John Grant puts David Gallop and his men on notice
Andrew Webster The Daily Telegraph February 11, 2012 12:00AM
David Gallop. John Grant, Chairman of the newly formed Australian Rugby League Commission, John Chalk former Chairman of ARL and Graham Annesley. Picture: Craig Greenhill Source: The Daily Telegraph
ARL Commission chairman John Grant has revealed chief executive David Gallop and his management team will come under immediate scrutiny - just hours after taking control of the game.
Rugby league's long march towards independence finally ended yesterday morning with the formation of a new governing body and the opening of its new headquarters at Moore Park. Later that day, though, the harsh reality of life under Grant and the other seven commissioners came to light.
"We will review the structure and the people in those structures," Grant said. "We want to make sure the people in the business, from David and his management team down, are the right people. That's our responsibility. This commission is going to have high expectations, and that's what is needed in order for people to give their best."
As a condition of their exit from the game, former half-owner News Ltd had insisted Gallop be handed a four-year deal of the commission. He will receive a one-year payout of $750,000 if he was to be sacked early into his tenure.
No longer serving the masters of News - publisher of this website - and the ARL, Gallop and his management team have the opportunity to operate without constraint for the first time since the Super League war.
"All the things that he was constrained with before is no longer there," Grant said. "David now has the opportunity to lead this game to soar. What better job could you get?"
The significance of the day was underlined when an emotional Gallop addressed the room at the official launch.
"The commissioners will find that the swim will be very pleasant indeed," he said, his speech wavering with emotion. "There are some sharks in the water but they generally have sharp tongues instead of sharp teeth. As you swim across the 2012 season, and get across to the other side on grand final day, our magnificent players will run out to the tune of Puff Daddy's version of Kashmir and I hope you have tear in your eye with the pride you feel for the game and the new role in it."
Later, he tried to play down that he had been emotional, saying: "I just think it was a big moment. It's just a big day. I was trying to make the point it was a big day ... Everyone on my management team including me feels invigorated by the change and the opportunities that is going to create. Anyone who manages a joint venture will tell you that it has its challenges. The dissolution of that joint venture gives the game a chance to set strategic directions centrally, the people on the board wear one hat, which is the hat of the game."
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