By Laine Clark
December 11th 2009 @ 1:36am
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QRL say they are not stalling league commission
Offended Queensland officials have come out swinging at the notion that the ARL is intent on derailing the introduction of a new independent rugby league commission.
The ARL board’s four-strong Queensland contingent was left fuming over newspaper reports claiming they had dropped the ball by not signing off on an independent body to oversee all aspects [...]
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Mushi said | December 11th 2009 @ 7:42am | Report comment
These kind of articles highlight why those crying out that the independent commission will be some panacea are extremely naïve.
The commission will not be truly independent, lets ignore that it would be impossible for this to actually occur and focus on the fact that to allow an independent people need to give up power.
Whilst this is plausible for commercial organisations, who’s motives are far more simple, for the truly political beings this is akin to asking for their first born child to be sacrificed.
The sad part is our blind devotion to the idea will probably just build a new power base that we complain about and blame News for in 5 years.
Rob C said | December 11th 2009 @ 9:43am | Report comment
Again I re-iterate, give the game back to the people.
I think the new independent structure should be as follows:
– Set up a not for profit entity called the Australian Rugby League Commission. Then allow the general public to buy memberships into this entity (hence as our Clubs operate now). The memberships should be initially targeted at existing NRL club members and registered rugby league players (but not limited to this). This would have a membership base of appx 500K (initially). Memberships would cost $10 per year or $15 for three years (much the same as a club does now). The benefit of this is that it gives the games primary stakeholders (us) a vested interest in the game as well as giving the NRL an alternative revenue stream to put back into the game. It also ensures that there is clear dialogue with all stakeholders in the game (which I believe is crucial for the future success of rugby league in this country).
- In the initial set-up News Limited and the ARL can pick the Commissioners which sit on this Board. After their 3 yr term is up then they should come up for election and then the members can elect who they see fit to sit on the Board. To ensure there is no stacking, rules would require a minimum 3yr membership with the ARLC to be eleigible to vote and votes be restricted to 1 per member (with no proxy votes permitted).
- This body would be responsible for running the Australian rugby league at representative level to grass roots. The commission would give grants to the NRL Clubs much the same as they do now (hence the Clubs nether own our competition). This would eliminate the risk of private ownership gaining control of our game.
The best part about this proposal is that we would get passionate people with the right motives running the game. There is no jobs for the boys as we would elect the representatives and they would have to meet the key minimum requirements as do Company Directors these days. The Directors would be responsible for electing their own executive lead team and CEO / CFO. There would also be increased transparency with the members as they would be required to provide financial statements annually outlining their spending and performance.
This is a win win for everyone and eliminates self interest. My view is that this is the only structure that we can have and the best one that will engage all stakeholders and give the game the right direction to move forward as a single united entty.
Glen said | December 12th 2009 @ 12:59am | Report comment
Yep you’re 100% correct Rob. Lets give the game back to the people….
…..You do mean the people of Sydney don’t you??? No? You’re not gonna let those bloody Qld’ers to have a say???
Maybe we should think this through a bit more.
Col the Bear said | December 13th 2009 @ 9:33am | Report comment
Great story on David Hill in the Sunday herald today.. I think I posted here recently he should be on the commission he sure has the credentials…..
Col the Bear said | December 13th 2009 @ 2:11pm | Report comment
why not get Alan Border to be on the commission, he’s very independent..
Col the Bear said | December 14th 2009 @ 7:36pm | Report comment
Grahame Annesley just spent 30 minutes on sports today talking about the IC, and other issues in the game..Tim Gilbert bought up the Central Coast Bears, and they only took one call from a Central Coast bears supporter..
He said just keep knocking on the door like Titans did, and they got in..
he also made it clear they didn’t want Cronulla to relocate..he said they have too many assets and probably one of the most financially strong clubs with their own assets..
I keep saying it.. the Red and Black CC Bears are gonna happen..and I would not be surprised if it’s by 2013…
Dogs Of War said | December 15th 2009 @ 6:47pm | Report comment
I think Grahame is just being polite in regards to Cronulla. They spend the least of any club, on and off the field, and although they have a nice income producing asset coming online in 5 years time, it is still only forcast to deliver $5mil a year, and this is NOT owned by the football club, rather the Leagues club. Who knows what the situation will be like for Leagues clubs in NSW with the way the NSW Govt is taxing the clubs out of existance. Either way, that injection of cash into a club like Cronulla will only bring it up to par with what the average club requires. Then you have to look at their supporter base, and the location of the club, and you soon realise that they are probably at the top of their game, and will struggle to ever get a consistent 20K attending, which personally should be the average that all Sydney clubs should be seeking within the next 5 years if they are to remain viable enties.
A few Sydney clubs relocating, or moving to larger stadia is necessary for the good of the game.
Midfielder said | December 14th 2009 @ 7:55pm | Report comment
Col
Was that 2013 or 2103
Col the Bear said | December 14th 2009 @ 8:10pm | Report comment
he he …I have a hunch you may hear some more about the CC Bears pretty soon..
Crosscoder said | December 16th 2009 @ 3:44pm | Report comment
Dogs of war.
Annersley was on the money re Cronulla.They are indeed asset rich,and with the new streamlined and professional admin in place,will ensure its long term survival,and little reliance on pokies.
The club does not get the huge grants the other clubs provide to the football club,courtesy of pokies.They may well find themselves down the line in far bigger trouble,than Cronulla ever was.
The NRL have checked the books,and plans for the club,and they are not as down as many would like , or like to think.