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Tony Adams named new Rugby Football League President

Former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams will become the new Rugby Football League president, the governing body announced on Wednesday.

Adams, who won two Premier League titles at Arsenal and captained England to the semifinals of the 1996 European Championships, will succeed current president Andy Burnham next summer.

"It will be an honour to become the next President of the RFL," Adams said in a statement. "I am passionate about working with everyone in the sport to raise the profile of mental health, wellness and resilience, for players and for everyone in Rugby League.

"I'd like to play my part in championing this brilliant sport on the national stage."

Adams, 52,  has been linked with rugby league after he founded the Sporting Chance charity in 2000.

"Tony Adams is known and respected throughout sport and beyond, not only for his outstanding playing career with Arsenal, but more recently for his pioneering work with Sporting Chance," RFL chairman Brian Barwick said.

"The charity has helped more than 400 rugby league players since the RFL entered into an official partnership with Sporting Chance in 2011, and Tony himself delivered seminars at Wigan and Hull earlier this year.

"The game has recognised the importance of mental health, for players and everyone else involved, and Tony's election is another significant step in that regard."

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