The South Sydney Rabbitohs have paid tribute to CEO Shane Richardson and his 11 years of service to the club following his announcement that he is moving into a new role as Head of Game Strategy and Development at the National Rugby League. The club also announced that John Lee will become the new chief executive officer of the South Sydney Football Club.
Mr Lee will begin his tenure with the Rabbitohs on Monday 9 February in a seamless transition for the club with Mr Richardson remaining at the Rabbitohs until he starts his new role at the NRL on Monday 2 March.
Mr Richardson will complete his time as CEO of the Rabbitohs after almost 11 years, a period in the club's history in which he helped deliver unprecedented growth in commercial areas off the field, the change in ownership structure of the cub introducing private investment, the beginning of the process for the development of the club's High Performance Community Centre at Heffron Park in Maroubra, a clear vision for the future of the foundation club, and the club's 21st premiership in 2014.
"Shane has overseen the transformation of our club from one of the cellar dwellers to what is arguably the benchmark of not only our sport, but all sporting organisations in the country," Rabbitohs chairman Nicholas Pappas said.
"This is a culmination of over a decade of service to South Sydney, and 'Richo' leaves as a great friend of the club and a great friend personally to many people who are connected with the Rabbitohs.
"We know he will do a great job at the NRL and we look forward to working with him in his new position with the governing body."