Kate Hardcastle to make Bradford Bulls’ revival her business

8:10am Thursday 17th January 2013 in Sport Photograph of the Author By Ross Heppenstall, Bradford Bulls Reporter

Kate Hardcastle is settling in at Odsal after being appointed as a non-executive director of the Bulls alongside owner Omar Khan Kate Hardcastle is settling in at Odsal after being appointed as a non-executive director of the Bulls alongside owner Omar Khan

Lifelong Bulls fan Kate Hardcastle believes she is putting her reputation on the line after coming on board as a non-executive director.

The award-winning businesswoman, who grew up on the terraces of Odsal and has been hailed as a potential ‘Karren Brady of rugby league’, will devote 20 days of her time over the next 12 months to boost the club’s brand and fanbase.

Hardcastle will perform the role on an unpaid basis as she looks to utilise the marketing expertise which has seen her win over 20 professional awards, including the Outstanding Business Woman in Yorkshire & Humberside.

The 36-year-old, born in Huddersfield but raised in Bradford and owner of Insight with Passion and the charity Dreamgirls, first spoke to the Bulls about helping the club after news of their financial crisis broke last March.

That did not materialise but talks resumed when Omar Khan took control of the club and she has agreed to join the board of directors following a series of fruitful meetings with the Bulls owner and Gerry Sutcliffe.

The married mother of one, who cites the late Body Shop founder Anita Roddick as her inspiration, said: “I first came here as a two-year-old with my dad and I feel very strongly about the club.

“However, I’ve got to take away the emotion of it all because this is business and results need to be delivered.

“It’s the biggest risk I’ve ever taken with my profile.

“Everything in my career I’ve worked very hard for and built up, so to make this announcement and commitment is quite a risk.

“But it’s a risk I’m taking with confidence.”

Hardcastle will have three primary objectives during her time at the club, focusing on brand, families and increasing the role of women in the sport.

“I’m going to look at the Bulls’ brand because I believe there is a lot of untapped potential there,” said Hardcastle, who featured on Newsnight on Tuesday and was yesterday named the Tesco Mum of the Year 2013.

“The second thing I’ll be looking at is the club’s family reach. How can we make it more than just about being here on match-days?

“How can we expand the club and increase the revenue opportunities?

“I first came here when I was two and it has stayed in my heart forever. We need to bring the next generation of loyalty through.

“There is a lot of talk about women in sport right now, so we have to make sure rugby league is a part of that.”

Hardcastle has crossed paths with Brady in her line of work and believes she could eventually make a similar impact to the West Ham vice-chairman, albeit in a different sport.

Hardcastle said: “Could I be a role model for women in rugby league? I sincerely hope so.

“I have travelled the world and have lived in China, Hong Kong and Australia.

“I’ve been in some pretty big glass boardrooms dealing with billions of pounds, so I can certainly walk in here with my head held high.”

Bulls owner Khan said he was “very proud” to have Hardcastle on board.

“She’s a great talent and I think she’s going to make a big impression and a lot of changes here,” he added.

“We’re very lucky to have her. Kate has been a Bulls fans since she was a toddler and I think she’s ten times better looking than the rest of the board!

“She’s well-connected in the business community and her marketing background is second to none.

“There are a couple of other people we’re also thinking of getting on board as non-exec directors.”

Bulls coach Francis Cummins, at 36 the same age as Hardcastle, will call on the services of Brett Kearney and possibly also Jamie Langley and James Donaldson in Danny McGuire’s testimonial on Sunday.

“I’ve not met Kate yet but it just shows that lots of different points of view will make things happen here,” he said.

“An old-fashioned view of ‘this is how we do it’ isn’t going to work.

“You need different viewpoints and there is definitely a great feeling about the place.

“It’s fresh and I’m sure there will be more great ideas to come.”

Comments(27)

Sheffieldbull says...
8:27am Thu 17 Jan 13

Certainly one of the best 'signings' of the OK Bulls, if not the very best. Welcome Kate, thanks for your support.

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JAtkinson says...
8:31am Thu 17 Jan 13

Sheffieldbull wrote:
Certainly one of the best 'signings' of the OK Bulls, if not the very best. Welcome Kate, thanks for your support.
Yes - with the people on board, it looks like we'll have a viabull ;-) club and a good business behind it.

Welcome, Kate.

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Blotto says...
8:49am Thu 17 Jan 13

"and I think she’s ten times better looking than the rest of the board!"
C'mon Omar she's got to be more than that, unless you believe she's a Tesco product with 29% Horse DNA? ;-) A few more experienced and successful business people will also be useful

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VICTIMISATION says...
9:42am Thu 17 Jan 13

A massive gamble where the heart has ruled the head poor lass .

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theviking62 says...
11:28am Thu 17 Jan 13

Fake, admit mate your a prize plank, reverting to type, don't deny it. More pointless drivel from your limited brain

This has to be a great signing, more Business Know How coming on board. Can only be good for the club.

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fraternise says...
11:59am Thu 17 Jan 13

Success is often by a gut instinct, or the heart ruling the head, whatever that means.

I'm sure we all know the old adage of 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration as a business model, Omar and all the people around him (now including Kate) obviously believe that, when you look at the speed they have brought the Bulls back from the brink, no one could doubt it, could they?

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bullbob says...
12:42pm Thu 17 Jan 13

We just need the fans to get behind the club now (not on its back though) and buy more season tickets.

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VICTIMISATION says...
1:12pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Just remind me of the latest number sold and how many people live in Bradford.

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Ever positive says...
2:45pm Thu 17 Jan 13

theviking62 wrote:
Fake, admit mate your a prize plank, reverting to type, don't deny it. More pointless drivel from your limited brain

This has to be a great signing, more Business Know How coming on board. Can only be good for the club.
Calm down viking, act like a man, not a fish, always taking the bait!

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theviking62 says...
3:53pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Number season tkts sold 6500.

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theviking62 says...
4:03pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Ever positive wrote:
theviking62 wrote:
Fake, admit mate your a prize plank, reverting to type, don't deny it. More pointless drivel from your limited brain

This has to be a great signing, more Business Know How coming on board. Can only be good for the club.
Calm down viking, act like a man, not a fish, always taking the bait!
Ever positive, the guy is a first class pr*ck. who needs removing from here. As to your comment, I'm perfectly calm, have all my faculties, act like a man, I do, but I have taken, not only vile insults, but having my name stolen, guess who by and I'm not the only one. So an occasional "go" at the fool, I feel is warranted. As to fish, it is something I'm allergic to.

Now to you, I would like to think your a Bulls fan. But I fear you are a figment of someone's depraved imagination.

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VICTIMISATION says...
7:02pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Nice insults very mature a credit to the club

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Ever positive says...
7:06pm Thu 17 Jan 13

theviking62 wrote:
Ever positive wrote:
theviking62 wrote:
Fake, admit mate your a prize plank, reverting to type, don't deny it. More pointless drivel from your limited brain

This has to be a great signing, more Business Know How coming on board. Can only be good for the club.
Calm down viking, act like a man, not a fish, always taking the bait!
Ever positive, the guy is a first class pr*ck. who needs removing from here. As to your comment, I'm perfectly calm, have all my faculties, act like a man, I do, but I have taken, not only vile insults, but having my name stolen, guess who by and I'm not the only one. So an occasional "go" at the fool, I feel is warranted. As to fish, it is something I'm allergic to.

Now to you, I would like to think your a Bulls fan. But I fear you are a figment of someone's depraved imagination.
Your are like a school bully and a fish out of water. lol

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theviking62 says...
7:31pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Thought so your, FAKE, talking to your self. Trolls can't hide they're too stupid. You find the smallest things amusing. You must laugh your head off when you go to pass water.

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Ever positive says...
7:37pm Thu 17 Jan 13

theviking62 wrote:
Thought so your, FAKE, talking to your self. Trolls can't hide they're too stupid. You find the smallest things amusing. You must laugh your head off when you go to pass water.
Just because you have a diploma in domestic science you think your word is worth listening to. Bet you are the pub bore!!!

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Shelfrhino says...
7:49pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Putting what reputation on the line?
I don't know anyone who has actually ever heard of this woman.
Yet another poorhouse signing by your small skint club.

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Sheffieldbull says...
8:07pm Thu 17 Jan 13

The crap's really floating to the top now!Little Timmy joins his equals (Total- 3 brain cells between them) Timmykins, has daddy bought you your car park pass yet? wow! nearly 6 years of experience to draw on now... You don't know of anyone who has heard of this women? What does that say about you and your fellow invertebrates? Ask daddy....poor little Timmy.
.
Viking...."You find the smallest things amusing. You must laugh your head off when you go to pass water.".... easily the best slap down of the year!... Victbcslc52everthick
asathief or whatever your name is today, put some cream on it- it'll take the sting away!

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VICTIMISATION says...
8:44pm Thu 17 Jan 13

I am sure she will achieve a lot in the 20 days per year she is donating, Even I don't work that many days a year.

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fraternise says...
8:50pm Thu 17 Jan 13

VICTIMISATION wrote:
I am sure she will achieve a lot in the 20 days per year she is donating, Even I don't work that many days a year.
That I can believe, who would employ you??

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theviking62 says...
9:00pm Thu 17 Jan 13

Shelfrhino you are one big moron, everybody who follows the Bulls know who she is. Ever positive, you and All your various disguises have been found wanting. Now be a good chap, admit defeat. This talking to yourself is doing nothing for you. Your getting very easy to spot. Your losing your grip . Admit it you can't fool anyone anymore. Your finished. I've caught you, again.

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theviking62 says...
9:03pm Thu 17 Jan 13

I am now going out of the country for a bit of R n R, will be back in March. See you all soon.

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VICTIMISATION says...
5:04am Fri 18 Jan 13

There you go Sheff someone who is not going to the game.
Feel free to abuse this loyal FAN cough cough

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VICTIMISATION says...
5:07am Fri 18 Jan 13

What he really means is he is off to change his user name again after admitting defeat .
No one on here had heard me the woman and needed google to help them so why lie .

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RonnieRhino says...
10:28am Fri 18 Jan 13

Heard positive things about this Lady and it certainly seems she knows what she wants and how to get it.

Good luck to her!

I am slightly puzzled though why it's only on a 20 day basis? Yes, I know she must have other things to do with her own work etc but what can someone change in 20 days?

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VICTIMISATION says...
12:35pm Fri 18 Jan 13

You answered your own question, She has come aboard as a fan and as long as it does not cost her anything she will continue and she gets a nice warm seat to watch the game.
Yes she is a smart yorkshire lass that's for sure.

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Shelfrhino says...
9:15pm Sat 19 Jan 13

viking, it is you who is the moron. What is the point of all you bullrat sharks knowing who this freeloader is when nobody else knows or cares, surely her "job" is to attract people who have heard of her but not heard of the bullrats.

sheff,
Hope there's no horse meat in the burgers you spend all day flipping.

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VICTIMISATION says...
10:22pm Sat 19 Jan 13

Don't sla g the T and A mafia,
They tend to cry to mods when losing the battle.
The T and A should not bow down to these babies. If viking don't like it log off under ALL his usernames and take his puppet with him.

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