Leeds Rhinos Chief Executive Gary Hetherington to step down at end of season
The 70 year old has led Rhinos to eight Grand Final wins
Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington is set to leave the rugby league Super League club at the end of the season.
The 70 year old first arrived at Headingley in 1996 when the club was mired in debt and at risk of losing its home ground.
Over 29 years Hetherington oversaw the club as it won eight Grand Finals, four Challenge Cups, three League Leaders Shields and three World titles for the mens team alone.
There was also success in the Challenge Cup and Championship for the women's and wheelchair squads.
Hetherington is set to continue in the CEO role for the remainder of the 2025 season before handing the reigns over to Jamie Jones-Buchanan MBE.
Rob Oates will take over as MD, with Sue Ward as Chief Operating Officer.
He will continue in his role supporting London Broncos, who are attempting to secure new ownership.
In a statement, Hetherington said: “I’ve had a good innings and it’s been an amazing journey."
"At the outset, we had four key objectives, to give the city a team to be proud of, to convert the loss-making business into a sustainable one, to re-develop the stadium facilities and to connect with our community and make a positive difference.
“Leeds RL and Headingley presented a big challenge in 1996 and a very different one to what I took on with the creation of Sheffield Eagles in 1984.
"And I will leave knowing both the Rhinos and our Foundation are in good shape.
"They are full of talented and hardworking people who care about the club and the game, and I will miss them all, but I will continue to serve the Rhinos Players’ Association Committee and support the Leeds Rhinos Foundation as it’s lifetime President.
“I look back with pride on the rebrand to Leeds Rhinos, the birth of the Foundation, the stadium re-development, our training complex at Kirkstall and the successful Rhinos teams, players and staff, and most of all, on building the club’s reputation to always serving the game in the best possible way."
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