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David Gallop the ever conservative led rugby league well, but he did it in a reactionary matter. Whenever another code did something, Gallop struck back in return.
Now he has finally been relieved of his duties as CEO, it’s time for a change, to implement a person who is strong willed, forward thinking, and intelligent. Who can take rugby league forward through the next couple of years.
Crowds may have grown under Gallop’s tenure but they have begun to stagnate, which should see memberships and developing an attendance culture become a key focus. If this culture were to eventuate somehow it won’t be to a level of the AFL, but at least the crowds will increase from current figures.
Long-term planning is something rugby league tends to lack. It always seems to be of the short-term due to the reactionary nature of league administration, who act when it is finally pushed by another code. An example is when the AFL’s new teams were set to arrive, the NRL administration all of sudden promoted memberships when it hadn’t done so in the past 10, 20, even 30 years.
Expansion is a hot topic as always but if the ARLC was to implement new teams they must stick with them for good – not like in the mid 90’s which saw Western Reds, South Queensland Crushers, Adelaide Rams all brought in and culled in short time.
Also, the expansion teams tend to fight for themselves wherever they’re located. Compare this to the AFL, who gives a helping hand to their teams. An example is when the Brisbane Bears (Lions)/Sydney Swans who got bailed out of bankruptcy by AFL multiple times so they could finally prosper and the AFL prospered. The ARL just let the expansion teams die and didn’t do anything to help them prosper.
The ARLC must provide financial assistance to the expansion teams so they can promote the game outside of Queensland/NSW. Sure the Sydney teams won’t be happy but they have to deal with it. Because it will benefit everyone in the long-run, which is something league administration never thinks of.
Overall, I wish Gallop the best in his future endeavours. He did well to deal with various issues – they can test a person’s sanity. As for the ARLC, the time has come for it to move forward to the future.
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