Doyle Steps Down as CEO of New Zealand Rugby League but Rejects ARLC

Jim Doyle, CEO of the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL), is to step down from his position at the end of the year, after a successful three years.

Doyle was appointed in August 2009 and used his ‘game plan’ to restructure the league, build long term relationships with partners and ensure year-on-year profits were achieved.

In his time as CEO, Doyle has managed to make the NZRL one of the most pro-active national sporting bodies in the country.

Of his departure, Doyle said: “’I really wanted to make a difference and do all I could to help rugby league become a much stronger sport on all fronts and at all levels.

”It has certainly been a very challenging three years and I feel I have done all I can personally to achieve that.”

Scott Carter, NZRL Chairman added his gratitude: “Jim has an exceptional talent for communicating, an outstanding work ethic and a commercial aptitude that is simply first-class.

”We have been extremely privileged to have Jim lead the organisation through a very critical period and he will undoubtedly be missed by everyone.”

Since news of Doyle’s resignation was announced, link suggesting he could become the Chief Executive of the Australian Rugby League Commission have surfaced.

Doyle was quick to reject these rumours and said: “I’ve seen that I have been linked a few times over the previous few months, but definitely not.

“I don’t intend to be moving permanently to Australia.”