Arsenal legend Tony Adams has been the appointed the new President of the Rugby Football League.
In a surprise move the former central defender will switch football for rugby league as he replaces the previous president Andy Burnham.
Adams said that his plan is to promote the sport as opposed to getting involved with how the sport is run.
“I’m here for the game’s profile, and if I can shed some extra light on this great sport, then I’m definitely here to do that. I’m not a technical director, or anything like that – I’m the president, and this is all about cementing and promoting relationships.”
Adams' fondness for the sport comes from the relationship the league has with his charity Sporting Chance Clinic, which provides addiction recovery services for athletes.
“They’ve got players going into prisons and mentoring young offenders, which is great stuff. You don’t see top international footballers doing that. Anything I can do to help, I will. Sporting Chance wouldn’t just get into bed with anyone, and I won’t take this role lightly.
In a statement, the Rugby Football League said, "The role of RFL President is an honorary and ambassadorial role which is proposed by the RFL Board and agreed by the RFL Council. The RFL President gives up their time to promote and support the objectives of the Rugby Football League on behalf of the whole sport.
"Tony Adams is known and respected throughout sport and beyond, not only for his outstanding playing career with Arsenal, but more recently for his pioneering work with Sporting Chance."
“The charity has helped more than 400 rugby league players since the RFL entered into an official partnership with Sporting Chance in 2011, and Tony himself delivered seminars at Wigan and Hull earlier this year."
The role itself is only for one year and Adams will be taking up the position this month.
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