Rugby league has entered a new era with the formation of the Australian Rugby League Commission as the single controlling body and administrator of the game.
The eight-person ARL Commission today officially assumed governance of the game from News Ltd and the ARL after a series of meetings at the new Rugby League Central headquarters at Moore Park, which were officially opened at the same time.
The official handover in the presence of officials from 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.
Only six of the new commissioners were present for the launch all eight have already met on a number of occasions to ensure they are informed on as many game issues as possible.
Grant identified the upcoming TV negotiations as the major priority for the ARLC.
“This is a real opportunity for everyone in rugby league to look for new ways to create opportunity by working together,” Grant said.
“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.”
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