Man Utd's Watkins Joins Rugby Football League Board
Sports law expert Maurice Watkins is to join the Rugby Football League as a non-executive Director.
Mr Watkins is currently a Director of Manchester United Football Club and Manchester United PLC as well as being a member of the FA Premier League's Legal Working party.
Mr Watkins is Senior Partner at Manchester based solicitors James Chapman and Co where he is head of the firm's
commercial and sports department. He is also President of the British Association for Sport and Law and serves on UEFA's Panel of external legal experts and FIFA's dispute resolution chamber.
This wide and varied background has given Mr Watkins extensive experience of sports disciplinary processes and
procedures. His work within the sports business and sports broadcasting environment will also be of great value to the Rugby League.
Commenting on the appointment, the Rugby Football League's Executive Chairman Richard Lewis said:
'We are delighted to welcome Maurice Watkins to the board of the Rugby Football League as a non-executive director.
'He brings with him unrivalled expertise in the field of sports law and will be an invaluable member of the board.
'We have taken time to search for and recruit an outstanding person for this role and I believe Maurice to be that person.'
Lewis added:
'With his experience at the cutting edge of the modern sports business, Maurice will provide hugely valuable advice and input on many important projects. Everyone at the Rugby Football League is looking forward to working with him as we continue to develop and expand the sport at all levels.'
Commenting on his appointment, Maurice Watkins said,
'I am looking forward to joining the Board of Directors of the Rugby Football League and playing a role in moving the
sport forward at all levels. I believe Rugby League has made tremendous progress in recent years and I am looking forward to contributing to further advances and growth.'
For more details contact:
Rugby Football League Media Department
Tel: 0113 244 1114.
Fax: 0113 244 1110.
E-mail: johnh@rfl.uk.com or andreww@superleague.co.uk
Mr Watkins is currently a Director of Manchester United Football Club and Manchester United PLC as well as being a member of the FA Premier League's Legal Working party.
Mr Watkins is Senior Partner at Manchester based solicitors James Chapman and Co where he is head of the firm's
commercial and sports department. He is also President of the British Association for Sport and Law and serves on UEFA's Panel of external legal experts and FIFA's dispute resolution chamber.
This wide and varied background has given Mr Watkins extensive experience of sports disciplinary processes and
procedures. His work within the sports business and sports broadcasting environment will also be of great value to the Rugby League.
Commenting on the appointment, the Rugby Football League's Executive Chairman Richard Lewis said:
'We are delighted to welcome Maurice Watkins to the board of the Rugby Football League as a non-executive director.
'He brings with him unrivalled expertise in the field of sports law and will be an invaluable member of the board.
'We have taken time to search for and recruit an outstanding person for this role and I believe Maurice to be that person.'
Lewis added:
'With his experience at the cutting edge of the modern sports business, Maurice will provide hugely valuable advice and input on many important projects. Everyone at the Rugby Football League is looking forward to working with him as we continue to develop and expand the sport at all levels.'
Commenting on his appointment, Maurice Watkins said,
'I am looking forward to joining the Board of Directors of the Rugby Football League and playing a role in moving the
sport forward at all levels. I believe Rugby League has made tremendous progress in recent years and I am looking forward to contributing to further advances and growth.'
For more details contact:
Rugby Football League Media Department
Tel: 0113 244 1114.
Fax: 0113 244 1110.
E-mail: johnh@rfl.uk.com or andreww@superleague.co.uk