NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) is proud to announce the appointment of Simon Kacimaiwai as the new Head of Western Sydney, effective Wednesday, 16 April 2025.
This pivotal appointment reinforces NSWRU’s commitment to its 2025–2027 Strategic Plan, placing Western Sydney at the heart of rugby’s future in the state. With more than three decades of leadership across operations, service delivery, and grassroots rugby development, Simon brings a wealth of experience to the role.
He has held senior executive positions in Australia and New Zealand with Carl Zeiss and Device Technologies, while concurrently contributing at elite levels of rugby coaching — including roles at West Harbour, Warringah, and Newport Rugby Club, where he led the team to multiple championships and the prestigious Cowboy Cup.
NSWRU CEO Peter Murphy said, “Simon’s unique blend of corporate leadership and deep rugby knowledge makes him the ideal candidate to lead the transformation of Western Sydney rugby. His appointment is a major step in delivering our strategic vision of growing participation and deepening community engagement in one of our most vital regions.”
As Head of Western Sydney, Simon will be responsible for developing and executing a unified strategy to grow and support rugby in the region. Key focus areas include:
- Conducting a comprehensive review and audit of the Western Sydney rugby ecosystem to identify priority areas for growth.
- Driving club development, supporting existing clubs while helping establish new ones.
- Expanding school participation across key competitions, including the Waratah Shield (boys and girls), Western Sydney Schools Competitions, and rugby development programs.
- Establishing a Western Sydney Academy to build high-performance pathways and retain junior talent within the region.
- Forming the Western Sydney Rugby Alliance to streamline communication, foster collaboration, and attract community and business support.
Simon Kacimaiwai said, “Western Sydney is the sleeping giant of Australian rugby. This is about more than just sport — it’s about empowering communities, creating pathways, and building a long-term legacy. I’m honoured to lead this mission and excited to work with players, clubs, schools, and families to make rugby the game of choice in the west.”
Born in New Zealand and raised in Fiji, Simon has called Sydney home for over 30 years. His leadership style blends transformational and servant leadership principles, with a strong emphasis on consultation, collaboration, and performance.
He has a long-standing commitment to mentoring, junior development, and enhancing pathways for both male and female athletes across all levels of the game.
The appointment is the first major initiative under the NSWRU 2025–2027 Strategic Plan and a bold signal of intent to reinvigorate rugby in one of Australia’s most diverse and promising regions.
