Bev Risman, a former dual-code international rugby player, has been elected president of the Rugby Football League (RFL), following a unanimous vote of the sport's national representatives.

Risman, who played for the British and Irish Lions rugby union team in 1959 before captaining the Great Britain rugby league side in 1968, will represent the RFL in an ambassadorial role over the next 12 months. In additional to help support the work and increase the profiles of the Rugby League Benevolent Fund and the Rugby League Foundation, Risman said he aims to establish a new association for former players.

"I am exploring the possibility of forming a National Players' Association that will bring the many players who have played this great game together on a social basis," he said. John Whaling, board member of Sheffield Eagles, was elected vice-president.