The National Rugby League and the Rugby League Professionals Association have today signed a heads of agreement for a four year Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The agreement provides for:
- A $4m salary cap in 2007 up from $3.366million;
- Minimum wages of $55,000 (1-17) and $50,000 (18-25) up from $37,500;
- Origin payments increasing to $12,500 per game;
- Increases in Third Party Sponsorship Agreements to $150,000;
- Reduction in qualifying period for veteran players from 10 to 8 years;
It also sees the RLPA and the NRL work towards a compulsory manager accreditation scheme and continues a successful partnership in delivering welfare and education programmes to players.
Importantly, the agreement must be fully documented and the necessary amendments made to the NRL rules before it can be ratified.
This is the result of a very open and positive working relationship that has seen the interests of the players, the clubs and the game itself all taken into account, NRL Chief Executive Mr David Gallop said today.
Theres been some vigorous debate at times but I congratulate Matt Rodwell, Simon Woolford, Luke Priddis, their negotiating team and all the players for the manner in which they have gone about this process.
It is one that ensures players share in the games success.
RLPA Chief Executive Mr Matt Rodwell says the new four year deal sees the RLPA firmly established as a leading and respected voice in the game which ensures the effective representation of players.
Players want to share in the games success but they also care about the grass roots and the clubs, Matt Rodwell said.
Thats what this deal is all about.
We have ensured that minimum wages are in place so that all players are looked after.
This deal also provides us with the option of adopting a similar structure to other leading professional sports where the Players Associations acts as independent body that can be supported by funds allocated by the game to the players.
The RLPA achieved a lot through the first CBA. This negotiating process has seen us further involved in understanding the finances of the game and in securing the best ways for players to be rewarded.
