Perth Bears appoints inaugural general manager of commercial
The Perth Bears have named Katie Roberts as the club’s first general manager of commercial, tasked with working with its CEO and former Seven leader, Anthony De Ceglie, “to lay the commercial and community foundations critical to the club’s success”.
The announcement:
The Perth Bears have announced the appointment of Katie Roberts as the club’s inaugural general manager of commercial, marking a major milestone in building Perth’s new NRL team.
Roberts joins the Bears after a 7.5-year tenure at Racing and Wagering WA (RWWA), where she led transformative marketing, sponsorship, and digital initiatives that elevated some of WA’s most recognised brands, including TABtouch and Racing WA.
With more than 25 years of senior marketing and commercial leadership across the sport, wagering, media, and retail sectors, Roberts brings a rare depth of experience to the role. She will work alongside Perth Bears CEO Anthony De Ceglie to lay the commercial and community foundations critical to the club’s success.
“Katie’s track record of driving growth, building high-performing teams, and fostering strong community connections makes her the ideal leader to drive the Bears’ commercial strategy,” said De Ceglie. “She will be instrumental in shaping the fan experience, growing membership, and building partnerships that will help establish the Bears as a powerhouse in the NRL.”
Roberts said the opportunity to be part of the Bears’ foundation team was too special to pass up.
“It’s a rare privilege to help create a sporting brand from the ground up,” Roberts said. “We’re not just launching a team; we’re building a community that will inspire pride and passion for years to come.”
The Perth Bears, announced earlier this year, are on track to become Perth’s newest professional NRL team, representing a significant expansion for rugby league in Western Australia. With Roberts leading the commercial arm, the club is now well-positioned to attract top-tier sponsors, grow its membership base, and engage a new generation of fans.
Source: Bonfire
