Bradford Bulls appoint first female director

7:55pm Tuesday 15th January 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Kate Hardcastle Kate Hardcastle

The Bulls have broken new ground with the appointment of a first female director.

Kate Hardcastle, a lifelong Bradford fan and award-winning businesswoman, will join owner Omar Khan on the board of the Super League club.

Hardcastle, who grew up on the terraces of Odsal and hailed as a potential “Karren Brady of rugby league”, spoke to the Telegraph & Argus in September about her desire to help boost the club’s brand.

She has won over 20 professional awards for her marketing, media and charity work, including the Outstanding Business Woman in Yorkshire & Humberside.

Hardcastle, born in Huddersfield but raised in Bradford and owner of the charity Dreamgirls, first spoke to the Bulls about helping the club after news of the financial crisis broke in late March.

Today she was confirmed as a non-executive director, much to the delight of honorary chairman Gerry Sutcliffe.

The former Sports Minister said: “We are delighted that Kate is joining us and is a welcome knowledgeable and successful asset to the new team at the Bulls.

“Her results, drive and innovation are known and respected worldwide.”

Hardcastle will focus on developing the Bulls brand and building up the club’s fanbase amongst families and children as well as creating new opportunities for women in rugby league generally.

She said: “I have grown up with the team and the sport and I would only ever want to add value, to focus the team and to get the Bulls back to a position of strength.

“I look forward to having the support of the club and fans as we venture into new and exciting territories.”

Comments(16)

Shipley Paul says...
8:04pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Well slowly but surely the face of the Bulls is changing, and this can only be a positive move. Lets hope Kate can bring her positive style to the club.

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fraternise says...
9:10pm Tue 15 Jan 13

Brilliant news what a positive asset Kate will prove to be - also a Bulls fan what more can we ask.

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Mr Capp says...
9:52pm Tue 15 Jan 13

If they have appointed a female as a director of our club she must be good! Onwards and upwards!

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VJ Man says...
7:48am Wed 16 Jan 13

Mr Capp wrote:
If they have appointed a female as a director of our club she must be good! Onwards and upwards!
What a rediculously sexist comment. We should be appointing the best directors we can to take the club forward, irrespective of their gender.
Just because you are female you shouldn't have to be especially good to get on our board!
Change your name to Andy Capp or Mr Crapp!

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Ever positive says...
7:53am Wed 16 Jan 13

Great news

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bullybullman says...
8:18am Wed 16 Jan 13

Another positive sterp forward at last we have business people running a business !

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Ralphie says...
8:33am Wed 16 Jan 13

If she "grew up on the terraces of Odsal" she must be as hard as nails. I nearly get hypothermia standing there for two hours most games!

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VICTIMISATION says...
9:53am Wed 16 Jan 13

Can she play prop ?

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UNBULLIEVABLE says...
12:33pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Excellent! , this could well be our BEST signing yet..... I firmly believe the board are serious about building a sound viable business here, which can only mean future success for the BULLS - COYB!!

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Bone_idle18 says...
1:26pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Marketing is the key to a successful business, so it's a massive step in the right direction.

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VICTIMISATION says...
2:42pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Success on the field makes the brand easier to market. FACT

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UNBULLIEVABLE says...
5:07pm Wed 16 Jan 13

VICTIMISATION wrote:
Success on the field makes the brand easier to market. FACT
Agreed, but you can also put measures in place to make sure the "on field" success is acheived, providing you have the right people driving things forward and I for one truly believe Kate Hardcastle is just such a person COYB

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oddshapedballs says...
6:24pm Wed 16 Jan 13

and shes fit!!

Go on the sexist briggade!!!

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theviking62 says...
9:08pm Wed 16 Jan 13

Victimisation, FAKE, reverting to type, that nasty streak is begining to show. You'll be changing your name soon now you've been sussed.

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VICTIMISATION says...
9:46pm Wed 16 Jan 13

What a strange woman you are !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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Shelfrhino says...
7:58pm Thu 17 Jan 13

I think female directors should be attractive, otherwise what's the point in employing them?
This one's a minger.

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