Kevin Humphreys (rugby league)

Kevin Emery Humphreys (14 April 1930 – 29 April 2010) was an Australian rugby league footballer and administrator. He was chairman of the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL), from about 1973 to 1983. In 1980, he was instrumental in the establishment of the State of Origin series between teams representing New South Wales and Queensland.

Born in Leichhardt, Humphreys began playing rugby league with the Leichhardt Wanderers and Balmain CYO in the junior league.

He was recruited to the Balmain Tigers in 1953, playing 43 games for the team over four years until 1956.

In 1956, Humphreys became secretary of the Balmain Tigers, holding the position until 1973, when he was appointed President of New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL), Chairman of Australian Rugby League (ARL), and in 1976 NSWRL Executive Chairman. In 1973 he negotiated rugby league's first television deal with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation.

In 1983, the Australian ABC-TV current affairs programme Four Corners, aired an episode entitled "The Big League". Reporter Chris Masters described allegations of corruption within the NSWRL, including suggestions that officials were siphoning funds from particular clubs and international matches, while players and spectators endured sub-standard facilities. Following the broadcast of the Four Corners program Humphreys resigned as Chairman of the NSWRL and ARL. He was replaced by Tom Bellew in the former position and by Ken Athurson in the latter.