NRL appoints head of integrity unit

The National Rugby League has appointed its General Manager of Integrity and General Counsel to lead the NRL's Integrity Unit and to oversee Corporate Governance and regulation.

The appointment of highly respected lawyer and sports administrator, Nick Weeks, to drive greater focus on integrity issues across the NRL is a key step in the game's management restructure. Weeks will also sit as a member of the NRL Executive Committee.

Weeks enjoyed an outstanding legal career in Australia and the USA before joining the Australian Rugby Union in 2006.

Currently the ARU General Manager of Strategy, Corporate Affairs and Legal, he has worked on key policy issues across sports both nationally and internationally.

In his new role, Weeks will support NRL Chief Operating Officer, Jim Doyle, who heads one of seven divisions in the new NRL structure.

NRL Chief Executive Dave Smith, described the appointment as a key step in developing stronger integrity and compliance procedures across the game.

Smith explained "Nick brings a lot of valuable experience to the NRL and I am delighted to have him join the team.

"Integrity and compliance across the NRL administration, our clubs and the State Leagues are fundamental to our core values of Excellence, Courage, Inclusiveness and Teamwork.

"They are the things that will define our reputation, our brand and the extent to which sponsors will grow with us.

"They are the things that will ensure our fans and our participants keep faith with The Greatest Game of All.

"To achieve our strategic targets we need to be confident that the right systems are in place and that they are being followed and Nick will oversee those processes."