The Perth Bears are thrilled to announce Gareth Holmes as the club’s General Manager of Football.
Holmes has three decades of experience across elite rugby league operations – including senior management roles at the Parramatta Eels, Manly Sea Eagles and the Canterbury Bulldogs.
In addition to this he managed the Elite Programs for the NRL, which included the Australian Kangaroos national team manager role working alongside Perth Bears Head Coach Mal Meninga.
Holmes is the current CEO of the North Sydney Bears – a role he has held for the past five years.
Perth Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie said that Holmes had a proven ability to build high performance cultures and deliver on-field success across NRL clubs, national bodies and international federations.
“Gareth has been working closely with our team over the past year as we bring the Perth Bears to life while also recognising and honouring the legacy of the North Sydney Bears,” he said.
“His hard work, trust and innovation was integral to securing our landmark partnership agreement and establishing our elite pathways system.
“I can’t wait to work even closer with Gareth as he joins the Perth Bears.
“It’s a pivotal time for the club with our inaugural season not too far away now and I know that Gareth has all the characteristics and experience to ensure our football operations will be on the right track.”
De Ceglie said Holmes had won the job after a robust and thorough search that saw many high-calibre candidates apply for the role.
Holmes said the Perth Bears were “something genuinely special”.
"This is an incredibly exciting opportunity, and one I haven't taken lightly given what North Sydney means to me and to rugby league history,” he said.
“I am looking forward to working with Mal and the team to build elite pathways and a high-performance culture from the ground up.
“I've seen first-hand over the past year the ambition, planning and care that's gone into this, and I'm looking forward to getting to work with the playing group, staff and the Western Australian rugby league community to help deliver something the whole Bears family can be proud of."
Head Coach Mal Meninga said he was looking forward to working closely with Holmes again.
“This is an exciting challenge and I’m very confident in working with Gareth,” he said.
