Ben Ikin

Ben Ikin
Ben Ikin
Born	February 21, 1977 (age 49); Tweed Heads, New South Wales, Australia
Occupation(s)	Former professional rugby league player, rugby league administrator, commentator, presenter
Years active	1995–2004 (player), 2009–present (media and administration)
Known for	Rugby league player for Gold Coast Seagulls, North Sydney Bears, Brisbane Broncos; CEO of Queensland Rugby League

Benjamin Ikin (born 21 February 1977) is a former professional rugby league player from Australia and has served as the CEO of the Queensland Rugby League since 22 May 2023. Prior to this, he held key football operations positions at the Brisbane Broncos from June 2021 until May 2023. Additionally, Ikin was a presenter on NRL 360 broadcast on Fox League and worked as a commentator for both the Nine Network and Fox Sports.

Ikin represented Australia internationally and played for Queensland in State of Origin matches. Throughout his career, he transitioned from playing at centre to five-eighth. His club career included stints with the Gold Coast Seagulls, North Sydney Bears, and Brisbane Broncos, where he secured the 2000 premiership title before an injury forced his early retirement in 2004.

Playing career

Originating as a junior player on the Gold Coast, Ikin set a record as the youngest individual to participate in State of Origin at just 18 years old during the disrupted 1995 ARL season. After a debut season affected by injury, he transferred to the North Sydney Bears in 1996, becoming their leading try scorer and featuring in a preliminary final defeat against the St. George Dragons.

In 1997, Ikin appeared in 22 matches as North Sydney reached another preliminary final but were defeated by the Newcastle Knights. The next year, he played 25 games, helping North Sydney reach the finals, though they were knocked out in the minor semi-final by the Canterbury Bankstown Bulldogs. That same year, he earned selection for Australia in two Test matches against New Zealand, marking him as North Sydney's last player to achieve international honors.

Ikin attempted to move to Brisbane Broncos in 1999 but was initially refused release and suffered a broken jaw that kept him sidelined for two months. He participated in North Sydney’s final top-tier game before their merger. Upon joining Brisbane in 2000, he played five-eighth during their grand final triumph over the Sydney Roosters, despite sustaining a shoulder injury that required surgery during the off-season. His international contributions that year were recognized with the awarding of the Australian Sports Medal. He also contemplated representing Wales due to his ancestral connections.

A consistent representative for Queensland in State of Origin, Ikin’s appearances were limited to six games in 2001 because of a knee injury that also hindered further national team selections. Although he returned to Origin competition, reduced pace led him to leave Brisbane’s elite squad at the conclusion of 2003. While playing with feeder team Toowoomba Clydesdales, he was recalled mid-2004 for eleven games. His last appearance in the NRL came during Brisbane’s 10-0 elimination final defeat to North Queensland in 2004.

Post playing

Following his playing days, Ikin worked as a rugby league commentator for the Nine Network, frequently appearing on The Sunday Footy Show. On 3 June 2009, he resigned from the Nine Network after A Current Affair broadcasted a report concerning his father’s unsuccessful storage business on the Gold Coast.

Until June 2021, Ikin co-hosted NRL 360 on Fox Sports alongside journalist Paul Kent. On 28 June 2021, he joined the Brisbane Broncos as Football and Performance Director. In March 2023, his role evolved into Head of Football Operations. By May of that year, it was confirmed that Ikin had completely exited the club. Shortly thereafter, reports indicated he accepted the CEO position at Queensland Rugby League, assuming leadership "midway through (the Broncos) season."

Personal life

Ben Ikin is married to Elizabeth (Beth) Bennett, who is the daughter of Wayne Bennett, the coach under whom Ikin played at the Brisbane Broncos, as well as for Queensland in State of Origin and the Australian national team.

His middle sibling, Sean, pursued a career in music with Universal Records between 1999 and 2002 and independently released an album called Gallery of Murmurs in London in 2005.

The youngest brother, Anthony, is known as a motivational speaker and life coach, a five-time Australian aerobics champion, and achieved a top-twenty placement on the first season of So You Think You Can Dance Australia.

Sources

Ben Ikin at NRL Stats