Before I start, can we all try to leave our ARL/NRL bias outside this thread, and simply think about the future of RUGBY LEAGUE as a whole.
That said, this is three ideas I have for improving RL in Australia and would like some feedback on what RL fans of other clubs think;
Firstly, I would like the NRL to change the structure of the board, by putting the panel's (3 News Ltd, 3 ARL) positions up for tender. Once bipartisan members are identified, the NRL would then to force the hand of NSWRL and QRL to sign to a mandate, effectively making the NRL the governing body of both State leagues, controlling everything at state level, except local or club derived funding. This would see a standardisation of the sport, across the country, as well as an even distribution of funding, to state level, from NRL/ARL products (Rep. games, etc.)
CONS;
Secondly, drop the TYC from the cable television contract, and play a mid-week knock-out competition between top NSWRL and QRL clubs. Crowds wouldn't matter so much, as this competition would be "made for pay TV". Effectively, this creates a real second tier competition, with grass roots clubs competing in a nationally televised comp.
CONS;
PROS;
Thirdly, the NRL would revoke all club licenses (yes, temporarily there would be no club registered in the NRL :shock
. The NRL then puts 14 licenses up for tender, with financial and geographical stipulations. Any consortium would be able to bid for these licenses, simply having to prove they are a financially viable franchise and happy to be located in the stipulated geographical area.
CONS;
Of course, the reality is that these 14 franchises would more than likely be many of the same clubs we have now, however the clubs who are struggling would be opened up to new blood (new money) in order to put in a successful bid. Unfortunately, some clubs would fall back to their state leagues or be forced to merge.
So, thoughts on this idea (or 3 ideas; 1. one governing body, 2. mid-week combined states competition, 3. licenses for NRL franchises) and how you think they could be improved/modified in order to best serve the game?
That said, this is three ideas I have for improving RL in Australia and would like some feedback on what RL fans of other clubs think;
Firstly, I would like the NRL to change the structure of the board, by putting the panel's (3 News Ltd, 3 ARL) positions up for tender. Once bipartisan members are identified, the NRL would then to force the hand of NSWRL and QRL to sign to a mandate, effectively making the NRL the governing body of both State leagues, controlling everything at state level, except local or club derived funding. This would see a standardisation of the sport, across the country, as well as an even distribution of funding, to state level, from NRL/ARL products (Rep. games, etc.)
CONS;
- Loss of control by state officials,
- Potential to lose revenue for struggling clubs who rely on state league handouts,
- One national governing body for the first time ever,
- Standardisation of the sport off the field,
- Even distribution of funding for grass roots clubs from both states.
Secondly, drop the TYC from the cable television contract, and play a mid-week knock-out competition between top NSWRL and QRL clubs. Crowds wouldn't matter so much, as this competition would be "made for pay TV". Effectively, this creates a real second tier competition, with grass roots clubs competing in a nationally televised comp.
CONS;
- Potential to create a "white elephant" competition,
- Potential to kill QRL/NSWRL completely (baring in mind, to negate this, the mid-week comp would be a relegation-based comp, with only the top 5 (or so) teams each season earning selection to be in this comp.)
PROS;
- A genuine national second tier competition,
- Potential for more TV revenue,
- Potential to gain more "grass roots" fans (think Redcliffe vs. Wentworthville GF
).
Thirdly, the NRL would revoke all club licenses (yes, temporarily there would be no club registered in the NRL :shock
. The NRL then puts 14 licenses up for tender, with financial and geographical stipulations. Any consortium would be able to bid for these licenses, simply having to prove they are a financially viable franchise and happy to be located in the stipulated geographical area.CONS;
- Older clubs (I don't recognise the term "foundation club", however I will keep that argument for another thread;-)) may struggle to get a successful bid, and as such RL will lose some fans,
- Potential to lose fans, who view the new structure as "business not footy".
- Consortium's will be thoroughly audited before being allowed into the competition, and as such should be viable long term,
- The game can go national, with the geographical stipulations endeavoring to keep Melbourne, NZ, NQ, Perth locations,
- Knowledge of financial security for new franchises and the competition as a whole.
Of course, the reality is that these 14 franchises would more than likely be many of the same clubs we have now, however the clubs who are struggling would be opened up to new blood (new money) in order to put in a successful bid. Unfortunately, some clubs would fall back to their state leagues or be forced to merge.
So, thoughts on this idea (or 3 ideas; 1. one governing body, 2. mid-week combined states competition, 3. licenses for NRL franchises) and how you think they could be improved/modified in order to best serve the game?
