Bump, just for a change of scenery to all the shite that has been going on.
Remember when both The Sharks and South's said that the model for the Women's Comp the NRL were proposing wouldn't work????
Well surprise, surprise the "inaugural " WNRL clubs have just woken up.....
Clubs reveal cost of running team in NRLW competition
MARCH 26, 2019The NRL women’s competition is costing participating clubs a whopping combined total of $1.5 million a season — and they want urgent financial help.
The Sydney Roosters, St George Illawarra, New Zealand Warriors and Brisbane Broncos have held private phone hook-ups to discuss the financial drain of the four-week competition, which runs through September.
A source said they even spoke about withdrawing from the competition but felt it would be “embarrassing” for the game. The four clubs remain committed — for now.
Each club is outlaying between $300,000 to $400,000 a year to field a team — without any financial assistance. Brisbane are the only side that can comfortably absorb that cost.
Player and coach payments, as well as a $50,000 entry fee, are among the costs.
Elianna Walton charges into the Dragons defence last year. Picture: Getty Images
The NRL pays costs — including staff, administration, travel and accommodation — but doesn’t provide any additional funds for women’s teams above the $13 million grant it gives all clubs.
That could change once the next broadcast deal is secured.
Currently, the NRL gives all clubs a $13m annual grant with no additional funds. The AFL is understood to pay each club fielding a women’s side $250,000 a season.
The NRL said each club was aware of the costs involved — including the entry fee — when asking to be included in the competition two years ago.
The women’s rugby league competition was deemed a success last year because of solid crowds and ratings. But the financial drain on clubs has caused some angst.
“All administrative costs of running the women’s premiership are picked up by the NRL, while participating clubs are responsible for their own team-related costs, as is the case with the NRL men’s competition,” Tiffany Slater, NRL general manager of women’s elite program, said.
Stephanie Hancock and Heather Ballinger got their hands on the inaugural NRLW Trophy after the Broncos defeated the Roosters in the grand final. Picture; Getty Images
“Clubs entered into the competition voluntarily under the terms and conditions offered last year, and we had several disappointed clubs who missed out on an initial licence despite their keenness to be included as a foundation club.”
The NRL, which will meet later this year to review the competition, with expansion a possibility, states each club could reduce expenditure if needed and that costs are “within the clubs’ control.”
Some clubs, according to the NRL, did not apply for entry into the competition due to the anticipated costs. Others applied and missed out on a licence.
Minimal sponsorship for the competition — which has only run for one year — does help alleviate some of costs. There have been suggestions that players want a small increase in payments — a request that will be rejected.
The Broncos, Warriors, Roosters and Dragons had hoped the NRL would offer grants to cover some of the costs. One official close to the clubs: “Surely the NRL can find $1m and give each club a couple of hundred thousand.”
Tazmin Gray struggles to break free of the Dragons’ defence. Picture: AAP
It is understood some major sponsors of the NRL have insisted on having a women’s competition. The clubs feel they are now “subsiding” NRL sponsorship.
NRL officials remain committed to the women’s competition. Clubs were reluctant to comment because the issue was deemed too politically sensitive.
The 12 clubs which do not field sides may object to the NRL outlaying additional money for clubs with a women’s side. There is a fear that expanding the competition may expose a lack of depth among women’s rugby league.
“The NRL women’s competition is a critical component in the ongoing development of rugby league,” Slater said. “The NRL has a commitment to not only increasing female participation, but also broadening the appeal of our game to more women.
“Expansion of the competition for 2020 and beyond will be considered later this year based on a detailed assessment of the development of playing talent, enhancement of the quality of the competition, and long-term financial sustainability.”
The NRL employ staff to run the women’s competition. A women’s State of Origin game will be played as a stand-alone event on June 21 at North Sydney Oval.
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