Neal Coupland, who is currently the Marketing and Community Director of Wasps RFC, has revealed he has applied to become the new Chief Executive of the Rugby Football League.
Coupland, who previously worked for the RFL between 1999 and 2001 as Commercial Director and was part of a two-man team that organised the 2000 World Cup, confirmed his interest to League Express.
After leaving the RFL in 2001 Coupland guided Netball in the UK to a major partnership with Sky Sports for its domestic and international games.
From 2014 he worked for Premiership Rugby club Wasps after their move from Wycombe to the Ricoh Arena in Coventry, helping the club to an average attendance of over 19,000 in its first season at the new venue.
“The appointment of Robert Elstone as Super League CEO adds great strength to the game and I have no doubt he will put the ‘Super’ back in Super League,” said Coupland.
“Some people say that having two CEOs in the game could lead to conflict, but I don’t see it that way. It gives us more structure. Super League will be able to concentrate on growing its competition, while the governing body can then focus on other equally important things.
“The RFL CEO will have to deal with one CEO of the Super League clubs rather than all the club owners, which has to be an advantage.”
Read the full story in the new League Express.
