Ben Ikin
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Full name | Benjamin Ikin | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia | 21 February 1977||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Playing information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Height | 185 cm (6 ft 1 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Weight | 90 kg (14 st 2 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Position | Centre, Five-eighth | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Source: RLP, Yesterday's Hero |
Benjamin Ikin (born 21 February 1977) is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, and the CEO of the Queensland Rugby League from 22 May 2023.[1] He previously worked in football operations roles for the Brisbane Broncos from June 2021 until May 2023, and had been the host of talk show NRL 360 on Fox League as well as a commentator for the Nine Network and Fox Sports.
An Australian international and
Playing career
As a
Ikin's debut season ended prematurely when he was injured. However, he signed with the North Sydney Bears in 1996. Ikin made his debut for Norths in Round 1 1996 against his former club, the Gold Coast Seagulls,who had been Re-named Gold Coast Chargers,
scoring a try in a 42-26 victory. Ikin finished the 1996 season as North Sydney's top try scorer. Ikin played in the club's shock preliminary final loss to St. George.[3]
In the 1997 ARL season, Ikin made twenty-two appearances as Norths again reached another preliminary final but were defeated 17-12 at the Sydney Football Stadium by the Newcastle Knights.[4]
In the
He then tried to gain a release from his contract to play with premiers the Brisbane Broncos in 1999, but his request was refused. Reluctantly playing with Norths, he suffered a broken jaw in an off-field incident that kept him sidelined for eight weeks. Ikin played in North Sydney's final game in the top grade which was against North Queensland in Round 26 at the Willows Sports Complex. North Sydney won 28-18.[5]
In 2000, Ikin finally got the chance to link with Brisbane when North Sydney was forced into a joint venture with the
A mainstay of the
Ikin's last NRL game was the 2004 elimination final against North Queensland which Brisbane lost 10-0 at the Willows Sports Complex.[7]
Post playing
Ikin was a rugby league commentator for the
Until June 2021, Ikin was host of NRL 360 on Fox Sports alongside journalist Paul Kent. He started as Football and Performance Director for the Brisbane Broncos on 28 June 2021.[9] In March 2023, that role changed to Head of Football Operations.[10][11] In May, the Broncos confirmed that Ikin had completely ceased working at the club.[12] Soon after, Ikin reportedly accepted the role of CEO for the Queensland Rugby League "midway through (the Broncos) season".[13][14]
Personal life
Ikin is married to Elizabeth (Beth) Bennett, the daughter of Wayne Bennett, who had coached Ikin at the Brisbane Broncos and in the Queensland State of Origin and Australian Test teams.
Ikin's middle brother, Sean,[15] was a recording artist with Universal Records from 1999 to 2002. He recorded an independent album in London UK in 2005 called Gallery of Murmurs.[16]
Ikin's youngest brother, Anthony, is a public speaker and life coach,
References
- ^ "Ben Ikin named new Queensland Rugby League CEO". 7 May 2023.
- ISBN 0-330-35863-4.
- ^ "Top 10 preliminary final heartbreaks". www.nrl.com. 23 September 2015.
- ^ "ARL 1997". Rugby League Project.
- ^ "NRL 1999". Rugby League Project.
- ^ The Independent[dead link]
- ^ "North Queensland Cowboys end Brisbane Broncos' season". The Guardian. 13 September 2014.
- ^ Phil Rothfield & Marcus Casey. "Ben Ikin walks from Channel Nine". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 14 November 2011.
- ^ "Broncos Update: Ben Ikin & Football Dept changes". 28 June 2021.
- ^ "Company Information".
- ^ "Ben Ikin stands down from Broncos recruitment role". 9 March 2023.
- ^ "Ex-Broncos footy boss locks in new high-profile job".
- ^ "Walters opens up on Ikin rift claim — and how Broncos 'helped' him land QRL gig". 10 May 2023.
- ^ "Ben Ikin named new Queensland Rugby League CEO". 7 May 2023.
- ^ "Sensitive new-age Ikins – the Public Apology". 18 August 2011.
- ^ "Gallery of Murmurs by Sean Ikin".
- ^ "Introducing Anthony Ikin | Australian Celebrity Keynote Speaker & Coach".