THE mastermind behind the York Nines Rugby League tournament appears set to switch codes after being overlooked for a place on the Rugby Football League's new board.

And, although he remains keen to stay involved with and expand the York Nines, he feels the fact he has been given no official role within the RFL will make it harder for him to develop it into a major annual event.

Cheltenham-based lawyer Lionel Hurst - a long-time supporter of rugby league expansion and one of the leading lights behind the Summer Conference for teams based outside the RL heartlands - is close to accepting an offer to join the board at Cheltenham RUFC.

He says the RFL have 'pushed him aside' despite his 30 years' service to the game, and cites this as the main reason why he is considering joining the board at Cheltenham, where he feels his talents would be more appreciated.

"Everybody knows my feelings for rugby league and knows that I want to build on the things in the game that I've contributed to," he said.

"I would like to hold a role in rugby league that makes a difference. But if they're going to shut me out then it's of great sadness for me and the sport."

Hurst does not want to leave rugby league, however, and said the York Nines - officially titled the York Golden Jubilee RL Festival - would remain in his thinking.

The inaugural nine-a-side tournament, pioneered by Hurst and held at Heworth ARLC in June, proved a big hit with players and fans alike.

It featured teams from all over the British Isles, including a York Ironsides representative team, and two clubs from France.

"I'm keen to make the York Nines an annual event and meetings are ongoing with City of York Council," he said.

"But it would make my job easier as tournament director if I'm in the mainstream of the game."

Hurst, who has backed plans for a European RL federation, added: "The York Nines would be the perfect vehicle for inviting European countries, like Spain, Portugal, Denmark and Sweden, to taste our great sport," he added.

"But it would be easier to bring that about if I was part of the overall fabric of the sport."

Hurst is also involved in this month's Cheltenham RL Festival, which will feature Summer Conference play-offs and an amateur international match.

A former chief executive of London Broncos, Hurst, who also thought up the RL's new pyramid structure, has made no secret of his wish for a place in the new RFL framework, even on an unpaid basis.

He added: "I think it would be fantastic for the game and myself if my talents were used in a way to help the sport realise its potential, but it's not my decision.

"I will never turn my back on rugby league but one can only stay in the cold outside for so long."

Updated: 08:29 Wednesday, August 21, 2002