Arabic version: استقالة الرئيس التنفيذي لنادي بيرث بيرز أنتوني دي تشيلي

According to ABC News, Perth Bears inaugural chief executive Anthony De Ceglie has decided to leave the rugby league club. The Bears announced his departure as the organisation prepares to enter the NRL next year as the competition’s 18th team.

De Ceglie was appointed in May 2025 to help establish the club ahead of its NRL debut. The Bears are set to become the first Western Australian team in the competition since 1997.

In a statement, De Ceglie said he was “extremely proud” of what the club’s hard-working team had achieved over the past year. He said he had no doubt the Perth Bears would continue to grow and become “a behemoth of the national sporting stage.”

The club did not state why De Ceglie is leaving. Reports had said the board was seeking to replace him. His departure follows former head of football David Sharpe’s resignation in April.

Chair Ben Morton thanked De Ceglie for his leadership during the club’s startup phase and said the organisation would now focus on its next stage. General manager of football Gareth Holmes will act as chief executive while the Bears seek a permanent appointment.