The Rugby League Lions are delighted to announce that Brian Noble MBE has accepted its invitation to become Chairman of their Association.
Brian will be supported in the role by an active committee of Lions and administrators as the Association sets out to build a stronger and more influential voice in the sport.
Joining Brian on the committee are former Great Britain international tourists Chris Joynt, Joe Lydon, David Lyon, Jamie Peacock MBE and Adrian Morley alongside long-serving Association secretary John Ledger and committed commercial partner Kevin Ellis.
The Lions Association was founded in 1945 with the aim of celebrating the special friendships forged by players and officials selected to represent Great Britain, England and – in the 1975 World Series – Wales, on tours and international tournaments played in the southern hemisphere.
The Association has continued that aim for 80 years and will now seek to become a more active force for good in the sport, including working with other bodies to represent the interests of the wider playing community and raising funds for good causes such as the Seriously Injured Players Fund and the Rugby League Cares Brain Health Fund.
Brian, who both captained and coached the Great Britain Lions, said: “Becoming chairman of the Lions Association is the ultimate honour, I feel very privileged to take on this very important role.
“The Lions Association is a tremendous organisation which has huge potential to do so much good in this great game of ours.
“We want to do the best we can, not just for the Lions but for all the current and retired players who feel they don’t have a voice. We will strive to put them back at the top of everyone’s agenda.
“When I go to dinners and other events, I see great players in the room and I continually find myself asking ‘Why is he not involved in the game?’ and ‘Why is no-one asking his opinion?’
“I think the collective knowledge and experience of the people who have played rugby league at the highest level is vital to the game and its ability to make good decisions.
“We seem to be approaching a crossroads for the future of rugby league, and the people who have the responsibility for running the game can only benefit from advice from those who have played it at the very highest level under the fiercest conditions.
“The Lions Association is very important to me and very important to the game.”
Full details of the new committee feature on the website, which was produced in association with sponsors Ellis Rugby.
The website features a wealth of content telling the rich history of the Lions, including tour-by-tour reports, video highlights and a forthcoming regular podcast.
To contact the Lions Association, please email secretary John Ledger – john.ledger@rugbyleaguelions.com