RLIF appoint Wood as chief executive
The Rugby League International Federation have appointed Nigel Wood as their new chief executive.
The unanimous decision was taken by the RLIF Board following the Men’s and Women’s 2017 Rugby League World Cups, staged in Australia, New Zealand and Papua New Guinea.
He only left his role as the RFL chief executive last week but Wood will take up his new role properly later this year and will follow inaugural CEO, David Collier OBE, into the position.
Collier will now stand down as chairman of the RLIF as a result and the RLIF board will now consider nominations for its next chair in February.
And Wood is delighted to have been appointed chief executive of the RLIF.
He said: “I feel honoured and humbled to be asked to serve the RLIF as CEO for the next phase of its development.
“International Rugby League is a wonderful and essential aspect of our sport as the images, testimonials and emotions of the recent World Cups have once again demonstrated.
“I believe these are exciting times as more and more people recognise the role of international Rugby League has in developing the whole sport.
“New countries and investors are attracted to our sport and I look forward to working with all parties, clubs and other key stakeholders to ensure that we give players, supporters and commercial and broadcast partners the most compelling international calendar that we possibly can.”
And RLIF Deputy chairman, John Grant, is happy to have Wood come on board.
He said: “We are delighted to have reached an agreement with Nigel to take over as the executive lead for the RLIF at this time.
“Nigel is a 10-year CEO with a proven track record as a Rugby League Administrator of the highest standard, is respected on both sides of the world, has an intimate understanding of the complex relationship between domestic and international Rugby League, and provides a fast start in the role at a time when capitalising on the momentum created by the 2017 World Cup is critical.”
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