Ari Gold
Bench
- Messages
- 2,939
Exhibit A 
State of the Game 2007
http://www.arldevelopment.com.au/index.php?id=40&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1566&tx_ttnews[backPid]=2&cHash=389c196151
State of the Game 2007
http://www.arldevelopment.com.au/index.php?id=40&tx_ttnews[tt_news]=1566&tx_ttnews[backPid]=2&cHash=389c196151
As the 2007 season moves into the Finals, NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, today paid tribute to all players and teams who had made the premiership rounds among the most successful on record.
Crowds topped three million for the first time in the NRL and only the second time in the games history.
The crowd average of 15,751 eclipsed 2006 and was again the second highest on record.
The four weeks of the Finals will produce a whole new chapter but its certainly worth taking a moment to congratulate the clubs, players and fans who have made the year such a success to this point, Mr Gallop said today.
The race for the Finals again went to the last round, reminding everyone just how close the competition has been week in and week out over the past 25 rounds.
ATTENDANCES
- 3,024,193 fans attended the 25 rounds of the NRL Telstra Premiership (up 220,351 or 7.9% on Season 2006). This is the first time in NRL history and only the second time in the games history that more than three million people attended Telstra Premiership matches. (Note: the only previous occasion involved a 20-team competition in 1995).
- Round 1 had the largest total (185,051) and average (23,131) attendance of any opening round in the games history (including double headers).
- The average attendance for each game was 15,751. This average represented a 2.2% increase on 2006 (15,411) and is the second highest crowd average in the games history.
- Seven clubs (Broncos, Rabbitohs, Storm, Cowboys, Warriors, Panthers and Raiders) had increased crowds in 2007. The Warriors had the biggest growth with a 49.8% increase in their average home crowd.
- 34,315 (Rd 4 Rabbitohs v Bulldogs, Telstra Stadium) was the largest Telstra Premiership crowd in Sydney in 2007 and a Rabbitohs home crowd record at Telstra Stadium.
- 50,416 (Rd 1 Broncos v Cowboys, Suncorp Stadium) is a new NRL record for a stand-alone premiership match, a Broncos home crowd record and the largest Telstra Premiership crowd in Brisbane in 2007.
- The Gold Coast has embraced the Titans with an average home crowd of 21,489 in 2007 (second highest home crowd average behind the Broncos). The best home crowd average of past Gold Coast teams was 9,468 in 1992.
- 20,232 (Rd 24 Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs) is the second largest all-time crowd at Leichhardt Oval behind 22,877 (2005 Rd 20 v Rabbitohs).
- The Warriors had their first regular season sell-out (25,070 Rd 24 v Manly) since Round 6 in 1995 (32,174 v Illawarra), the year they joined the competition.
- Two matches were sold out before game day in the same round for the first time in NRL history (Rd 24 Wests Tigers v Rabbitohs, Warriors v Sea Eagles).
- A new representative crowd record was set at Suncorp Stadium (State of Origin I, Qld v NSW 52,498). This was also the Maroons largest ever home crowd.
TV
Channel 9
State of Origin
- Rugby League was again the most watched program to date in Sydney and was three of the top five most watched events.
- In Brisbane, Rugby League had the top six most watched programs and eight of the top 10 most watched events so far this year.
- Friday night has become Rugby League night on free to air television. The live match consistently won its timeslot in Sydney and Brisbane with a 32.6% share in both markets, attracting an average audience of 396,000 in Sydney and 254,000 in Brisbane.
- The delayed Friday night match also dominated its timeslot, giving Channel 9 a 34.7% market share in Sydney and 28.8% in Brisbane.
- Sunday football has again proven popular, winning its timeslot in Sydney with a massive 46.7% share and Brisbane with 39.7%.
- Rugby Leagues popularity in Melbourne continues to grow with ratings for live Origin I coverage up 59% on last year (2007: 366,000; 2006: 230,000) and ratings for Origin II delayed coverage up more than 100% on last year (2007: 257,000, 2006: 100,000).
- In Brisbane, Origin I ratings were up 19% (2007: 734,000; 2006: 616,000) making it the biggest evening audience share recorded by any Brisbane station for any program in 2007 to that point. Origin II captured 69.3 per cent of the market.
- Sydney also recorded the highest evening share of any station this year with an average audience of 855,000 for Origin I. The Origin III match telecast won the night in Sydney with a 42.4% share.
Fox Sports
- In 2007, the total reach for NRL on Fox Sports is 3,655,000, which is up 4% on the 2006 total reach.
- Fox Sports live matches (across Saturday, Sunday and Monday) have an average audience of 245,000 in 2007, which is up 10% from 2006.
- There have been 13 games with an average audience in excess of 300,000 this year. Last year there were six.
- For the first time, Fox Sports had back-to-back 300,000+ games when the Storm v Sea Eagles (317,000) game was followed by the Titans v Rabbitohs (300,000) on Saturday, May 26.
- The 300,000+ average games have been spread around with:
- Four on Mondays;
- Five in the Saturday 7.30pm slot, and
- Four in the Saturday 5.30pm slot.
NOTE: None of these figures include out of home viewing in pubs, clubs, hotels and other venues. Last years estimates were that the out of home viewing added approximately an extra 30 per cent on top of the figures.
- The 300,000+ average games have been spread around cities with Sydney teams, Melbourne, Gold Coast, Brisbane and Cowboys (Townsville) all involved in 300,000+ games.
- The Rabbitohs and the Storm each featured in four 300,000+ average games with the Rabbitohs also featuring in the top two highest rating matches.
RADIO
2GB
- Rugby League coverage on 2GB continues to be number one in Sydney with more than 250,000 different listeners tuning in every weekend.
- The addition of Friday night football to 2GBs coverage has been a huge success with the Continuous Call team rating number one in Sydney with 13.8% of the total audience.
- The 2GB NRL network has added stations throughout Central Australia, from the far north of the Northern Territory through southern regional Australia, taking the network to over 55 stations across the country.
ABC
- Approximately 300,000 listeners hear the ABC Local Radio coverage throughout NSW, Queensland and the ACT as well as Radio Australia through the Pacific and parts of Asia and Europe. Listeners in Brisbane, Newcastle, Wollongong, Canberra, Gold Coast and North Queensland hear coverage of every match their local teams play.
- For the first time, between six and eight matches from the ABC Radio coverage were streamed live every weekend on nrl.com and were available to Australian and international fans.
TRIPLE M
- In 2007, Triple M broadcast Monday Night Football into Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Albury, Port Macquarie, CoffsHarbour, Gold Coast, North Queensland, Central Queensland and associated areas.
- Next season, Triple M Brisbane will broadcast all Monday night matches while Melbourne will continue to take any calls involving the Storm.
PARTICIPATION
- Total participation in clubs and schools has increased almost 9% on last years national figure, taking the total to over 400,000 participants for the first time.
- Junior club registrations are up almost 4% nationally (a new Australian record), taking the total rise over the past four years to 27%.
- QRL junior club competitions had 77 new teams in 2007. More than 500 new teams have joined since 2003.
- The Gold Coast area has had an increase of more than 10% in their club participation.
- The CRL initiated an outback Rugby League competition in Broken Hill with the establishment of six new clubs.
- In the NSWRL, participation is up more than 10% at Manly, Souths and Canberra.
- Registrations rose more than 5% in Victoria in junior and senior club competitions.
- Participation rose more than 14% in West Australian junior and senior club competitions.
NRL.COM
- More than one million unique users logged on to nrl.com during August 2007, the largest number of unique visitors in the history of the site and a 20% increase on the biggest month from 2006.
- There were more than 52 million page impressions during August, with users staying on site for an average seven minutes per visit.
- The Broncos and Bulldogs have been the two most popular clubs on the NRL website in 2007.
- A record 517,921 unique visitors used the Live Score system in July 2007.
- Over 116,000 unique visitors used the Ladder Predictor in August 2007, a 300% increase on the second highest month this year.
- In March, Telstra BigPond began managing the nrl.com website as part of the Telstra sponsorship and new media agreement.
SPONSORSHIP
- Re-signed Telstra to long-term naming rights of the premiership and a new media rights deal.
- Pioneered Australian sports first segmented sponsorship program comprising Carlton Friday Night Football, Bundaberg Rum Monday Night Football and Rugby Leagues One Community-sponsored Sunday match.
- Toyota is now the official car of Rugby League and the naming rights sponsor of the Toyota Cup National Youth Competition for 2008.
- There has been significant commitment from the NRL sponsor family for next years Centenary season.
LICENSING
- Total Rugby League merchandise sales, including NRL, Kangaroos and State of Origin, have increased 20% on the same period in 2006.
- The total club royalty payments have increased over 50% from 2004 to date. All NRL clubs are receiving considerable increases in licensing royalty payments.
- The Broncos rank number one in overall merchandise sales, followed by the Titans and Dragons.
- The Titans have sold the most on-field merchandise (jerseys and training gear) of any club so far this season.
- Souths have enjoyed the biggest rise against the same period last year recording a 74% jump to be in sixth position for on-field royalties and eighth overall.
- Steeden has renewed a five-year deal to be the NRLs official match ball.
- The Centenary celebrations have already attracted large support with the appointment of a core group of 25 licensees, including Canterbury (apparel), Australia Post, Royal Australian Mint and Pan Macmillan Australia.
- Successful roll-out of the 2007 Smiths Tazo campaign with the NRL Tazos release doubling from 10 million in 2006 to 20 million this year. The 2008 release will include a Legends component to complement the Centenary celebrations.
SALARY CAP
- In 2007, the club salary cap increased to $4 million per club, up from $3.66 million in 2006. In addition to the cap, the marquee player club sponsors allowance increased from $100,000 to $150,000 and the second tier salary cap increased from $300,000 to $350,000. This took the total payments regulated by the cap (noting that there are a number of excluded benefits that are not regulated) to $4.5m.
- A further salary cap rise of $100,000 has been approved for 2008, taking the total club salary cap to $4.1 million.
- The qualifying period for veteran players was reduced from 10 to eight years.
- The salary cap for the Toyota Cup National Youth Competition has been set at $250,000 with further allowances available up to $430,000 for accommodation, apprenticeships, traineeships and tertiary education allowances.
- Minimum wages in 2007-09 of $55,000 (1-17) and $50,000 (18-25) up from $37,500 in 2006.
- Origin payments rose to $12,500 per game consisting of $7,500 per match plus an additional payment of $5,000 per game into the Representative Player Retirement Account. In 2006 players received $3,000 per match, an additional payment of $3,000 per game to the Representative Player Retirement Account and a $2,500 winning bonus (split in the same manner as match payments).
JUDICIARY (current to Rd 24)
- Number of charges 87 after 184 matches Rd 24 (2006 - 87 charges in 166 matches- Rd 24).
- Percentage of early pleas 83%.
- Numbers of total weeks in suspension 74 weeks (128 weeks at the same time in 2006).
- Two players have served a suspension longer than 4 weeks (7 players up to Rd 24 in 2006 served a suspension longer than 4 weeks).
- Players found guilty at Panel 6.
- Players found not guilty at Panel 6.
- Successful grading challenges 3.
WELFARE & EDUCATION
- The NRL-RLPA Education and Welfare Program continues to grow with 142 players having completed post-secondary qualifications, 143 players currently studying, 52 engaged in a work placement or mentoring program and a further 18 having some form of employment outside of study.
- The completion of the third Rookie Camp means almost a third of NRL players have completed the most comprehensive induction program in Australian professional sport.
- For the new Toyota Cup National Youth Competition in 2008, all players will complete the induction program plus a training program that accommodates work or study.
- Clubs have agreed to mandated training hours three days a week with players having a compulsory involvement in traineeships or apprenticeships, TAFE or University study, or some form of employment.
- A new tailored counselling service for retiring players and their partners has been established after 12 months of research. The service is available for the first two years of retirement, with players also being able to apply for financial assistance to complete their studies. Jason Stevens, who replaces Michael Buettner as NRL Education and Welfare Officer, has joined Robbie Kearns and Bradley Clyde as ambassadors for this important initiative.
ONE COMMUNITY
- In just six months, Rugby Leagues One Community has grown into the largest and most comprehensive community relations program in Australian sport.
- In a first for Australian sport, four charities (National Breast Cancer Foundation, Lifeline Australia, Youngcare and Childrens Hospital Foundation Australia) were given national coverage as the Channel 9 Sunday community match. It included a six-week marketing campaign for each charity.
Since partnering with the NRL, Lifelines traffic to our national website has increased by 50% and our website donations have doubled.
Dawn ONeil, CEO Lifeline Australia
"The partnership between the NRL and the National Breast Cancer Foundation has been extremely successful in raising the profile of breast cancer research and the vital funds required to bring us closer to prevention and cure.
Sue Murray, CEO National Breast Cancer Foundation
- One Community Carnival featured 145 NRL players, coaches and referees visiting more than 50 towns and cities around Australia, raising money for junior Rugby League and spreading the One Community message;
- At the One Community Carnival, NRL players visited 253 schools (50,000 kids), conducted 38 junior league clinics, coached 6,500 junior players and raised $35,000 for grassroots Rugby League;
- Developed a Harmony Day program with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and produced 90,000 Rugby League workbooks showcasing the diversity and multiculturalism of the game, as well as hosted a Harmony Day Clinic for 200 primary school students;
- Up to $800,000 for grassroots Rugby League is being generated through the Monster Raffle, which was open to all registered junior and senior Rugby League clubs in Australia. A generous prize pool from Harvey Norman plus money cant buy experiences were provided for the raffle. All proceeds from ticket sales are returned to the clubs that sold them.
- Put NRL players and clubs on the same stage with grassroots volunteers and will recognise them for their dedication to the game and the community during the upcoming Community Awards night on September 21;
- Held Women in League lunches in Brisbane and Sydney (thanks to the support of Harvey Norman) for 400 of the games female volunteers and administrators. Four more are planned for 2008;
- Hosted over 300 disadvantaged children at the players charity Christmas party held in Sydney and Brisbane.
- Launched a new primary school curriculum resource using Rugby League to engage school children
- Launched a literacy program called Rugby League Reads with the support of NRL clubs and players, in conjunction with the Premiers Reading Challenge in Queensland. 60,000 bookmarks and 20,000 reading charts were produced for distribution in schools.
- Partnered with Books in Homes, a not-for-profit organisation that delivers new books to disadvantaged schools and children;
- Helped 80 kids at risk in Armidale and Dubbo stay out of trouble and learn about leadership and decision making through the PCYC Footy Fever program.
THE FUTURE
- Planning with ARL for Centenary of the game in 2008.
- 2008 World Cup.
- Toyota Cup National Youth Competition.
