Tony Adams said his role is because the Rugby Football League’s president will not present a recommendation to those already working in the game. He will focus on promoting the sport rather than attempting to have a hands-on function like Clive Woodward did when he took up a function in some other game. The fifty-two-yr-vintage former Arsenal and England defender took over on Wednesday as Andy Burnham’s successor, having been approached to take up the one-year function as president. Adams has had a solid, strong relationship with the rugby league in recent years thanks to the sport’s hyperlinks with the Sporting Chance hospital, but he stated he would not overstep the mark.

The previous England rugby union teacher, Woodward, had an unwell-fated thirteen-month spell as Southampton’s technical director in 2005-06. Adams stated: “I don’t want to get concerned in the technical aspect of the game. I’m no longer sitting here like Woodward did while he went in at Southampton: I don’t declare to be an expert regarding this game; it’s simply no longer what I’m about.

I’m right here for the sport’s profile, and if I can shed some extra mild on this excellent sport, I’m genuinely here to try this. I’m not a technical director or anything like that – I’m the president, which is all about cementing and selling relationships. Adams will call on the expertise of his former England teammate and keen league fan Stuart Pearce to ensure his tenure as president is as a hit as viable.

Stuart loves the sport,” Adams stated. “I ran into him an ultimate week at a game. He loves it to bits, and I will apply him in my team to unfold the phrase that it’s a remarkable sport. I love the honest, open method and the physical facet of the game. I’ve been bored out of my brain at a few football games with all the sideways passing. I’m now not attempting to mention I wouldn’t say I like soccer, and I’m now all about rugby league. However, it’s miles an awesome sport.

Adams admitted that while he isn’t acquainted with the finer info, he has been impressed byby the paintings performed in nearby communities and the merchandising of player welfare. They’ve got players going into prisons and mentoring young offenders; that is exceptional. You don’t see top worldwide footballers doing that. If there is anything I can do to assist, I will. Sporting Chance wouldn’t just get into bed with everyone, and I don’t take this position lightly.

The governing frame has confirmed its miles to finalize Ottawa’s entry into the professional shape in the subsequent 12 months. Speculation is mounting that the backers in the back of the bid – led by the Toronto Wolfpack founder, Eric Perez – had been unable to convince the RFL they will be geared up to go into in 2020. “We’re not ready to verify it,” Simon Johnson, the RFL’s chairman, stated. “Discussions are properly superior. However, there’s a board meeting in August while it’s once more on the agenda.”