Senior Rugby Football League member resigns

It has been confirmed that the Board of the Rugby Football League have accepted the resignation of one of their senior members.

Sandy Lindsay, who served as the Senior Non-Executive Director, has resigned with the Rugby Football League releasing a statement to confirm her departure.

Lindsay was one of two senior figures at the RFL named in a report by the i Paper which claimed several leading faces in Super League wanted to oust her and the governing body’s Chairman Simon Johnson.

Derek Beaumont, reported to be one of those leading Super League figures, commented on those reports at the time but more specifically on Simon Johnson who he labelled a “busy guy” as he called for a “change in the direction of travel”.

He did not comment on Lindsay but today’s news has confirmed her exit from the Rugby Football League with Lindsay commenting on her decision as well.

Senior Rugby Football League member resigns

A statement on the RFL website revealed the news, stating: “The Board of the Rugby Football League have accepted the resignation of Sandy Lindsay MBE, the Senior Non-Executive Director.

“Any search process to appoint a new independent Director of the RFL Board would be established after the spring Council meeting.

“The RFL’s Senior Non-Executive Director since July 2022, Sandy joined the Board in October 2019 and has given more than five years of service to the sport.”

Confirming her resignation, Simon Johnson, Chair of the Rugby League said:

“Sandy offered her resignation on 28 January, 2025, and this was accepted by the Board, reluctantly and with huge appreciation for her work, at the end of February. We understand and respect her decision.

“I would like to thank Sandy for her years of service to the sport, in particular, the support and guidance she has offered through her vitally important role chairing and updating the constitution and membership of the Community Board. Delivered in partnership with them and driven by Sandy, the Our League Active membership scheme now brings almost £¾ million pounds annually into the community game.

“Given the Resolutions on the agenda at the Council, a decision on the next steps for recruitment to the RFL Board will be taken after that meeting.”

Sandy Lindsay MBE added: “I thought long and hard on my decision to resign at the end of January.

“Working within the Community Game, as Board Chair, was truly enjoyable and our achievements together, with wonderful people, bring huge pride.

“I’m also proud of achievements across so many areas of the sport in my five years serving the RFL Board. The changes are working and we’ve made these, in a complex world, through respecting the rules and the constitution that we must live by as a Governing Body.

“This is a breathtaking sport and it creates communities that are unparalleled. The only way to ensure the sport has the growth, impact and success it deserves is for all to work together, with common purpose. Now, more than ever, Rugby League needs stability.

“I wish the sport, and those who care about it so deeply, the very best future.”