Euan Aitken Joins RLPA Board at 2026 AGM

The Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) is pleased to welcome Euan Aitken and Jack Cogger to the Board after they joined as Directors at the RLPA Annual General Meeting in February 2026.

Euan Aitken joins the RLPA Board

Euan has been a vocal and passionate player advocate for many years and has been an important player in the RLPA’s leadership structure acting, as a Delegate at all four of his NRL clubs, the Dragons, Warriors, Dolphins and Rabbitohs.

In 2024, Euan joined the Men’s Player Advisory Group, selflessly dedicating more of his time and experience to an essential player advocacy group.

“I’m proud to have been elected to the RLPA Board as a player Director,” Aitken said.

“I’m grateful to our united members, Chair Steven Harker, CEO Clint Newton and my fellow Directors for the trust they’ve placed in me.

“With the current CBA term approaching its final year, I am excited to learn and develop in this role over the short term before we begin negotiations for a new CBA that continues to relentlessly and respectfully advance the terms and conditions of male and female players."

Jack Cogger joins RLPA Board

Like Euan, Jack Cogger has been an important player leader for the RLPA. Jack has been a club Delegate at the Panthers, Knights and Bulldogs and joined the Men’s Player Advisory Group in 2024.

“I want to thank the RLPA Board and all the players for putting their trust in me,” Cogger said.

“To join the RLPA Board as a player Director is a huge honour and a responsibility I don’t take lightly.

“As a player, I have the highest regard for the player Directors and non-player Directors who have done so much for our members over the past few years, under the leadership of Dr Deidre Anderson AM and now Chair Steven Harker AM.

“To now join them and contribute to the current playing group and past players is a huge source of pride for me.”

Chair Steven Harker AM welcomes Euan and Jack to the RLPA Board

“On behalf of the Directors, it’s a pleasure to welcome Euan and Jack to the RLPA Board,” Mr Harker AM said.

“Euan and Jack are outstanding player advocates and leaders. They’ve already made a significant contribution to the players' association through their crucial roles as Delegates at multiple clubs and their valuable representation on the Men’s Player Advisory Group.

“Euan brings a proven, values-led commitment to player advocacy and will no doubt be a wonderful asset in his new governance role as a Director.

“Jack also brings valuable experience as a former Super League player with a strong and lived understanding of the transition many players navigate between NRL contracts and hemispheres, which is a key focus of our Past Player & Transition Program.”

RLPA Reports Strong Progress

At the Annual General Meeting, the RLPA reported another successful year of progress and milestones for its members. There were also key objectives reached in the association’s ‘The Advantage Line’ strategic plan.

"The RLPA has had another year of great progress and wins for our members," said Clint Newton, CEO of the RLPA and Managing Director.

"Our Directors have done a terrific job of guiding and supporting RLPA management. The Board-approved 'Advantage Line' strategic plan also continues to drive the organisation forward."

"I would like to congratulate Euan and Jack for joining the Board as Directors, both great people and player advocates with experiences and insights that will benefit the collective. I would also like to thank Dale Finucane and Shaun Lane who both recently departed the RLPA Board following their employment at the RLPA, but we are very grateful to be able to continue working alongside them in a different and exciting capacity."

Key highlights for the year included:

• Maintained disciplined financial management with consistent positive operating performance.
• Recovered all outstanding CBA-related items from the NRL, resulting in nil receivables and strengthening the RLPA’s financial position and governance credibility.
• Hit key milestones in ‘The Advantage Line’ strategic plan with 80% of Horizon One projects completed, along with 95% forecast completion – well above benchmark standards.
• Despite market volatility, continued growth in the Retirement Fund and Injury Hardship and Medical Funds, protecting the long-term interests of players.
• Through formal consultation and agreement with NRLW players, secured contract reforms for NRLW clubs and players that allowed for two new supplementary squad players outside the Top 24.
• Record player engagement with the annual player survey, further establishing a scaled Players’ Pulse as a cornerstone of player advocacy, highlighting player trust in the association, the survey processes and communication strategies with clubs and the public.
• Held the Women’s Vision Day at Westpac HQ with player leaders to develop a Women’s Strategy designed by players, 12 months ahead of schedule.
• Successfully advocated and secured the Independent Decision Maker (IDM) model for procedural fairness in integrity matters.
• Finalised Anti-Tampering Rules with the NRL, aimed at reducing speculation that destabilises the contracts of registered players.
• Launched new medical benefits in the Medical Pillar of the Past Player & Transition Program, including the Past Player Medical Support Fund, the Medical Referral Network, and partnerships with Lumus Imaging and Westfund Health Insurance.
• Launch of the Member Benefits program for current and past players, with 16 program supporters providing exclusive discounts or benefits to RLPA members.
• Proudly appointed the RLPA’s first-ever Tongan international player as General President, Felise Kaufusi.

The RLPA remains committed to being the strongest players’ association in the region, ensuring members’ voices are heard, respected, and protected.

RLPA Board of Directors

• Felise Kaufusi (General President)
• Steven Harker AM (Chair)
• Clint Newton OAM (Managing Director)
• Dr Deidre Anderson AM
• Tim Gordon
• Chad Townsend
• Chelsea Lenarduzzi
• Kennedy Cherrington
• Madison Bartlett
• Euan Aitken
• Jack Cogger