Latest news with #Ikin
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
NRL fans all say same thing about Ben Ikin amid embarrassing new low for Broncos
Brisbane Broncos fans are urging the NRL club to try and lure Ben Ikin back after a stunning fall from grace since his departure. Ikin was formerly the head of football at the Broncos, but departed in 2023 to become the CEO of Queensland Rugby League. His time at the club was marred by rumours he didn't see eye-to-eye with then-coach Kevin Walters, and his departure came after his role was scaled back significantly. Walters initially reported to Ikin, but that was changed so Walters could get around Ikin and report straight to CEO Dave Donaghy. When leaving the Broncos in 2023, Ikin said: 'The short answer is I came in expecting to do a certain number of things, some of those things dropped off, and I picked up some other projects." Although the Broncos made the grand final in 2023, they've fallen off a cliff since Ikin's departure. They finished 12th in 2024 (which led to Walters being sacked), and are 11th after 13 rounds in 2025 under new coach Michael Maguire. Questions are starting to emerge about the leadership at the club, particularly at board level. Ikin's name has been mentioned a number of times in recent weeks as someone who might be able to fix the joint and get the club back on track. One person wrote on social media: "The Broncos messed up major when they let Ben Ikin walk." Another commented: "Bring Ben Ikin back no matter what it takes. This club is a joke and should be viewed as one." While a third added: "When Ikin was pushed out because Kevvie had his ego bruised, that was the end. Ikin got practically zero credit for turning the place around - now we are back in the same hole as 2020/21." Late last year, the Broncos tried to poach the Melbourne Storm's highly-rated general manager Frank Ponissi, but he decided to remain under Craig Bellamy. It was a clear indication the Broncos realised they're lacking what Ikin provided in his role, which they haven't been able to fill. The dude had them on the straight and narrow. It still baffles me to this day why they couldn't see all the good he'd done and throw the chequebook at him. — Rupert McDougall (@RupertMcDougall) June 2, 2025 Bring back Ben ikin — Ben (@buskya2) May 31, 2025 Fire everyone. Release every player except, like, Pat and Reyno and start over. Bring Ben Ikin back no matter what it club is a joke and should be viewed as one. — Lukas (@NotPatCarrigan) May 31, 2025 Thank you. When Ikin was pushed out because Kevvie had his ego bruised, that was the end. Ikin got practically zero credit for turning the place around - now we are back in the same hole as 2020/21. — Ben (@orca_chaser) May 31, 2025 It came after the club was forced to deny rumours of Ikin's return when Walters was sacked in October. Ikin was noticeably absent on NRL grand final day, when he was expected to be in attendance for the State Championship final. Instead it was chairman Bruce Hatcher acting as the QRL's representative, and he presented the trophy to the Newtown Jets after the game. Ikin's absence sparked rumours he may have left his QRL role, with many suggesting he could be on the verge a return to the Broncos. But Broncos chairman Karl Morris later said: 'We are very happy with Dave (Donaghy as CEO). We have never had more members and sponsorship, but it's also about winning on the field and that's our goal every year.' RELATED: Payne Haas could link with brother as manager makes call on future NRL fans left saddened over news about Tim Sheens and Robbie Farah With the Broncos in desperate need of an overhaul, many believe Ikin is the man for the job. Whether or not he'll leave Queensland Rugby League and return to the role at the Brisbane club remains to be seen.
West Australian
20-05-2025
- Sport
- West Australian
Meninga gets key endorsement as Perth Bears coach
Queensland Rugby League boss and former North Sydney star Ben Ikin has endorsed Australia mentor Mal Meninga as a prime candidate for the Perth Bears coaching job. AAP has been told the ARL Commission is investigating the concept of a Meninga and Sam Burgess duo as the coaching team for the new expansion club to enter the NRL in 2027. AAP revealed this month Burgess would put his hand up for the Bears gig, which the current Warrington coach and 2014 South Sydney title winner later confirmed. Meninga and Burgess are regarded as a co-coaching pair that have both gravitas and charisma to steer the Perth side in an AFL-dominated state. Three-time title winning Canberra star Meninga won nine out of 10 State of Origin series in charge as coach of the Maroons before steering the Kangaroos to two World Cup wins. Ikin, one of the game's most influential voices, said Meninga's presence in Perth would be a godsend. "Mal is a great leader," Ikin said. "The success he's had with the Maroons is a testament to that. He knows how to create a great environment and knows how to sell the game and stand for something publicly. "The Bears are going to need that in Perth." Former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur was initially the front-runner after he was interview e d by the former consortium that was ultimately rejected by the NRL. However, the end result has not daunted the former star's spirits. "I would say the game is in a pretty fortunate position if you look at the short list," Ikin said. "Mal Meninga, Kevin Walters, Brad Arthur and Sam Burgess . Each of those guys are top quality individuals who offer something different. Most pleasing for me is not only that Mal has put up his hand, but he is on the short list with classy coaches." Former Brisbane coach Walters told AAP on Sunday he had also been sounded out about the job. "I have always said that coaching is my passion. I love coaching," Walters told AAP. "It was just a chat. I'm serious about it. I haven't been offered the job. It was just informal discussions about whether I would be interested. "I am (a career coach). It is in the blood. It has always been in the blood."
Perth Now
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Meninga gets key endorsement as Perth Bears coach
Queensland Rugby League boss and former North Sydney star Ben Ikin has endorsed Australia mentor Mal Meninga as a prime candidate for the Perth Bears coaching job. AAP has been told the ARL Commission is investigating the concept of a Meninga and Sam Burgess duo as the coaching team for the new expansion club to enter the NRL in 2027. AAP revealed this month Burgess would put his hand up for the Bears gig, which the current Warrington coach and 2014 South Sydney title winner later confirmed. Meninga and Burgess are regarded as a co-coaching pair that have both gravitas and charisma to steer the Perth side in an AFL-dominated state. Three-time title winning Canberra star Meninga won nine out of 10 State of Origin series in charge as coach of the Maroons before steering the Kangaroos to two World Cup wins. Ikin, one of the game's most influential voices, said Meninga's presence in Perth would be a godsend. "Mal is a great leader," Ikin said. "The success he's had with the Maroons is a testament to that. He knows how to create a great environment and knows how to sell the game and stand for something publicly. "The Bears are going to need that in Perth." Former Parramatta coach Brad Arthur was initially the front-runner after he was interview e d by the former consortium that was ultimately rejected by the NRL. However, the end result has not daunted the former star's spirits. "I would say the game is in a pretty fortunate position if you look at the short list," Ikin said. "Mal Meninga, Kevin Walters, Brad Arthur and Sam Burgess . Each of those guys are top quality individuals who offer something different. Most pleasing for me is not only that Mal has put up his hand, but he is on the short list with classy coaches." Former Brisbane coach Walters told AAP on Sunday he had also been sounded out about the job. "I have always said that coaching is my passion. I love coaching," Walters told AAP. "It was just a chat. I'm serious about it. I haven't been offered the job. It was just informal discussions about whether I would be interested. "I am (a career coach). It is in the blood. It has always been in the blood."
Daily Mail
25-04-2025
- Sport
- Daily Mail
Queensland Rugby League boss calls for a FIFTH team to be based in the Sunshine State - as NRL agrees in principle to expansion with Perth Bears
The rugby league heartland of Ipswich and its western environs are ripe for the NRL to insert a 20th side, Queensland Rugby League boss Ben Ikin insists. The Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) has agreed in principle to a revised proposal from the Western Australia government for an NRL team in Perth in 2027 which will resurrect, in an affiliation, foundation club North Sydney Bears. PNG will be the 19th team in 2028. When the former Western Corridor bid, now known as the Jets, was forged 18 years ago, former NRL boss David Gallop toured the region and said the game had to go 'where the fish are biting'.' The rugby league heartland produced the Walters brothers, Allan Langer and further west the likes of Shane Webcke, Steve Price and Darren Lockyer. The Jets, slated to be based in Ipswich but with an affiliation with Newtown Jets, has QRL boss Ikin's backing as the next NRL franchise. '(PNG) gets us to 19 teams so it makes sense that we get to 20 to fully realise the broadcast rights opportunity,' he said. 'Then you can have 10 games and maybe the chance to split up into conferences and do some good things with the draw. 'That (western corridor) region has such a rich rugby league history and from a population perspective is one of the fastest growing in the country, and it is rugby league mad. 'The AFL are out there with an elite presence (at the Brisbane Lions' home base in Springfield) and we are not. 'It makes sense to me that once you get through the logistically challenged franchises in PNG and Perth then you can potentially bolt on and make team number 20 something you could switch on really quick.' The Queensland boss hailed the return of a Perth-based side for the first time since 1997 and the return of the Bears who he played for in their last season in the NRL in 1999. 'Anyone who loves the game and there's lots of us, we want more people to love the game the way we do,' he said. 'So taking the game we love back to the other side of the country and giving them another chance to see the best version of what we do in the NRL can only be good for rugby league. 'If Super League taught us anything it is that history counts,' Ikin added. 'It can't be manufactured. The Bears survived for a long time at the top end of the game and continued to exist while not being afforded the opportunity. 'It is a credit to all the people that kept it alive and to see the history that all those good people believed in re-emerge in the elite version of what we do is magnificent.' The Ipswich-based Jets bid would also add the romantic notion of revitalising foundation club Newtown Jets. 'Who doesn't like a bit of romance in rugby league? To have that brand in the elite national competition would be special,' Ikin said. 'In that western region effectively you will drag in Brisbane central like the (Brisbane) Tigers, the Ipswich Jets as another pathways club and the Western Clydesdales out there in Toowoomba. 'The road that connects the two most-western of those pathways clubs is called Darren Lockyer Way. 'If that doesn't make sense from a rugby league perspective I don't know what will.'
Perth Now
24-04-2025
- Sport
- Perth Now
Ipswich next piece in NRL expansion masterplan: Ikin
The rugby league heartland of Ipswich and its western environs are ripe for the NRL to insert a 20th NRL side insists QRL The Australian Rugby League Commission has agreed in principle to a revised proposal from the Western Australia government for an NRL team in Perth in 2027 which will resurrect, in an affiliation, foundation club North Sydney Bears. PNG will be the 19th team in 2028. When the former Western Corridor bid, now known as the Jets, was forged 18 years ago, former NRL boss David Gallop toured the region and said the game had to go "where the fish are biting". The rugby league heartland produced the Walters brothers, Allan Langer and further to the west the likes of Shane Webcke, Steve Price and Darren Lockyer. The Jets, slated to be based in Ipswich but with an affiliation with Newtown Jets, has Ikin's backing as the next franchise. "(PNG) gets us to 19 teams so it makes sense that we get to 20 to fully realise the broadcast rights opportunity," Ikin said. "Then you can have 10 games and maybe the chance to split up into conferences and do some good things with the draw. "That (western corridor) region has such a rich rugby league history and from a population perspective is one of the fastest growing in the country, and it is rugby league mad. "The AFL are out there with an elite presence (at the Brisbane Lions' home base in Springfield) and we are not. "It makes sense to me that once you get through the logistically challenged franchises in PNG and Perth then you can potentially bolt on and make team number 20 something you could switch on really quick." The Queensland boss hailed the return of a Perth-based side for the first time since 1997 and the return of the Bears who he played for before in their last season in the NRL in 1999. "Anyone who loves the game and there's lots of us, we want more people to love the game the way we do," he said. "So taking the game we love back to the other side of the country and giving them another chance to see the best version of what we do in the NRL can only be good for rugby league. "If Super League taught us anything it is that history counts," Ikin added "It can't be manufactured. The Bears survived for a long time at the top end of the game and continued to exist while not being afforded the opportunity. "It is a credit to all the people that kept it alive and going ... and to see the history that all those good people believed in re-emerge in the elite version of what we do is magnificent." The Ipswich-based Jets bid would also add the romantic notion of revitalising foundation club Newtown Jets."Who doesn't like a bit of romance in rugby league? To have that brand in the elite national competition would be special," Ikin said. "In that western region effectively you will drag in Brisbane central like the (Brisbane) Tigers, the Ipswich Jets as another pathways club and the Western Clydesdales out there in Toowoomba. "The road that connects the two most-western of those pathways clubs is called Darren Lockyer Way. If that doesn't make sense from a rugby league perspective I don't know what will."
