FORMER Ulverston amateur Ralph Rimmer has been placed in charge of the Rugby Football League.

Rimmer has taken over as chief executive on an interim basis after Nigel Wood confirmed he is to stand down after serving 10 years in the post.

Wood became RFL and Super League chief executive in 2007 and has been a Rugby Football League Board Member for 16 years. He will leave the organisation this month.

Rimmer, who was a junior player at Ulverston while he grew up in Grange-over-Sands and Flookburgh, and who once had trials for Barrow, has been the chief operating officer at the game's governing body for seven years.

Wood is one of the longest serving administrators in the sport, and was one of the two original creators of Super League Ltd and instrumental in devising the Grand Final concept in 1998.

He was also behind the introduction of the Magic Weekend, first brought into the sport in 2008 and secured the biggest commercial deal in the sports history with long-term broadcast partner Sky Sports in 2014.

Wood said: “I am extremely honoured and privileged to have served as chief executive of the Rugby Football League.

“I am an unashamed rugby league fan and can think of no greater honour that be asked to fulfil the role of CEO for the Rugby Football League.

“However, leadership presents many tests, and the greatest of these is to recognise when it is time to step out and this is the right moment to do so.

“I would like to place on record my unreserved thanks to the many excellent colleagues, the clubs and all those that I have worked with throughout the last 16 years and wish them the best of luck for the future.”

Confirming the departure, RFL chairman Brian Barwick – a former Evening Mail sports reporter in Barrow – said: “Nigel has been a superb administrator, innovator and advocate for the sport of rugby league in this country.

“His range of achievements in the sport speak for themselves and he has brought a genuine love of the game to his work over many years.

“His time at the helm of the Rugby Football League will always be looked upon warmly and with great respect.”

After overseeing one of the most successful Rugby League World Cup’s ever in 2013, Wood recently helped the Rugby Football League secure £25m in additional government funding to deliver the 2021 World Cup and improve facilities for rugby league across the country. Wood will continue as chairman of the Rugby League World Cup 2021 Ltd.

He also played a key role in expanding the horizons of English rugby league, introducing the Catalans Dragons and the Toronto Wolfpack to the league structure, while his appointment of Wayne Bennett as head coach of England saw the national side reach the final of the World Cup for the first time in 22 years.

Wood is expected take over as the Rugby League International chief executive when David Collier's contract expires in May.