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Rugby League chief executive David Gallop answers questions at a media conference. AAP Image/Paul Miller.
When the Melbourne Storm scandal broke, I wasn’t losing any sleep. Then again, I am not a Parramatta Eels supporter. However, I was absolutely livid at the NRL’s response. It was swift and complete. I was the first to clench my fists, grit my teeth and give David Gallop a cursing that would make a gypsy blush.
I thought how could they ruin the Storm’s upcoming new stadium debut. Even the anomaly of the 24,000 at Etihad stadium and the spike in new memberships, I contemplated this would still end disastrously. I was a fervent believer in the NRL’s management of rugby league, being the worst in the Australian sporting landscape. I could even turn a blind eye when supporters of rival sports, such as AFL, could bleat about the superiority of their regimes.
Fast-forward and Google ‘NRL State of the Game 2010’. This document outlines the achievements of the NRL and the 2010 rugby league year in Australia. Such areas of education, juniors, television numbers, and Indigenous affairs point to the amazing achievements of our game. Most importantly, it does not mirror that of the criticism many throw at the game, particularly from the media.
The same media that would struggle to highlight a quarter of these achievements. I now know that the NRL work damn hard with its initiatives and getting the word out. The media, however, focus on building up the professional aspect of the game and tear strips at its indiscretions. The media know it has a fervent readership of league supports and an equal number of doomsayers baying for blood.
Rugby league in this country survives on its support. Support that makes up a very large and lucrative consumer base. I am the first to hold up my hand and confess that I wanted the Storm scandal to be swept under the carpet. I wanted the club to herald their new citadel with swathes of converts. I wanted the game to maintain, and grow, its popularity. In essence, I wanted the NRL to do an AFL. But you know what, I have let the media get to me for the last time. I am not going to criticise an organisation that has the mandate to do the right thing. I do not want the NRL to do an AFL. No, I am not talking about following the so-called perception of ‘good management’. I am advocating ‘responsibility’.
If the game didn’t do what it did for Todd Carney he would have not been crowned Dally M Player of the Year or turned his life around. He would be a Brendan Fevola now. The NRL has faced its demons and despite an anti-rugby league streak in our media that makes us question our game’s direction, overall, this report makes proud reading.
How many can read this document and say the NRL is far behind the AFL administration? Let’s now go after the match fixing cheats, if they exist. Let’s continue to go after the drug cheats, unlike the soft chase of a Travis Tuck. While Tuck could have been another Chris Mainwaring, all for the sake of image, let the NRL be loud in the scandals it confronts. As a fan, I will stand by my sport’s problems because I know image for image sake is not the main concern now.
Sorry NRL for the criticism.
KEY HIGHLIGHTS:
• Record attendance of 3,151,019, and second highest average of 16,412 in game’s history
• There were NINE sell-out games in the 2010 Telstra Premiership with crowds up 5.8 per cent in Sydney (all Sydney clubs) and up 7.4 per cent in Western Sydney.
• Channel Nine Live Friday night matches are up 5.2 per cent in Sydney and delayed Friday night matches are up 3 per cent in Sydney.
• 39 of the Top 50 Foxtel programs are NRL matches including four of the top five.
• Total memberships across NRL clubs have increased 28 per cent, with ticketed memberships up 25 per cent.
• Rugby League is on track to reach a record 470,000 plus junior participants. Community initiatives expanded significantly with over 45,000 school children participating in Rugby League reading programs as players exceeded last year’s figure of 22,000 hours of community service while helping raise over $2million for associated charities.
• The NRL generated an additional $3million-plus in sponsorship revenue.
• The NRL and NSW Government entered into a long-term partnership ensuring the Telstra Premiership Grand Final will be staged at ANZ Stadium for the next 10 years, in a deal worth more than $45million.
• Launched the game’s second Reconciliation Action Plan.
• Research has shown increased levels of satisfaction with the game among fans.
• 88 per cent of NRL players have post-secondary school qualifications, which is more than double the number since the introduction of education grants in 2004.
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