Dean Hardman - Tournament Director

Dean, what do you like most about your role as Tournament Director?

The variety of the work makes every day completely different; I can be working on contracts, visiting some of our amazing venues and planning fixtures all on the same day. My role sees me working closely with a wide mix of stakeholders including the competing nations, hosts, partners and other sports. It’s brilliant to see how all parties can work together to make RLWC2021 the biggest and best ever Rugby League World Cup. I’ve also been fortunate enough to be part of teams delivering our International Development Programme where we, visit other nations and share best practice aimed at developing Rugby League, and promote RLWC2021.

What is your favourite sporting memory? 

I was fortunate enough to take part in RLWC2021’s International Development Programme trip to Papua New Guinea last year. As a child I remember reading about this faraway country called PNG where Rugby League was the national sport. 30 or so years later to be able to watch a game in Port Moresby was a dream come true. The game was the PNG Kumuls versus the England Knights and we were fortunate enough to be staying in camp with the Knights team which gave an extra perspective. What made the experience even more special was that the first match of the day was a league match from the PNG women’s league. Looking ahead to 2021 when we will host the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments together, seeing the women given the platform of playing a league match in that incredible stadium was really inclusive and inspiring. Hopefully some of those players I saw will be visiting England in 2021 with the PNG Orchids.

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