Kevin Humphreys

Former Balmain prop had a highly successful but ultimately controversial career in the code's administration. Humphreys was Balmain Secretary from 1965 until assuming the NSWRL Presidency and ARL Chairmanship after the death of Bill Buckley in 1973. In 1976 he became the first full-time Executive Director of the NSWRL and oversaw many of the changes that the code experienced during the 1970s and 1980s. His dual roles of president and executive director often brought criticism of a conflict of interest but his ultimate downfall came in 1983 after an ABC Four Corners investigation concerning the misappropriation of monies from Balmain Leagues Club in 1977. Humphreys resigned from the ARL in April, citing ill health, and on May 2 – several days after the Saturday night screening of the special Four Corners investigation - stood down from the NSWRL. Subsequent ramifications touched the justice system in this state all the way to the office of the Premier. Chief Stipendiary Magistrate Murray Farquhar was jailed and NSW Premier Neville Wran stood down during a Royal Commission investigation which later exonerated the Labor Party leader.