Adam Hills: Australian comedian to take over as RFL president in 2025

Comedian Adam Hills will become the president of the Rugby Football League in 2025.

The 54-year-old will succeed Sir Lindsay Hoyle, the speaker of the House of Commons, and is the first Australian to hold the honorary position.

Hills will be formally elected during the December meeting of the Rugby League Council, whose members were told of the proposal during Wednesday’s annual general meeting.

“I am delighted that Adam Hills MBE has accepted our invitation to succeed Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP,” RFL chief executive Tony Sutton said.

“There has been no more enthusiastic or eloquent advocate for rugby league in the media than Adam in recent years, whether as host of Channel 4’s Super League coverage, or welcoming our England Wheelchair World Cup winners as guests on The Last Leg.”

Meanwhile, the Rugby League Council also approved the election of Julia Newton as non-executive director of the RFL’s independent board.

Newton, who also holds roles with GB Taekwondo and Women in Sport, joins Sandy Lindsay MBE, Dr Cherrie Daley and Simon Johnson on the RFL’s independent board, alongside Sutton with former Leeds Rhinos, England and Great Britain forward Jamie Jones-Buchanan acting as an observer.

The council also approved the RFL’s consolidated accounts for 2023 during Wednesday’s meeting, which showed a loss before tax of £53,000, down from £946,000 in 2022.

“A small profit had been budgeted (£32,000) – the accounts explain that the shortfall ‘predominantly relates to write-offs and unplanned costs of wrapping up of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 which was held in Autumn 2022’,” the RFL said .

The council was also informed of the impact the proposed sale of Bradford Bull’s Odsal home could have on the league’s 2024 cash flow and accounts, with a final decision from the RFL Board expected to be made “in the coming days”.