The Men of League Foundation is proud to announce that Corene Strauss has been appointed as the organisation’s new chief executive officer.
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.
Strauss said she was looking forward to the opportunity to combine 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.”
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.”
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.”
Men of League supports players, coaches, referees, officials and administrators from all levels of the game, as well as their families and the broader rugby league community.
Corene Strauss Bio
Corene grew up in a sporting family where her father, brothers and cousins all played elite representative sport including rugby league. Corene’s own sporting prowess was as a representative swimmer (butterfly). Her other sports included hockey and now golf.
Corene hit her straps working for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry as PR officer, followed by creating and running her own marketing communications and events company for several years, until leaving Western Australia in 1997 to move to Sydney. She worked with Ansett Australia, Chamber of Mines, City of Kalgoorlie Boulder and numerous top tier mining companies.
Corene completed her Masters 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 over 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.
Corene has a substantial “legacy” at Legacy including developing their first strategic marketing plans and budgets, implementing national corporate partnerships, a national website with microsites for their 50 clubs, a national advertising campaign, a significantly enhanced volunteer network and profile leading to year on year improvements with their iconic Legacy Week appeals. Donations and partnerships also increased substantially as a result of her efforts.
When she is not working you can find her down at her beloved Cronulla Beach, walking the dogs with her husband Peter Lowe, a primary school teacher, or travelling around Australia.
Corene and Peter are keen Cronulla Sharks supporters and she comes from a strong Rugby League family. Her cousin Tiaan Strauss played for the Cronulla Sharks in 1996 and 1997 and he coached the SARL. He also played for the Springboks and the Wallabies.
Corene’s brother Jacey is a passionate advocate for Rugby League. He co-founded and was the inaugural Chairman of the Rugby League movement in South Africa in the early 1990’s. He remains a current board member on the SARL today.
