A meeting of NSW Rugby League members on 18 October 2019 will be asked to approve a new constitution in a landmark move that would allow Rugby League in NSW to be governed by one body for the first time in more than 80 years.
The NSWRL and Country Rugby League (CRL) announced details in August 2018 of their joint vision plans to work towards a merger into a single entity by 1 November 2020, but both parties have worked together to make that happen 12 months earlier (1 November 2019).
The proposed merger would allow for significantly more combined resources to deliver Rugby League programs and competitions across the whole state, with existing NSWRL and CRL staff assured their employment is secure.
It will also unlock a significant investment in the game from the National Rugby League (NRL) through many new program initiatives.
NSWRL Chairman Dr George Peponis OAM said changes in governance would be reflected from 1 November 2019 once the revised constitution for NSWRL is adopted at the meeting next month.
“This is the most significant governance development in the game in this state for 80 years,” Dr Peponis said.
"We are really excited about the future of the game in New South Wales and the opportunity a single governing body presents.”
CRL Chairman John Anderson welcomed the change and said: “We are fully supportive of a single entity governing the game in New South Wales and look forward to working together in a more streamlined manner that will benefit everyone in the game from the city to the country.”
NRL CEO Todd Greenberg congratulated the NSWRL and CRL for their collaboration in working towards a merged entity a year earlier than planned.
“The Boards and senior executives at both organisations, along with Jim Doyle from the NRL, deserve to be acknowledged for their efforts in making their joint vision a reality. This outcome serves in the best interests of clubs, participants and volunteers at all levels of the game in New South Wales,’’ he said.
