Leeds Rhinos legend Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE is the new Board Observer for the RFL, who confirmed the news on Friday afternoon.
The Board recently announced they were on the hunt for someone with plenty of experience at the top level to attend meetings, support discussions, and assist in succession planning. They now have their man, and Jones-Buchanan will play a big part in the sport's movement for years to come.
Also acting as Leeds Rhinos' Head of Culture, Diversity and Inclusivity, his new role with the RFL will start next month. In such a pivotal time for rugby league, with the IMG era looming over the sport, RFL chair Simon Johnson is over the moon to bring in a person with the knowledge and status Jones-Buchanan holds within the rugby league world.
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"We committed, when recommending the appointment of Dr Cherrie Daley to the Board last November, that we would also appoint an Observer with recent high-level experience of Rugby League," said Johnson.
"I am therefore delighted to confirm the appointment of Jamie Jones-Buchanan to that position. He is a popular and respected figure throughout Rugby League and beyond, having earned admiration in the range of roles he has filled since ending his outstanding playing career.
"To have available to the Board someone with his experience and expertise of the elite level of Rugby League will be hugely valuable to us.
"We believe there will be an equivalent benefit to Jamie, helping him in his post-playing career, with Board experience – we can play our part as the governing body for Rugby League in establishing a cadre of former Rugby League players who can thrive in sports administration and governance, as has happened in other sports."
The 41-year-old, who made 441 Rhinos appearances during a 20-year spell in Super League with Leeds before retiring in 2019, added: "I'm honoured and excited. I love the sport and what it does, it's given me a lot, and this will be a chance to see it from another angle and to work with a new group of people on the Board."
The RFL Board comprises four Independent Non-Executive Directors – Simon Johnson (Chair), Sandy Lindsay MBE, Dr Rimla Akhtar OBE and Dr Cherrie Daley – in addition to Tony Sutton, the RFL's Chief Executive.
Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE will join Ed Mallaburn, Head of Sport at IMG Media, as Board Observers.
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