Benjamin Ikin was born on 21 February 1977 and is an Australian former professional rugby league footballer, and the CEO of the Queensland Rugby League from 22 May 2023.
18 Facts About Ben Ikin
1.
2.
Ben Ikin 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.
3.
An Australian international and Queensland State of Origin representative centre turned five-eighth, Ikin played club football for the Gold Coast Seagulls, the North Sydney Bears and the Brisbane Broncos, with whom he won the 2000 premiership, before being forced into early retirement in 2004 by injury.
4.
Ben Ikin finished the 1996 season as North Sydney's top try scorer.
5.
Ben Ikin played in the club's shock preliminary final loss to St George.
6.
Ben Ikin then tried to gain a release from his contract to play with premiers the Brisbane Broncos in 1999, but his request was refused.
7.
Ben 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.
8.
In 2000, Ben Ikin finally got the chance to link with Brisbane when North Sydney was forced into a joint venture with the Manly-Warringah Sea Eagles.
9.
Ben Ikin finished his first season with the Broncos playing five-eighth in the club's 2000 NRL grand final win over the Sydney Roosters.
10.
In 2000, Ben Ikin was awarded the Australian Sports Medal for his contribution to Australia's international standing in the sport of rugby league.
11.
Ben Ikin considered playing for Wales in the 2000 Rugby League World Cup due to his Welsh heritage through his grandfather.
12.
Ben Ikin made a successful comeback from his injury, even returning to State of Origin duty, but he had lost a lot of his speed and stood down from the Broncos' elite squad at the end of 2003.
13.
Ben Ikin was a rugby league commentator for the Nine Network and regularly appeared on The Sunday Footy Show.
14.
Until June 2021, Ben Ikin was host of NRL 360 on Fox Sports alongside journalist Paul Kent.
15.
Ben Ikin started as Football and Performance Director for the Brisbane Broncos on 28 June 2021.
16.
Ben Ikin's middle brother, Sean, was a recording artist with Universal Records from 1999 to 2002.
17.
Ben Ikin recorded an independent album in London UK in 2005 called Gallery of Murmurs.
18.
Ben Ikin's youngest brother, Anthony, is a public speaker and life coach, as well as a five-time Australian aerobics champion and a top-twenty contestant in So You Think You Can Dance Australia.