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UPDATE: A day after Ben Ikin quit his role as Brisbane Broncos head of football operations, he’s been appointed chief executive of the Queensland Rugby League.
Ikin’s move to the QRL comes after a Broncos stint that lasted almost two years, a time in which Ikin oversaw Brisbane’s rise from competition battlers to heavyweights.
“Ben brings an immense amount of rugby league knowledge with him and is widely respected in the game,” said QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher.
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Ikin said it was “a great honour” to be given the QRL position.
“The QRL has a very long, proud history and is responsible for a very important part of rugby league across the state,” Ikin said.
“I look forward to working with our staff and stakeholders to ensure that the way we do things in Queensland is both preserved and respected.”
The Broncos finished in 14th on the ladder in Ikin’s first season as head of football operations, but the club is on top of the ladder after the first 10 rounds of this season.
Despite the surge up the ladder, there were whispers of a rift dividing Ikin and Broncos coach Kevin Walters over the last couple of years.
Walters hosed down talk of a clash on Triple M’s The Rush Hour last week.
“We’re working together every day,” Walters said of his halves partner in the Broncos’ premiership-winning side of 2000.
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“The media have a role to play in our game: to create headlines. That’s OK, that’s all part of the bubble of rugby league.
“Ben is a great fella, he’s been working with us at the Broncos.
“We haven’t had an in-depth conversation about what’s happening at the QRL. I believe he was having an interview today, so that’s good for Ben.
“He will go — if he does go — with our blessing.”
Broncos chief executive Dave Donaghy applauded the job Ikin did as Brisbane’s football operations boss.
“The football program and playing roster needed an overhaul and Ben very diligently worked with other key staff to knock both into shape, and our results this year reflect those efforts,” Donaghy said.
“We thank Ben for his contribution and wish him all the best for the future.”
Ikin used to be an independent director on the QRL board, a role which saw him lead the pathways and performance committee.
In the 1990s and 2000s, he played 150 first-grade games with the Gold Coast Seagulls, North Sydney Bears and Broncos, including 55 matches with Brisbane.
Ikin played at five-eighth in the Broncos’ victory over the Roosters in the 2000 NRL grand final.
He also made 17 State of Origin appearances for Queensland and remains the youngest Origin debutant, having played his first match at 18 years and 82 days in game one of the 1995 series.
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