Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington has taken a new role in rugby union ahead of his impending Headingley exit.
National One side Leeds Tykes have appointed Rhinos’ outgoing chief executive Hetherington as their first president and say he will “continue to provide insight and leadership as we strive to be a stronger and sustainable club moving forward”.
Hetherington was confirmed last month as a director at Betfred Championship rugby league club London Broncos.
He will leave Rhinos at the end of the current Super League season to fully focus on Broncos’ attempts to regain top-flight status, ending a near-30-year association with Leeds.
Hetherington has been on Rhinos’ board since 1996 and was also chief executive of the Tykes after the two clubs joined forces in 1997.
Leeds Rhinos chief joins Leeds Tykes
That arrangement – which saw Tykes play at Headingley Stadium and use Rhinos’ training facilities at nearby Kirkstall – ended in 2020, but Hetherington remained a director of the union outfit.
He told their website: “I’ve had a fascinating journey with Leeds Tykes, from the National League to the Premiership for eight years and serving on the PRL (Premiership Rugby Limited) board.
“We are now back in National One with a team and a club who represent the city and region in the best possible way and I am grateful for this recognition.”
Tykes chairman Alastair Da Costa hailed Hetherington as “an instrumental part of the development of both rugby league and rugby union in Leeds over the past 25 years”.
He said: “As we continue to develop, we are delighted to have Gary’s extensive experience with us at Leeds Tykes as our first president, a fitting role for an outstanding individual.”
Despite leaving the club’s board this autumn, Hetherington will remain on the Rhinos Players’ Association committee and is lifetime president of the Leeds Rhinos Foundation.
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