I have been a non-executive director of the Rugby Football League for some years, and I was honoured to be asked to become the governing body’s interim chairman in April, only a few months before I left the board of United .
Rugby league has continued to make progress both on and off the field and is currently riding the crest of a popularity wave.
The 27 rounds of the 2012 Super League season, which concludes with a Grand Final at Old Trafford on Saturday, were watched by 1.88m people, a healthy 6.7 per cent increase on 2011.
That appeal is also reflected in the viewing figures on Sky Sports, which have shown a near 30 per cent year-on-year increase.
Some people may challenge that view, but I know my conviction is shared by some of the most celebrated figures in British sport, from Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney at United to City’s James Milner and Tour de France winner Bradley Wiggins, all of whom are passionate about rugby league.
I well remember Ryan Giggs approaching me in the dressing room after a game to congratulate me on my appointment as interim chairman. It was evident from our conversation that Rugby League has meant a lot to him since his childhood, particularly with his father’s involvement in the sport.
RFL has much to celebrate which makes it all the more frustrating that all too often those who claim to care most about rugby league expend so much energy talking it down.
I am not going to argue that all is rosy in rugby league because, like every household and business in the UK, the sport and its member clubs face a number of challenges in the most testing economic climate in recent history but let’s make sure we all pull together.
In spite of those difficulties, the RFL has been able to deliver record levels of financial distributions to its member clubs in recent years, an achievement recognised by it being shortlisted for the Governing Body of the Year award in both 2011 and 2012.
Sports clubs, like all businesses, will ultimately stand or fall on the quality of their own management and, while the RFL and its policies cannot always mitigate against some of the decisions taken in club boardrooms, the governing body remains committed to helping all member clubs run themselves as efficiently and profitably as possible.
Earlier this year we published my review into the governance of rugby league, and I am sure that the non-executive directors’ recommendations for an executive review of policies including the thorny issue of licensing and promotion/relegation will happen quickly.
We are also on course to deliver the most successful Rugby League World Cup of all time in 2013, when Old Trafford will host the final of a 14-nation tournament on Saturday, November 30.
From our offices at MediaCityUK, the RFL’s dedicated World Cup staff are busily preparing for the biggest sporting event in the UK post-Olympics and Paralympics.
Few sports are as affordable as rugby league – if you have never been to a game, treat yourself to a visit to your local club. You will love it.
That is illustrated by the forthcoming Autumn International Series featuring England, Wales and France, which climaxes with what will be a memorable final at Salford City Stadium on November 11.
I’m confident England will be involved in the final and, with tickets costing just £12 for adults and £6 for children, that represents a tremendous opportunity for the people of Manchester to experience this extraordinary sport at first hand. '"
