Peter V’landys lifts the lid on dealing with public ‘backlash’ in his role as ARLC chair and the impact it has on his life, as he claims the Western Bears bid rejection ‘is not a setback’

Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys has spoken openly about the impact his role has had on his personal life.

It comes as the league executive also stated that the ARLC’s decision to reject the Western Bears NRL expansion bid from a private consortium is “not a setback”.

It has been a busy few weeks for the administrator who has been a key figure in recent discussions over the NRL’s proposed expansion to Western Australia.

Last week it was confirmed that the ARLC had rejected an offer from a consortium of investors, led by Cash Converters chief executive Peter Cumins, but it appears that the ARLC is now working directly with the Western Australian government to found the side.

V’landys was re-appointed as ARLC president in February after being appointed to the position in 2019 and also works as chief executive of Racing NSW.

But in an interview with The Courier Mail he has opened up about the impact the busy nature of his job has on his life, saying: ‘It’s really difficult sometimes. I don’t expect sympathy because I’ve put it on myself.’

And he added: “I am a target, there is no doubt about that.” Most of the people who attack me never know me and don’t know me.’

V’landys stated that while he expected to receive backlash for his role, he was always aware that his family could be affected.

V’landys stated that while he expected to experience backlash for his role, he was always aware that his family could be affected.

‘I guess we have to expect some violent reaction. There is no doubt that my family is a consideration.

“That’s why I evaluate it every year because if there comes a point where they are affected, I’m not going to do it anymore.”

V’landys, meanwhile, added that the ARLC’s decision to reject Western Bears’ bid was not a “setback” for WA expansion.

He added that any offer for a Perth team to join the NRL could also arise “quickly”.

“The foundations of a (Perth) candidacy are there, it’s just a matter of sorting things out with the government, so it could happen very quickly,” V’landys told The Courier Mail.

“My dealings have always been with the WA premier (Roger Cook) who is passionate about having an NRL team and has the will to do it, so I’m not worried.”

V’landys (pictured with his wife Phillippa in 2022) stated that he evaluates his role regularly because “if there comes a point where they (his family) are affected, I won’t do it anymore.”

The consortium, made up of sponsors from Perth and North Sydney, had bid too low

Washington Prime Minister Roger Cook said the government “has played a supportive role” in the consortium’s private bid.

V’landys had recently declared that the consortium’s offer was too low.

“All I can say is that your offer is extremely short,” he said, according to The daily telegraph.

“I will have further discussions with the WA Government, but not necessarily with the current consortium.”