Tony Adams has been nominated to become the 29th President of the Rugby Football League in 2019.
The former Arsenal and England football captain, who has become closely linked to the game’s welfare programmes through the Sporting Chance charity he founded in 2000, will succeed the current President, Andy Burnham, next summer.
Brian Barwick, the RFL Chairman, said: “Tony Adams is known and respected throughout sport and beyond, not only for his outstanding playing career with Arsenal, but more recently for his pioneering work with Sporting Chance.
“The charity has helped more than 400 rugby league players since the RFL entered into an official partnership with Sporting Chance in 2011, and Tony himself delivered seminars at Wigan and Hull earlier this year.
“The game has recognised the importance of mental health, for players and everyone else involved, and Tony’s election is another significant step in that regard"
Arsenal legend Adams won 66 caps for England and set up the Sporting Chance Clinic in 2000 after his own experiences with alcoholism and drug addition.
Adams said: “It will be an honour to become the next President of the RFL. I am passionate about working with everyone in the sport to raise the profile of mental health, wellness and resilience, for players and for everyone in Rugby League.
“I’d like to play my part in championing this brilliant sport on the national stage.”
Carl Hall, Doncaster's chief executive, was nominated Vice-President at today’s meeting of the Rugby League Council in Huddersfield. He will succeed Pat Crawshaw, the current Vice-President, also next July.
