Former Test cricketer Clark moved on as axe falls on NSWRL officials
Just three weeks out from the start of the State of Origin series, the NSWRL has dropped the axe on several high-level officials, with former Test cricketer Stuart Clark among those to be shown the door.
Clark, who played 24 Tests for Australia between 2006 and 2009, has been the chief operating officer of the NSWRL under chief executive Dave Trodden since 2015, but on Wednesday was told his services are no longer required.
Stuart Clark in his days playing cricket for NSW>Credit:Peter Rae
It is likely to be explained as cost-cutting due to NRL funding decreasing as a result of the impact of the COVID-19 crisis. However, sources with knowledge of the situation said those that will be made redundant haven't seen eye to eye with members of management for some time.
Clark was recently in the running for the head of cricket job at Cricket NSW but missed out on the role to former Blues batsman Greg Mail. Clark also previously worked at the Sydney Sixers as the general manager of the Big Bash League franchise.
The NSWRL has also decided to part ways with head of football Barrie-Jon Mather, who was the head of player development and England team manager before he arrived in Australia to take the role under Trodden in 2014.
Head of performance Alan Thompson, the former head coach of the Australian swimming team and football manager at the Bulldogs, will also finish up at the NSWRL.
The Herald has contacted Trodden for comment.
More to come
Michael Chammas is a sports reporter with The Sydney Morning Herald
Chris Barrett is Chief Sports Reporter of The Sydney Morning Herald.