International Rugby League mourns the passing of Maurice Watkins CBE

The board of International Rugby League (IRL) has expressed its sadness after the peaceful passing of European Rugby League (ERL) chair, Maurice Watkins CBE, at his home in Cheshire, England aged 79 from prostate cancer. 

IRL Chair, Troy Grant commented: "On behalf of the entire international rugby league community we send our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Maurice Watkins and we extend our sympathies to our friends and colleagues in European Rugby League. 

"Maurice was a true inspiration to us all, his knowledge and wisdom acquired over his tremendous career in the law, sport and charities was a great help and support for many people in our sport and he will be sadly missed."

IRL secretary general, Danny Kazandjian who worked extensively with Mr Watkins paid his own tribute saying: "I had the great privilege of working for Maurice for six years. Many followers of rugby league, and sport more generally, will have heard of Maurice Watkins but won't know much about him. That's the way he wanted it, letting the multiple sports that sought and benefitted from his assured leadership flourish while he resisted the limelight.

"An intensely private man, Maurice, an avuncular, charming soul, was a central figure in my professional development, the first person I'd go to for advice and I deeply regret I will not be able to sit with him in conversation again. He was universally respected and well liked and it is a testament to his character and contribution to sport that so many sporting organisations will be in mourning at the loss of such an influential and strident presence.

"I express my deepest sympathies to his family."

Maurice joined the ERL board as chair in July 2012 replacing Richard Lewis, and has overseen the growth of the federation from 23 to 42 members covering Europe, the Middle East, Africa, North and Central America and the Caribbean, with more than ever before ranked as full and affiliate.

He was one of the UK’s best-known sports lawyers and a long-time director of Manchester United, during his ERL tenure the volume of international rugby league being played by confederation members increased exponentially.  

Additionally, Maurice served as a director of the Rugby Football League in England for 12 years until 2014, during which time he led a comprehensive review of the sport.

He also served on the boards of Lancashire County Cricket Club, British Swimming and the British Basketball Federation as well as a host of non-sports related charities, leading the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital Charity’s new build appeal and raising £20m. He was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list in 2011 for his services to charity.  

Speaking on behalf of the ERL Board, Graeme Thompson commented: “Maurice provided great experience in his role, which our organisation massively benefited from. His strong legal career provided great guidance on many matters, governance was another key area he led on.

“His reputation in the world of sport was high and having him as our chair brought us credibility and the ability to develop new partnerships. The initial relationship with the European Union was due to his extensive network and reputation.”

Thompson added: “All our general managers benefited from his wisdom and mentoring, which was always delivered in such a supportive manner. His board colleagues enjoyed the same and appreciated his kindness and the generosity of time he gave to everyone.

“He was fine company with a good and sharp sense of humour and was proud to be the chair of ERL - he loved the culture of the federation and greatly admired the work that all the nations made, in a collective manner, to develop the sport.”

“It is a very sad day, none more so than for his family who are uppermost in our thoughts. We have been fortunate to have had Maurice play a major role in our journey and we will always be grateful for that and remember his unstinting contribution accordingly.”