The RFL has announced that four of the greatest players in Rugby League’s history are to be inducted into the sport’s most exclusive club, the RL Hall of Fame.
The inductions will take place at the Rugby World Cup 2013 Celebration Dinner at Huddersfield on Friday November 1 when the quartet will have their places alongside the 17 existing members of the game’s pantheon confirmed.
The four new inductees will be joined at the dinner by some of the six living members of the Hall of Fame, including Neil Fox MBE and Billy Boston MBE, who have already confirmed their attendance.
The inductions are the first to take place since 2005 and RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood believes the timing of the ceremony is perfect with the sport in the midst of the thrilling Rugby League World Cup 2013: the following day, Saturday November 2, sees England play Ireland in front of a capacity crowd at John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield.
“It is right and proper that we elect our greatest players to the Hall of Fame at a time when the stars of today are striving for glory in RLWC2013,” said Wood.
“It is 25 years since the first players were inducted into the Hall of Fame and there are some truly wonderful individuals in there: I am sure that the four new inductees will be worthy additions to this exclusive and prestigious club.”
The four new inductees were identified by a specially-convened selection panel comprised of experienced journalists, broadcasters and administrators. The identities of the new inductees will be announced on Wednesday October 30.
Membership of the Rugby League Hall of Fame is restricted exclusively to the greatest Rugby League players of all time. Each player must have:
- A record of outstanding achievement at the very highest levels of the game;
- A reputation that transcends the era in which he played;
- Made a contribution to the game that will last as long as rugby league is played.
- To be eligible for nomination to the Hall of Fame, players must have:
- Played professional Rugby League in the UK for at least 10 years;
- Played his last professional match in the UK at least 10 years before the date of the Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
The RL Hall of Fame inductions will take place as part of a dinner organised in association with RL Cares, Huddersfield Heritage and the Men of League Foundation which will be a celebration of the sport’s history and international heritage.
As well as speeches from some of Rugby League’s most celebrated figures, the event will feature a special display of the RFL’s archive including some of the very early documents relating to the founding of the sport back in 1895.
