Sally Bolton to leave the RFL

The General Manager of last autumn’s World Cup, Sally Bolton, is to leave the sport and her role as the RFL Director of Projects and Planning.

Bolton will take up a new position as Managing Director of the Organising Committee for the World Athletics Championships in London 2017.

“I will leave Rugby League with nothing but fond memories and pride at having had the opportunity to work with, and alongside some very talented and passionate people,” said Bolton.

“To be able to help deliver Rugby League World Cup 2013 was a real privilege, not least because the tournament allowed us to present the sport in all its glory.”

RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood said: “On behalf of the whole sport I would like to place on record our sincere thanks to Sally for her important contribution over the last seven years.

“The excellence of our events, including RLWC2013, has reinforced Rugby League’s standing as a world class sport and Sally has been a key figure in that.

“It was inevitable that following the World Cup, an events professional with Sally’s proven track record would be in demand from other sports and we understand and support the reasons for her decision to take up this new challenge.

“As part of the legacy of that tournament, other RLWC2013 personnel have integrated into the RFL team to drive the game forward as the sport approaches an exciting new era from 2015.

“I have no doubt that this combination will enable the sport to capitalise on the momentum gained by RLWC2013.”

UK Athletics chief executive Niels de Vos said: “We are delighted to have recruited a leader of Sally’s calibre. She was the outstanding candidate for a role which attracted global interest.

“She has precisely the hands-on delivery experience we are after, and has the accolades to prove it from her successful leadership of the 2013 Rugby League World Cup.”