New HQ fits in with fresh start for code
BRAD WALTER
June 1, 2010
A $17.4 MILLION headquarters at Moore Park is set to become the first tangible sign of rugby league's new order under an independent commission, with an announcement of the project imminent.
The new building will house all of the code's various bodies - including the NSW Rugby League, Country Rugby League and the new Australian Rugby League Commission, which is expected to take over the running of the game from News Ltd and the ARL at the end of the season.
Plans to bring all of the governing bodies under one roof have been on the drawing board for some time but the Herald understands that a deal is close to being finalised.
The new headquarters, provisionally called Rugby League Central, will be built on land occupied by the SCG Trust at Moore Park, where the offices of the Sydney Roosters, Cricket NSW, Sydney Swans, NSW Waratahs and Sydney FC are established.
Officials believe the site is strategic in that it is close to the CBD, Sydney Airport and the Sydney Football Stadium.
The federal and NSW governments last year announced a combined $11.4 million funding boost on the eve of the grand final and officials have been working since on securing the remaining money required for the project.
The federal government's contribution was $10.4 million, with the NSW government providing an additional $1 million.
The building will also house a game-wide multipurpose learning facility for the code's various educational and community programs, including Eat Well, Play Well, Stay Well, the Premiers' Reading Challenge, indigenous programs, domestic violence campaigns and Women in League programs.
NRL public affairs manager John Brady last night confirmed that a deal was close to being finalised.
''We've been in discussions about this for some time and certainly things seem to be getting close,'' Brady said.
The main tenant will be the new independent commission, which is set to take control of the game by November 1.
All 16 NRL clubs voted for an independent commission and initially demanded the new body be in place by the start of the season. That didn't happen and talks between News Ltd and the ARL have reportedly slowed in recent weeks.
However, officials close to the negotiations are confident that the new body will be in place by the end of the season.
Under an independent commission, it is hoped that the salary cap and grants to clubs from television revenue can be increased to up to $6 million in coming years.
Aside from the immediate savings to be made from reducing the duplication that exists between the numerous governing bodies, an extra $8 million that News Ltd takes from the game each year will be available to distribute among the clubs.
In addition, the NRL is set to accept a $45 million bid from the NSW government to keep the grand final in Sydney for a further 10 years.
