A HEXHAM resident and town councillor who has helped rugby players and their families cope with life-changing circumstances has received his MBE.

Stephen Ball was awarded an MBE for services to rugby league charities in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021.

Mr Ball is the General Manager of the Rugby League Benevolent Fund, an independent charity that provides assistance to players affected by life-changing injuries, and in some cases, families who have lost loved ones playing their chosen sport.

He was nominated for the award by some of the families he has supported.

At the beginning of last month, Mr Ball was invited to receive his MBE from Prince William at Windsor Castle.

Hexham Courant: Coun. Ball received his MBE from Prince William.Coun. Ball received his MBE from Prince William.

"We made a big occasion of it," said Mr Ball, who went down to Windsor for a few days with his wife, daughter, and grandchildren. 

Mr Ball said Prince William told him he was aware of the work he did.

"He said rugby was very good at looking after people who got serious injuries, and that other sports could learn from our example," Mr Ball added.

"I said to him that rugby league isn't a very wealthy sport, but it's rich in its values.

"We lead by example and other sports are beginning to put as much into player's welfare as we do.

"It was a great occasion, and knowing that the future King of England knows a little bit about the work that you do is fantastic.

"I accept completely that the honour I've got wasn't about me, it was about the work that the charity does, and a lot of people play their part in it.

"It's a big acknowledgement of the values of rugby league."

Mr Ball said he enjoyed meeting the other recipients.

"There were a whole variety of people who you just think, 'Wow, am I in the same company as you?'," he said. "It was quite humbling."

Mr Ball has previously served as director of the RFL, director of Leeds Rhinos, chief executive of Hull FC, and as chairman of both Batley and Hunslet.

As well as being a town councillor, Mr Ball is Chair of Trustees at Hexham Community Centre, Trustee of Hexham Youth Initiative and a volunteer rugby coach at Hexham Middle School.