Rugby League Independent Commission

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Catherine Harris to be appointed to rugby league's independent commission

THE NRL has secured one of Australia's most respected businesswomen to sit on the independent commission.

Fruit and vegetables queen Catherine Harris, of Harris Farm Markets fame, will be the first woman appointed to the game's new ruling body.

She is understood to be a close friend and associate of Harvey Norman boss Katie Page, who currently sits on the NRL board but has been ruled out of sitting on the commission because of a conflict of interests.

Ms Harris is chairwoman of the family-run company and has built up an impressive portfolio of business achievements, including a senior role on the Australian institute of company directors.

She is a UNSW councillor, a Sydney Cricket and Sports Board trustee, a director of the Museum of Contemporary Art and the National Gallery of Australia Foundation Board, and an Order of Australia recipient.

Ms Harris' position on the SCG Trust has established her sports credentials.

She will join former Tigers legend Wayne Pearce, Queenslander John Grant, businessman Gary Pemberton and Peter Gregg, the CEO of Leighton Holdings on the commission.

Meanwhile, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission is challenging a move by the NRL clubs to demand a guarantee from News Limited it will not set up a rival Super League-type competition in the future.

An ACCC director has written to David Gallop to express the commission's concerns about a non-compete clause.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/

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Commission talks focus on team

FURTHER negotiations will be held today to determine the inaugural eight members of the independent commission, with former Ansett executive and North Queensland director Mark Williamson emerging as a possible commissioner.

The Herald revealed last Saturday that Sydney Olympics boss Garry Pemberton, former Qantas chief financial officer Peter Gregg, IT guru John Grant and league great Wayne Pearce had been unanimously agreed for roles as commissioner - although it emerged last night that News Ltd was yet to endorse Pemberton.

However, that might occur today when News Ltd chief operating officer Peter Macourt, ARL chairman John Chalk, QRL director Terry Mackenroth and South Sydney chairman Nicholas Pappas continue discussions over the commission.

Advertisement: Story continues below Williamson is believed to have the support of the QRL and possibly News Ltd, who were part-owners of Ansett when he was the now defunct airline's Queensland manager. He also managed a sponsorship deal between Ansett and Brisbane in the late 1990s, and joined the Cowboys board in 2002. He is now SingTel Optus general manager in Queensland and the Northern Territory.

The QRL yesterday agreed to the new constitution for the commission, and signed the members agreement for the new body after being given conditional control of the game in Queensland, including the second-tier state competition. Aside from the appointment of the commissioners, which must be ratified by News Ltd and the ARL, the only stumbling block now remains the media company's refusal to guarantee it will never again attempt to start a Super League-type breakaway competition.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/l

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I'm so disappointed that the Independent Commission hasn't been formulised.

I know it will come, but our game needs it.

I just hope not many concessions have been given to those trying to hold on to their vested interests. But once the ARLC is up and running I am sure it will jusr get healthier and healthier and stronger and stronger.

It will honestly be one of the happiest days of my life. And definitely #1 when you exclude the generic personal milestones.

It will mean so much for the loyal and long suffering Rugby League supporters.

We are also sailing into territory where the lack of progress will affect the planning of NRL clubs with spending and players. And of course that all important broadcast rights negotiation.

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RL independent commission a formality as invites sent

THE rugby league independent commission is another step closer, with formal invitations to be sent to the eight nominated commissioners.

The selection of the game's inaugural commissioners was recently completed when Queensland nomination Mark Williamson stepped aside to allow Aboriginal educator Chris Sarra to join.

The switch was approved yesterday and the commission's sub-committee agreed to send out the invitations.

"We are hopeful of having the commission formed and established as soon as possible," News Limited spokesman Greg Baxter said.

The eight nominees, who will formally be invited to join the independent rugby league commission this week, are former Qantas and Billabong chairman Gary Pemberton, IT guru John Grant, Leighton Holdings chief financial officer Peter Gregg, Harris Farm Markets founder Catherine Harris, ad man Ian Elliott, CSR director Jeremy Sutcliffe, league great Wayne Pearce and Sarra.

Grant and Pemberton are understood to be the two men being considered to head the commission.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/nrl

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Im very disappointed that John Quayle was blackballed by News Ltd.

But there is always a future chance with an independent Rugby League.

I'm very happy with the make up of the commission. Particularly the late inclusion of Chris Sarra who offers a Queensland insight as well as a much needed indigenous representation.

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Rugby league's new independent commission to meet for first time

RUGBY league's new independent commission will meet for the very first time next Tuesday morning.The Daily Telegraph has been told the eight commiss-ioners will spend an entire day at NRL headquarters familiarising themselves with the game's biggest issues.

"As I understand, there are still about 15 to 20 issues still to be resolved in regards to the formation of the commission," NRL chief executive David Gallop said.

"But now the commissioners have been selected, there's an opportunity to give them a snapshot of the game as they prepare to take over the reigns down the track."

Some of the commissioners have spoken by telephone but not yet met facetoface.

The main issues confronting the new commission will be expansion, the $1 billion broadcasting rights and game's salary cap.

Former international and Brisbane IT executive John Grant will chair the commission, which includes Chris Sarra, a director with the Queensland Government's Institute for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Leadership, former Qantas and Billabong chairman Gary Pemberton, Leighton Holdings chief financial officer Peter Gregg, former Australian Test forward Wayne Pearce, Harris Farm markets founder Catherine Harris, advertising executive Ian Elliott and CSR director Jeremy Sutcliffe.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au

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It'll be great for our game to get a head start with our Commissioners meeting up early and forming relationships and learning about the current state of Rugby League.

I'm very excited!

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First independet commission heralds the dawn of new and exciting rugby league era


Off to work: Commissioners Dr Chris Sarra, John Grant (chairman) and Gary Pemberton arrive. Picture: Gregg Porteous Source: The Daily Telegraph

HERE they are, finally. The people who will shape and drive the future of rugby league.

After a long, tedious, involved and frustrating wait, the independent commission met for the first time yesterday at NRL headquarters.

It was an historic moment, right up there alongside Dally Messenger's defection from rugby union to rugby league in 1908, St George's eleventh successive premiership in 1966 and the Super League war which split the game between 1995 and 1997.

The commissioners attending yesterday were chairman John Grant, Chris Sarra, Gary Pemberton, Wayne Pearce, Catherine Harris, Ian Elliott and Jeremy Sutcliffe.

Leighton Holdings chief financial officer Peter Gregg was unable to attend.

Yesterday's meeting was aimed to give the commissioners an update on the game's pressing issues, including the impending $1 billion broadcasting rights. The unofficial handover from News Limited and the ARL to the commission is scheduled for November 1.

Asked what he wanted from the commission, Manly coach Des Hasler said: "Direction. I hope they give us some direction."

Canterbury chief executive Todd Greenberg believes the television deal must be atop the commissions agenda.

"First and foremost, they must get an overview on a number of issues in the game," Greenberg said. "But the TV deal would be No.1 issue for me. Everything stems from the broadcasting deal."

Grant was yesterday primed to make an impact.

"Speaking to the other commissioners, they are of the same frame of mind, that it is a very exciting time for rugby league," Grant said. "We've got a great game, we're very lucky to be in this position.

"We had a very significant and important meeting yesterday with all of the stakeholders and the agreement was we need to be targeting the first of November. It's a logical handover date, everything is now focused on doing that."

NRL chief executive David Gallop told the media the commission had some massive tasks to confront.

"We're going to collapse three boards that are currently in place and replace them with one, that's a big step and
you'll see an impact from that almost immediately," Gallop said.

"It's a unique and exciting change for the game, its been in the pipeline for a long time. The good news is that the game is in a position of strength to make that change."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au

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The image of these Commissioners inspire me with hope and confidence.

For too long we have had to search for inspiration and leadership in other areas.

I like Gallop but let's face it, he had to bow to the ARL and News and had to always be conservative in what he said.

I am aparticularly chuffed with Grant and Sarra, who I believe is a tremendous late candidate.

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The Rugby League Independent Commission will be the highlight of my life.

The day we take OUR game back from big business. The People's Game will be back!

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IC set for kick-off as clubs near agreement on funding

THERE have been many so-called historic meetings since the independent commission was first touted, but today's might just be the most important. Representatives of all 16 clubs will meet the eight commissioners and are set to finally resolve the funding disagreement that has stalled the establishment of the new body.

While the independent commission has had many false starts, there appears to be a genuine feeling among the clubs that the stalemate will be broken today.

The NRL has offered the clubs an extra $500,000 above their original $3.85 million grant for next season, less than the $2.15m extra the clubs had demanded in lieu of the expected financial windfall from the next broadcast rights deal, but the clubs are believed to be ready to accept the new offer, which would allow the commission to be set up in a matter of weeks.

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The independent commissioners, led by the chairman, John Grant, have endured a frustrating delay in recent weeks due to the funding issue. They had expected the commission to be in place by November 1, the day after the clubs' licences expired, yet they remain unable to do any official business - including, critically, the negotiations for the next TV rights.

While the ARL has supported the clubs' push for more funding, their co-owners, News Ltd, have baulked at the original amount demanded by the clubs.

But the media company is prepared to hand over control with a $500,000 increase in the annual hand-out. A small number of clubs have been reluctant to accept that counter offer so far but with the majority willing to do so, and the desperation for the commission to take place growing, they are expected to fall into line and sign their now-expired club agreements.

The importance of today's meeting is emphasised by the presence of interstate representatives rather than them having a phone hook-up.

Most clubs are content with the partnership committee's counter offer given the true extent of the television windfall remains unknown. The trick for the clubs has been balancing the need for more funding against the need for the commission to take shape, which would in turn create the funding.

Many clubs believe the new body, which has been in planning since midway through 2008, needs to happen as soon as possible to allow the commissioners to maximise the revenue. ''It's long overdue,'' one club boss said yesterday.

Grant has already expressed his frustrations over the delay, telling the Herald on November 1, the day he was originally expected to take office: ''We can't make true progress on the broadcast rights deal until the commission is formed. But those things will come to a conclusion.''

The clubs, as a complete group, are yet to meet with the commissioners, which will give today's lunchtime meeting at the NRL's headquarters extra historic value.

The meeting will also be attended by NRL's chief executive, David Gallop, who said yesterday: ''It's an opportunity for the commission and the clubs to hear each others' views. We're hopeful that the issues are getting resolved. Communication and appreciation of the financial realities of the clubs and the game will be the key to the current position, and the future.''

Once the funding issues are resolved, the formation of the commission will be a fait accompli.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/

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Clubs agree to sign Licence Agreements

All sixteen NRL Clubs have today agreed to sign ‘club licences’ with the ARL Commission.

Club Chairmen and Chief Executives today met with the Commission at the NRL following several weeks of discussion with the game’s existing partners, the ARL and News Limited over funding.

Wests Tigers Director, Mr David Trodden, said that the meeting had cleared the way for all clubs to sign licenses to compete for the next seven years:

“Today confirmed to everyone that the Commissioners are the right people to have in place and the clubs left more convinced than ever that the Commission is the right structure for the game.

“Over the last few weeks it’s been important that people understand the financial pressures that clubs face and that they address the best ways of ensuring clubs are able to remain strong into the future.

“Inevitably that has led to some emotion but the spirit of the process has been to ensure the stability of the clubs.

“Today was the first opportunity for the clubs to sit down with the Commissioners and to discuss the issues with the people who will govern the game.

“The clubs walked away convinced that the game is heading in the right direction.”

NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said that the decision by the clubs was an important step towards the Commission being formalised:

“The issues facing the clubs have been recognised for some time which is why we have worked for so long to narrow the gap between the club grant and the Salary Cap.

“The more people interact with the Commissioners, the more they are seeing the value of their involvement.

“Today’s outcome is a real vote of confidence in the changes that are taking place and it is important that we continue with that momentum.”

http://www.nrl.com

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Great news! And well done to the clubs for signing a 7 year agreement. I was worried this would be repeated in 12 months.

Bring on the ARL Commission!

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It's pens at 20 paces as NRL's cold war ends
Roy Masters

WITH the imminent withdrawal of News Ltd from rugby league, debate has turned to the date and place of the official ceremony marking what is, in effect, the end of the Super League war.

Sure, the ceasefire in the conflict between the ARL and Rupert Murdoch's empire was declared on December 19, 1997, but there has been a cold war ever since with News Ltd determined to kill off the ARL and replace it with an independent commission.

News Ltd's exit was to be announced on Tuesday, December 13, in the offices of Pitt Street law firm Kemp Strang, with representatives of the ARL, QRL, NSWRL, News Ltd, the NRL and all of its 16 clubs attending.

However, legal complications, including the details of a new contract for NRL chief executive David Gallop, meant the date had to be pushed back.

NRL clubs were informed of this in a message from Wests Tigers chairman David Trodden: ''The proposed date for establishment of the ARL Commission has been deferred to a future date, which is to be fixed. There are several approvals from various parties that remain outstanding, and as soon as these are satisfied the establishment of the ARL Commission will take place. All parties are working together to complete these tasks as soon as possible.''

Some of the delegates to the planned official ceremony would prefer it occur at a sport location, such as the SFS or the SCG, rather than a law firm.

Translation: there is more room for TV cameras at Moore Park to capture ARL delegates, such as chairman John Chalk, handing power to the beaming independent commissioners.

News Ltd's executives might be more camera shy but basically Rupert's men have achieved what they wanted: Gallop as inaugural chief executive of the commission, a $26 million funding package for Melbourne Storm and first and last broadcasting rights until 2027.

Stephen Loosley, one of News Ltd's three directors on the soon to be extinct Partnership Committee, believes the transfer of power has the best interests of the game at heart.

''Super League is being ended, giving rein to the better angels of our nature,'' said the American Civil War historian, quoting Abraham Lincoln's words at his second inauguration address.

Lincoln, who sought to unify the nation at the end of the 1861-65 war, was subsequently assassinated and replaced as US President by Andrew Johnson, who was less charitable.

Similarly, News Ltd boss John Hartigan, a rugby league lover, has recently been replaced by Kim Williams, a big AFL fan.

Williams was previously boss of Foxtel, and News Ltd holds the management rights to the company.

There are some who believe the Super League war will not end until News Ltd succumbs to the ''better angels'' and pays rugby league the same money it awarded AFL for pay-TV rights.

Meanwhile, a site for the official ceremony ending the code's civil war is unresolved.

The start and end sites of the US Civil War are also instructive. It began in the backyard of the McLean family farm, and ended four years later in their parlour.

But Loosley counsels us to be careful here, pointing out that the McLean family farm was at Manassas, outside Washington in 1861 when the first battle was fought. The family then moved as far away from the conflict as it could, taking up residence in West Virginia at Appomattox Court House.

The Confederate retreat finished just outside their second home, and the document ending the war was signed in their front parlour.

Rugby league's Super League war began in Goldfields House, near Sydney's Circular Quay on March 30, 1995, when John Ribot signed Bulldogs players to the rebel competition.

It might end a couple of city blocks away at Kemp Strang, or a short taxi ride to Moore Park before Christmas ? or at News Ltd's Holt Street headquarters next year when Fox Sports pays a just price for the game.

But there was symbolism in an event on Wednesday at a Balmain pub celebrating the life of the late Arthur Beetson.

The ARL chief executive during the Super League war, John Quayle, was there, and spoke lovingly of Beetson.

Ribot, vice-president of the Queensland Former Origin Greats, was helping to organise Beetson's funeral in Brisbane. He called to ask how many seats should be reserved for the NSW contingent.

News Ltd has discarded Quayle and Ribot, yet when it came to the life of a former player, both gave rein ''to the better angels'' of their nature.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/

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Don't delay: let's get commission rolling, says Arko

FORMER ARL boss Ken Arthurson said, as a passionate rugby league lover, he was ''bewildered'' the code's independent commission was still not up and running, despite commissioners being appointed and the ARL and News Limited apparently keen to ride off into the sunset.

However, two years after the decision by News to hand control of the game back to, well, the game, someone still needs to press the go button. ''I'm disappointed it is taking so long,'' Arthurson said. ''I'm not privy to any discussions these days, but I was under the impression it was all systems go. I thought they were holding meetings. I think in these instances, once someone makes a decision of this magnitude it has to be seen through ? procrastination isn't advisable at this stage.'' Arthurson said he met the commissioner, John Grant, at last year's grand final and was impressed by what the former league international had to offer.

He also backed the NRL chief executive, David Gallop, to steer the ship, describing him as a proven leader in tough times. An interesting aside was in 1907, when the code's founding fathers - who included Test cricketer Victor Trumper and J.J. Giltinan - implemented the breakaway code, it took only six or so months for them to get players, formulate a draw, form teams, get access to grounds and manufacture jumpers to start the great game. ''And they had the world against them,'' Arthurson laughed. The NRL says no date has yet been set for the official implementation of the commission.

http://www.myallcoastnota.com.au/