BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Exclusive: Ben Abberstein, the RFL’s senior equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) partner, has left the organisation.
The RFL has confirmed to rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads today that Abberstein has left the organisation. Abberstein’s role has been to promote accessibility and work with clubs, players and partners to foster a representative and inclusive environment in UK rugby league.
He joined the RFL in 2021 as the governing body’s inclusion lead. In that position he was charged with the delivery of the ‘Tackle It’ program, the sport’s action plan on inclusion and diversity.
Abberstein was promoted to the role of senior EDI partner in February 2024.
An RFL spokesperson told rugbyleaguehub.com Long Reads: “The RFL remains committed to delivering EDI as a governing body and through the sport, working with the Inclusion Board which is a formal sub-committee of the RFL Board, and will take this opportunity to evaluate how best to do that.”
Abberstein is an inclusion advisory board member of the Manchester Football Association and previously spent six years working for AFC Bournemouth.
His exit follows the announcement yesterday that Tony Sutton, CEO of the RFL, will be stepping down. It is believed further departures in the senior ranks of the RFL may follow in the coming weeks.
Earlier this year the governing body received multiple anonymous whistleblowing complaints containing historical allegations of sexism and misogyny in the workplace. That came after an open letter was circulated criticising the attempt to overthrow the leadership of the RFL.
Abberstein has been approached for comment.
