ARL Backs Independent Commission
11 Mar 2010
The Board of the Australian Rugby League has today agreed in principle with News Ltd. on the model for a single, Independent Commission to conduct and control the sport of Rugby League in Australia.
The Independent Commission will be a not for profit entity that will include the NSW and Queensland Rugby Leagues as well as the sixteen clubs.
The eight commissioners will also be members of the not for profit entity ensuring that the Commission is truly independent of both the clubs and the Leagues.
Rabbitohs representatives have been key people in getting the Independent Commission in action, with CEO Shane Richardson on the subcommittee for the Independent Commission along with CEOs Michael Searle (Titans), Bruno Cullen (Broncos) and Steve Burraston (Knights).
Rabbitohs Chairman Nicholas Pappas also hand-wrote the motions passed by all 16 NRL Clubs at a meeting in January (pictured), moving them with unanimous support from the representatives of the 16 Clubs. All 16 Club CEO’s signed the document, signalling a unified front from the Clubs of the NRL on the formulation of an Independent Commission to run the sport of Rugby League in Australia.
The Chairman of the Australian Rugby League, Mr Colin Love AM, said that Commission would represent a key step forward in the future of the game:
“The ARL believes that the in-principle agreement arrived at today will deliver a truly Independent Commission to run Rugby League.
“There is still a huge amount of detail to be worked through but today’s agreement is a major step in the process.
“Both partners have committed to regular meetings to work through each of the points that will need to be discussed and the complex legal agreements that are involved.
“People need to understand the there is still a lot of work ahead.”