Stanford and London Business School) to build and enhance the organisation’s reputation and to strengthen the networks.

A passionate cause related marketing and management professional, Corene joined Legacy (NSW) as the Marketing Manager in November 2006. She was appointed as Legacy’s first National Marketing Manager in June 2009.