Super Freak
International Captain
Forum Staff
- Jan 25, 2014
- 44,116
- 33,253
AFTER years of knocking on the door, rugby league’s clubs have finally stormed the barricades of the NRL’s governing body, giving them a direct say in the game’s biggest issues.
Under new recommendations almost certain to be implemented, the 16 NRL clubs will win two board seats on an expanded 10-member Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC).
A further one board seat each would go to representatives of both the NSW Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League.
The recommendations — made in a review of the ARLC constitution by one of Australia’s top sports administrators, John Coates — mean the Commission will no longer be “independent”.
But while the clubs have won board representation — giving them a direct say in everything from the NRL’s finances, to rule changes, TV deals and stadiums — the independent members of the Commission will cling to the balance of power.
Until now, all eight members of the Commission have been independent.
But Coates told the Daily Telegraph last night he had recommended the expansion of the size of the ARLC from eight to 10 members to ensure a two-seat “buffer” for independents (six independents vs. four non-independents).
Coates said it was important for independents to remain effectively in control of the ARLC. “If you were going to have a nine-member board (as the clubs had requested), it would be five (independents) to four (non-independents).
That would mean a buffer of only one. I’m recommending that the board be increased to 10 – six independents, two from the clubs and one from each of the states.”
Coates said that he recognised the need for clubs and states to have representation on the ARLC board.
“I think there’s no problem with that as long as there are protocols to ensure if there are any conflicts, they need to be addressed,” he said.
“I think it’s important that the independent directors are truly independent, and their independence isn’t capable of being fettered in any way by the four non-independents — and the states and clubs that nominated them. That’s what this is all about.”
Coates’ review was part of an olive branch to clubs by the governing body that came out of a crisis period at the end of last year, which saw ARLC chairman John Grant nearly lose his job.
Grant fell out with all 16 clubs, who threatened to depose him, over his decision in November to backtrack on a club funding offer in which he had offered to fund clubs at 130 per cent of the salary cap.
If the recommendations by Coates are implemented, it means no more current members of the commission will have to depart.
The ARLC board size is already down to six with the announced departure of current directors Graeme Samuel and Jeremy Sutcliffe.
The 12-month reprieve recently given to Grant will also potentially give clubs, states and the independent commissioners breathing room to groom a suitable successor for his chairman’s role.
Nick Pappas is one name that is constantly mentioned as a successor to Grant, with the Souths chairman highly regarded in all quarters of the game despite his current allegiance to one team.
It is believed he would be suitable to the clubs as a future chairman, and could look to prove himself to independent ARLC directors over the next 12 months.
But a move by Coates to prevent state rugby league officials such as NSW Rugby League chairman George Peponis and QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher from being on the Commission unless they give up their state roles could create controversy.
Coates is concerned parochial state interests could interfere in decision-making if state-based bosses were to have dual roles, including a directorship on the Commission.
“My logic there was that there are many decisions that the ARLC takes concerning the states, where the state nominees would be conflicted,” he said.
He has also resisted attempts by clubs to eliminate a clause of the constitution that could compromise independent positions on the Commission.
“They (the clubs) had taken it out, I recommended it must stay in,” he said.
Pressed on what impact that would have on the possibility of figures like former Nine CEO David Gyngell being appointed to the Commission, Coates played a straight bat: “That’s a matter for the nominations committee, and that will be reviewed to take into account any changes to the constitution.”
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au...d/news-story/2741b075a29f4c27f83f27295c2bb8ab
Under new recommendations almost certain to be implemented, the 16 NRL clubs will win two board seats on an expanded 10-member Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC).
A further one board seat each would go to representatives of both the NSW Rugby League and the Queensland Rugby League.
The recommendations — made in a review of the ARLC constitution by one of Australia’s top sports administrators, John Coates — mean the Commission will no longer be “independent”.
But while the clubs have won board representation — giving them a direct say in everything from the NRL’s finances, to rule changes, TV deals and stadiums — the independent members of the Commission will cling to the balance of power.
Until now, all eight members of the Commission have been independent.
But Coates told the Daily Telegraph last night he had recommended the expansion of the size of the ARLC from eight to 10 members to ensure a two-seat “buffer” for independents (six independents vs. four non-independents).
Coates said it was important for independents to remain effectively in control of the ARLC. “If you were going to have a nine-member board (as the clubs had requested), it would be five (independents) to four (non-independents).
That would mean a buffer of only one. I’m recommending that the board be increased to 10 – six independents, two from the clubs and one from each of the states.”
Coates said that he recognised the need for clubs and states to have representation on the ARLC board.
“I think there’s no problem with that as long as there are protocols to ensure if there are any conflicts, they need to be addressed,” he said.
“I think it’s important that the independent directors are truly independent, and their independence isn’t capable of being fettered in any way by the four non-independents — and the states and clubs that nominated them. That’s what this is all about.”
Coates’ review was part of an olive branch to clubs by the governing body that came out of a crisis period at the end of last year, which saw ARLC chairman John Grant nearly lose his job.
Grant fell out with all 16 clubs, who threatened to depose him, over his decision in November to backtrack on a club funding offer in which he had offered to fund clubs at 130 per cent of the salary cap.
If the recommendations by Coates are implemented, it means no more current members of the commission will have to depart.
The ARLC board size is already down to six with the announced departure of current directors Graeme Samuel and Jeremy Sutcliffe.
The 12-month reprieve recently given to Grant will also potentially give clubs, states and the independent commissioners breathing room to groom a suitable successor for his chairman’s role.
Nick Pappas is one name that is constantly mentioned as a successor to Grant, with the Souths chairman highly regarded in all quarters of the game despite his current allegiance to one team.
It is believed he would be suitable to the clubs as a future chairman, and could look to prove himself to independent ARLC directors over the next 12 months.
But a move by Coates to prevent state rugby league officials such as NSW Rugby League chairman George Peponis and QRL chairman Bruce Hatcher from being on the Commission unless they give up their state roles could create controversy.
Coates is concerned parochial state interests could interfere in decision-making if state-based bosses were to have dual roles, including a directorship on the Commission.
“My logic there was that there are many decisions that the ARLC takes concerning the states, where the state nominees would be conflicted,” he said.
He has also resisted attempts by clubs to eliminate a clause of the constitution that could compromise independent positions on the Commission.
“They (the clubs) had taken it out, I recommended it must stay in,” he said.
Pressed on what impact that would have on the possibility of figures like former Nine CEO David Gyngell being appointed to the Commission, Coates played a straight bat: “That’s a matter for the nominations committee, and that will be reviewed to take into account any changes to the constitution.”
http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au...d/news-story/2741b075a29f4c27f83f27295c2bb8ab
