Vice President

In July 2022 the BARLA chair Sue Taylor succeeded the former Hull KR chief executive Mike Smith as Vice-President of the Rugby Football League, joining RFL President Clare Balding OBE as one half of the first all-female duo in these honorary roles.  

Sue is Rugby League through-and-through. She hails from the birthplace of the sport and has been a loyal servant to the community game for longer than she cares to remember. In fact, it was through Rugby League, and specifically the Underbank club, that Sue met her husband John. It was the start of a lifelong love affair…with Rugby League! She even became Underbank secretary for a time, performed similar roles at St Joseph’s and at Paddock, and in 1989 helped set up the Newsome Magpies club – now known as Newsome Panthers.

Sue’s dedication to the Huddersfield Amateur League saw her became treasurer and secretary, with the Pennine League also benefitting from her business acumen and experience.  

In 2013 Sue became the first female Chair of BARLA and brings to the Vice-President’s role a strong and passionate voice for the community game. Among her priorities for 2022/23, Sue aims to promote ‘respect’ and ‘enjoy the game’, help grow participation numbers and increase the number of match officials – without whom there would be no game. 

Due in part to the Covid-enforced delay to the Rugby League World Cup, Sue’s tenure will be 18 months rather than the usual 12. 

Deputy Vice President

Sue Taylor’s predecessor, Mike Smith, has taken up the post of Deputy Vice President – a role which allows him to bring a wealth of experience to the Rugby League World Cup during the second half of 2022.

A lifelong Hull KR supporter, Mike was the club’s chief executive for more than a decade, leading change and development club both on and off the field. As RFL Vice President from 2020-22, his tenure coincided with the most challenging period in the sport’s history – the Covid-19 pandemic. 

Mike brought to the RFL Vice President’s role a deep knowledge of the community game from his previous roles with Skirlaugh and championed the community game throughout his tenure. He represented the RFL at countless civic engagements at all levels of the game – from community club celebrations to Challenge Cup finals – and will be a tremendous asset to RLWC.