http://smh.com.au/news/League/Players-get-the-feel-of-RLPA-reins/2004/12/18/1103312786256.html
Four footballers have been appointed to the board of the Rugby League Professionals Association in a move that will give players a greater say in the way the game is run.
The development comes at a crucial stage in the NRL's evolution with continuing concerns over player burnout due to the number of games and the draft well and truly back on the agenda.
Panthers hooker Luke Priddis, Canberra rake Simon Woolford, Knights prop Clint Newton and Manly front-rower Jason King, who is studying law, have all been appointed to serve alongside RLPA president and former Newcastle premiership player Tony Butterfield.
It is anticipated that in the coming years a current player will take the reins of the association.
"It's about empowering the players," Butterfield said.
"It's important for the players to be represented by their peers and it gives the association more credibility and respect. The players need to be involved in this way for us to continue to evolve.
"If the players see their peers up there in public working for us and speaking for us they will know we are serious and so will the NRL.
"It gives the players greater input and I'm looking forward to working with them.
"I'm enjoying what I'm doing but in the long term my preference is for a current player to be president of the players' association."
Woolford spoke at the recent inaugural RLPA awards night of the need for every player to be a member.
Priddis said having players on its board was about enhancing the public view of the RLPA.
"I wanted to be involved mainly because we don't want it to be like the dark old days when the players didn't have a say," Priddis said.
"It's about gaining more respect and having a say in the way the competition is run. The players are the game's biggest commodity and we deserve to have a say in the way things are heading.
"It's only fair that we do because we are the people most affected by the decisions that are made."
Priddis said he would consider applying for the presidency when Butterfield decided it was time to step aside.
"[Butterfield] is doing a great job and as long as he wants the job he should have it," he said.
"But in the long term we want to have a player there doing it and it's a job I would think about if I was still playing."
Two points:
1. I wonder how they selectedthe four players chosen. Did anyone else apply?
2. I'm not sure a player could give the position the time and energy required.
Four footballers have been appointed to the board of the Rugby League Professionals Association in a move that will give players a greater say in the way the game is run.
The development comes at a crucial stage in the NRL's evolution with continuing concerns over player burnout due to the number of games and the draft well and truly back on the agenda.
Panthers hooker Luke Priddis, Canberra rake Simon Woolford, Knights prop Clint Newton and Manly front-rower Jason King, who is studying law, have all been appointed to serve alongside RLPA president and former Newcastle premiership player Tony Butterfield.
It is anticipated that in the coming years a current player will take the reins of the association.
"It's about empowering the players," Butterfield said.
"It's important for the players to be represented by their peers and it gives the association more credibility and respect. The players need to be involved in this way for us to continue to evolve.
"If the players see their peers up there in public working for us and speaking for us they will know we are serious and so will the NRL.
"It gives the players greater input and I'm looking forward to working with them.
"I'm enjoying what I'm doing but in the long term my preference is for a current player to be president of the players' association."
Woolford spoke at the recent inaugural RLPA awards night of the need for every player to be a member.
Priddis said having players on its board was about enhancing the public view of the RLPA.
"I wanted to be involved mainly because we don't want it to be like the dark old days when the players didn't have a say," Priddis said.
"It's about gaining more respect and having a say in the way the competition is run. The players are the game's biggest commodity and we deserve to have a say in the way things are heading.
"It's only fair that we do because we are the people most affected by the decisions that are made."
Priddis said he would consider applying for the presidency when Butterfield decided it was time to step aside.
"[Butterfield] is doing a great job and as long as he wants the job he should have it," he said.
"But in the long term we want to have a player there doing it and it's a job I would think about if I was still playing."
Two points:
1. I wonder how they selectedthe four players chosen. Did anyone else apply?
2. I'm not sure a player could give the position the time and energy required.
