Knights GM of football Peter Parr identified as contender to lead Bears roster drive

One of the most experienced football administrators in the code has been identified as a target to oversee the massive recruitment drive and build of the NRL’s new Perth franchise.

Knights GM of football Peter Parr has been identified as a target to oversee the massive recruitment drive and build of the NRL’s new Perth franchise from the ground up.

In what would prove a significant blow for Newcastle, the hugely experienced Parr has been linked to the GM of football role of the yet-to-be formalised WA Bears by working as the right-hand man to coaching frontrunner, Brad Arthur.

It’s understood a third-party with vested interests in the success of the Perth-based team has made it known to Arthur that Parr is a priority target.

The NRL are aiming to add the Bears to the NRL competition for the 2027 season.

The short runway for launch of the new franchise makes the appointment of a CEO, GM of football and head coach paramount in the roster build and set-up of the club.

Outside of a lengthy and vastly-experienced resume that includes almost 20-years at the Cowboys as GM of football and CEO, before joining the Knights in his current role, while also working as the NSW State of Origin football manager, Parr has an acute understanding of what it takes to run rugby league in Perth.

Parr’s rugby league administration career in rugby league began in Perth.

He is the only former staff member of the defunct Western Reds to have worked from the club’s first days in 1992 until it’s demise in 1997.

Parr coached the Reds reserve grade team, before transitioning through the football club in a coaching development role to be appointed football manager alongside the late Steve Rogers and under former Reds coach Peter Mulholland.

Parr also worked in senior football department roles with the Adelaide Rams and Brisbane Broncos.

Arthur, who has had his eye on the Perth franchise ever since being let go by the Eels last year, is acutely aware how important it is for the new Perth team to have a GM of football with vast experience in recruitment and long-standing relationships across the game.

Parr was an integral figure that oversaw the Cowboys premiership success in 2015, while he has also helped orchestrate some of the game’s biggest contracts including Johnathan Thurston, Jason Taumalolo, Kalyn Ponga and more recently Dylan Brown.

Parr has gone on the record in the past to declare why the NRL must pursue a new Perth franchise.

“There’s a great thirst for rugby league over there,” Parr told ABC radio.

“The time zone is attractive to broadcasters and I would think rugby league in Perth would be a very good viable option for the NRL.”

Any interest in Parr being headhunted from the Knights could be problematic with the experienced administrator also earmarked to replace Knights CEO Phil Gardner, who is expected to stand down from the role at the end of this season.

Parr has regularly made it clear to Newcastle officials that he is invested in the long-term success of the club.