NRL 2022: Peter Parr quits Cowboys to become Newcastle Knights’ head of football

The Cowboys have been dealt a massive blow, with one of the men who helped turn them into a premiership force walking out on the club.

North Queensland Cowboys 2020 season launch at Townsville Entertainment Centre. Peter Parr speaks to media. Picture: Alix Sweeney

One of the key architects of North Queensland’s famous premiership victory has quit the Cowboys to take up a role with NRL rivals Newcastle.

Former football-operations chief Peter Parr, the man who lured champion playmaker Johnathan Thurston to Townsville, will depart the Cowboys to head up the struggling Knights’ football department.

Parr is one of the most respected administrators in the code, having signed more than 20 stars to the Cowboys, many of whom featured in the Cowboys’ maiden premiership win in 2015.

Parr is also currently the manager of the NSW Origin side, helping Blues coach Brad Fittler to three series wins in the past five years.

Stream every game of every round of the 2022 NRL Telstra Premiership Season Live & Ad-Break Free During Play on Kayo. New to Kayo? Start your free trial now >

The Cowboys have lost their former head of football, Peter Parr, after quitting to join the Newcastle Knights. Picture: Alix Sweeney.

Parr famously poached Thurston from the Bulldogs in 2004, making a secret trip to Sydney to sign the then rookie Canterbury playmaker with the $220,000 deal that helped transform the Cowboys into a premiership powerhouse.

The long-serving official has been linked with a number of roles in recent years, with Parr chased by Parramatta and Canterbury and was mentioned as a possible foundation football chief for new NRL franchise the Dolphins.

But Parr has opted to return to his hometown Newcastle to help rebuild the embattled Knights, who are third last this season and fighting to avoid the wooden spoon under coach Adam O’Brien.

Parr is the second Cowboys staffer to head to Newcastle after his former recruitment chief at North Queensland, Clint Zammit, joined the Knights two years ago.

Parr was the mean who convinced Johnathan Thurston to join the Cowboys back in 2004. Picture: Michael Chambers.

Parr arrived at the Cowboys in 2001 and held director of football and CEO roles over the course of his 19-year tenure at the club.

Since stepping down as Cowboys’ football boss in 2020, Parr has been a member of the North Queensland board and chair of the football committee.

“Peter Parr has been an outstanding member of our club since he joined us in 2001,” Cowboys chairman Lewis Ramsay said.

“It has been our privilege to witness his dedication and learn from his counsel through his operational roles as well as his most recent position as chair of our football committee and non-executive director of our board.

“Peter leaves North Queensland to return to his home of Newcastle with the club’s eternal thanks. He played an integral role for our club and we wish he and his family well in the next chapter of their lives.”

Cowboys’ Origin star Tom Gilbert says he owes his NRL career to Parr, and wouldn’t be at the club without him. Picture: Getty Images.

Cowboys forward Tom Gilbert, who moved from Brisbane as a teenager, said his career would not be where it is now without Parr’s help and guidance.

“I definitely wouldn’t be a Cowboy if it wasn’t for Parry, and I’m sure there’s a lot of other blokes in the same boat,” he said.

“He was probably the first bridge of getting from under-20s or Queensland Cup to the NRL and he was the first point of contact really when you got those opportunities.

“I was very lucky to have that opportunity with Parry and he gave me a chance to get into the NRL.

“What he’s done for some of the past players, too, is he’s been one of the biggest contributors to this club and in its history.

“Hopefully he doesn’t bring too much magic to Newcastle as he did up here, but we wish them all the best.

“It probably wasn’t an easy decision for him because of what the club means to him and I hope he knows what he means to us as well. That’s why it’s obviously sad to see him go but we know he’s gonna do a great job for the Knights as he did up here.”

Originally published as NRL 2022: Peter Parr quits Cowboys to become Newcastle Knights’ head of football