It’s been a busy few days for the Rugby Football League (RFL). Several names with management responsibilities have stood down in the wake of a meeting with the member clubs on Wednesday (12th).

Firstly, on Friday (7th) the RFL released a statement to announce the resignation of Sandy Lindsay MBE as Senior Non-Executive Director. Sandy had served on the board since 2019, and had been in her current post since 2022. The process of finding her replacement will be started following the meeting on Wednesday. On the subject of her resignation, Ms Lindsay had this to say in the statement: “I thought long and hard on my decision to resign at the end of January.

“Working within the Community Game, as Board Chair, was truly enjoyable and our achievements together, with wonderful people, bring huge pride.” 

“I’m also proud of achievements across so many areas of the sport in my five years serving the RFL Board.  The changes are working and we’ve made these, in a complex world, through respecting the rules and the constitution that we must live by as a Governing Body.”

“This is a breathtaking sport and it creates communities that are unparalleled. The only way to ensure the sport has the growth, impact and success it deserves is for all to work together, with common purpose. Now, more than ever, Rugby League needs stability.”

“I wish the sport, and those who care about it so deeply, the very best future.”

This was followed days later by the announcement that former Super League referee Robert Hicks had left the organisation, following on from his suspension in October of 2024. He was working as the RFL’s director of operations and legal before his suspension.

Finally, and most pertinently, it was announced today that the chairman of the RFL, Simon Johnson, will step down following Wednesday’s meeting. This comes after a motion of no-confidence was tabled by several clubs for the meeting, and despite attempts from the governing body to have this motion thrown out, Mr Johnson has decided to step down anyway. He has spent almost six years as chair of the RFL, starting in 2019, and has been a member of the board for more than a decade.

Mr Johnson had this to say on his resignation, in a statement released on the RFL website: “I am proud of all that we have achieved in my six years as Chair.”

“It has always been my aim to lead an inclusive sport with integrity, honesty, authenticity and openness.  My interest has always been to put Rugby League first.”

“Now, to enable the sport to move forward constructively, I have decided to step down as Chair at close of business on Wednesday 12 March.”

“There is a need to discuss how change can be made, without exposing the sport to undue risk, and I hope that by  stepping down I can help those discussions to take place constructively.”

“During my tenure, I am immensely proud that we have improved welfare and safety for players by introducing groundbreaking and comprehensive measures to protect brain health, overseen investment in the Women’s & Girls’ game and fuelled the growth of Wheelchair Rugby League.

“We have built on the legacy of staging the most inclusive World Cup ever in 2022 – with Men’s, Women’s and Wheelchair competitions running parallel – and established a long-term and stable International calendar, able to look forward to the benefits that an Ashes series will bring once again. There are more people with more opportunities to enjoy Rugby League.

“I carry memories and achievements which will live with me forever: the annual wreath laying at the Cenotaph before the Challenge Cup Final, the first Women’s Challenge Cup Final at Wembley Stadium and the England Wheelchair team winning the World Cup high among them. On the fifth anniversary of the pandemic, I cannot forget our vital work as we steered the sport through Covid with a ground-breaking Government-backed loan programme and using the same approach of working closely with Clubs that I’ve taken throughout.

“I grew up in Prestwich with an admiration for the sport and if nobody described me as a ‘Rugby League person’ when I first joined the Board, I certainly am now. I wish the sport, in all forms and with all of its supporters and its clubs, the very best for a healthy, sustainable and constructive future.”

The process of selecting a new chairperson will begin soon, with former chair Nigel Wood being mooted as a replacement, at least temporarily, however, these reports are yet to be confirmed. There are also calls for a member-led review of the professional game, with Leigh’s Derek Beaumont, and Leeds’ Gary Hetherington named as likely club representatives to lead this review.

Any and all developments to this story will be reported on here as soon as they happen.

Written by Nathan Major-Kershaw (Site editor & Hull KR fan)

Sources: Sandy Lindsay MBE Statement: https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63526/resignation-of-sandy-lindsay-mbe,-senior-independent-director, Simon Johnson Statement: https://www.rugby-league.com/article/63535/rfl-chair-simon-johnson-to-step-down