Vale: Ross Livermore

The Queensland Rugby League has paid tribute to one of the game’s most respected officials, former Managing Director Ross Livermore who passed away today aged 68.

“The League is deeply saddened by Ross’ unexpected passing and our thoughts are with his family,” QRL chief executive officer Rob Moore said today.

“Ross was a great man and a tremendous leader who served the League with distinction for more than three decades. While his influence in the game was immense – we are asking for people to respect his family’s privacy in this time of grief.”

In 2011, Ross was bestowed Life Membership of the League at his retirement dinner at Suncorp Stadium.

Ross became Managing Director of the League in February, 1981. He retired in July, 2011, just a few weeks after the Queensland Maroons had won a sixth-straight State of Origin series.

While he took great delight in Queensland’s Origin success, Ross took just as much pride in the ongoing development of the grass-roots level of the game.

He was a long-serving member of the Lang Park Trust and played leading roles in the Stadium’s numerous re-developments, from a primitive sports ground to a world class stadium. Ross also spent time on Queensland’s Sports Federation and the Crushers Board.

During his tenure, there were some bitter battles with the Super League war and States’ voting rights. Both these conflicts were fought in the courts. At their conclusion, Ross and others worked overtime to restore the game to its premier position.

In 2008, Ross was the driving force behind Queensland’s successful Centenary celebrations. His attention to detail and meticulous planning was integral to the success of many events, including the spectacular Queensland Team of the Century Dinner.

One of his last major projects was the tribute dinner for Queensland representatives. Ross took great satisfaction from the seeing the joy that this evening brought to the players who had served Queensland with such honour before State of Origin.