Media Release
10 February 2012
Rugby League has entered a new era with the formation of the Australian
Rugby League Commission which from today will be the single controlling
body and administrator of the game.
The eight-person ARL Commission today officially assumed governance of
the game as Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, the Hon
Anthony Albanese MP, and NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation, the Hon
Graham Annesley MP, officially opened Rugby League Central, an
administration, history and learning centre that brings the NRL, NSWRL, ARL
Development and Country Rugby Leagues into the one working environment.
Today’s official handover in the presence of all 16 NRL clubs, senior players,
development personnel and representatives of the State Leagues, who will
report to the Commission, is the biggest structural change to the running of
the game since the formation of the NSWRL in 1907.
Chaired by former Kangaroo and IT industry leader John Grant, the ARL
Commission replaces the NRL Partnership between the ARL and News
Limited. In doing so, it replaces the existing Partnership Committee and the
existing ARL and NRL Boards.
The inaugural Commissioners are: John Grant (Chairman), Catherine Harris
AO PSM, Ian Elliot, Peter Gregg, Wayne Pearce OAM, Gary Pemberton AC,
Jeremy Sutcliffe and Dr Chris Sarra.
“This is without doubt an historic day for the game,” Mr Grant said today.
“It may have taken a little while longer to get here than some expected but
that in itself is testimony to the significance of what is taking place.
“To be ready to bring the Commission ‘on-line’ as Rugby League Central
enjoys its official opening provides a nice synergy at a time when the whole of
Rugby League is looking to what we can achieve in the future.
“The Commissioners will act as custodians for the game and are committed to
acting in the best interests of Rugby League in an environment that considers
all parties but which is not aligned to any one area of the sport.”
The Commission will be based at Rugby League Central, which has been built
with Federal and State Government funding, at Sydney’s Moore Park.
Under its charter, the role of the Commission will be to foster, develop and
grow the game; to provide adequate funding for Rugby League at all levels; to
run, organise and conduct the NRL competition; to organise and conduct all
State of Origin and Australian International games; and to liaise with and
delegate appropriate functions to the governing bodies in the States and
Territories of Australia, including the NSWRL and QRL (the full list of
company ‘objects’ appears on a separate ARL Commission information
release).
Today’s announcement ends 14 seasons of the NRL competition under the
banner of a formal News Limited and ARL Partnership.
“It speaks volumes for the spirit of Rugby League that a number of parties and
individuals have acted selflessly in stepping aside to allow the Commission to
come into being,” Mr Grant said.
Former ARL Chairman and NSWRL Chairman, Mr John Chalk, oversaw the
final meeting of the previous ARL Board and the dissolving of the former
constitution at a meeting at Rugby League Central today.
He said that it was an important step for the future but also the end of an era
for many who had supported the ARL over a number of years.
“The ARL logo has been a strong symbol for many in Rugby League but there
are times when you have to let go of the past to move forward and this is an
important step forward,” Mr Chalk said.
News Limited said: “We are proud to have been involved in successfully
handing over the administration of the game to the new Australian Rugby
League Commission.
“We wish the game and the Commission all the best for the future.
“We look forward to continuing our strong commitment to the game, bringing it
to the millions of Australians who everyday rely on our publications and
products for their sporting news and coverage of their favourite team.”
Under the NRL Partnership, the competition recovered from its lowest ebb to
set records in average and total crowds, television ratings, sponsorship levels
and broadcasting revenue.
The NRL has established the closest competitions in history (with 13 clubs
reaching the Grand Final and nine winning Premierships in 14 seasons), a
new team on the Gold Coast, a new competition in the Toyota Cup, new
concepts such as the Harvey Norman Rugby League All Stars and ‘golden
point’, game-wide player welfare and education strategies and One
Community programs.
“More people are playing the game than ever before, more people are
members of a club than ever before and more people are interacting on every
level from attending games, to watching on television, the internet or being a
part of social media,” the Commission’s inaugural Chief Executive, Mr David
Gallop, said today.
“Rugby League is in an incredibly strong position from which to move forward
and the Commission will provide an important framework in making the most
of the opportunities that lie ahead.”
The move to a Commission has the support of every stakeholder in the game
and has involved lengthy consultation in terms of its structure and the
appointment of its inaugural Commissioners.
Over recent months the Commissioners have met on a number of occasions
to ensure they are informed on as many game issues as possible.
Already this has resulted in a strong voice of support from Club Chief
Executives and Chairmen who have dealt with the Commissioners.
“This is a real opportunity for everyone in Rugby League to look for new ways
to create opportunity by working together,” Mr Grant said today.
“There are an amazing number of positives on which Rugby League can
capitalise at the moment.
“If you had to look at the most immediate priorities for the Commission to
consider you would have to say: Broadcaster and sponsorship negotiations;
the re-alignment of strategic plans and objectives with the game’s new
structure; the establishment of a whole-of-game culture from the grass-roots
to the Kangaroos and working with the game’s management team to develop
new opportunities for clubs, players and fans.
“We are certainly fortunate to have an experienced Chief Executive in David
Gallop and skilled management personnel and their areas of responsibility will
certainly grow under the Commission.
“The Commission is made up of a team of incredibly talented people who
bring a diverse range of skills to the game.
“Any corporation would be proud to assemble a Board of this quality.”
For further queries, please contact:
John Brady 02 9359 8700; 0408 881 222;
David Taylor 02 9359 8707; 0405 228 974;
Tracie Edmondson 02 9359 8706; 0416 258 342.