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NRL confident on Commission

NRL confident on Commission

07/30/2010 06:41:43 AM

NRL club bosses remain confident the proposed Independent Commission will be up and running by November 1.

Chairman of the club negotiating committee, Gold Coast CEO Michael Searle, gave a detailed presentation to a meeting of club chiefs in Sydney on Friday.

He briefed his fellow administrators on recent developments and reported significant progress was being made between all parties on Friday.

All 16 club representatives reiterated the importance of maintaining the momentum and establishing a model based on the appointment of eight fully independent commissioners.

"We've kept things deliberately away from the spotlight but it's fair to say there is a real feeling that we are now breaking through in a number of areas and that all parties, including the ARL, News Limited and the QRL, see November 1 as a very realistic option," Searle said.

"It's important to remember that every delay is actually costing the game money because there are significant savings in the commission model."

The clubs also renewed their pledge to work together to support the negotiating team in the weeks ahead and dismissed reports suggestion they are considering withholding players from the upcoming Four Nations Tournament to pressure the Commission process.

"It is not something that has ever been discussed," Dragons boss Peter Doust said.

"How would I tell a player that I am going to rob him of the chance to play for Australia because we want to establish a Commission," Cowboys chief Peter Parr added."

NRL boss David Gallop, who will continue to run the national competition once the Independent Commission is introduced, said:"It is exciting to hear that things are getting closer – it will be a great opportunity given some of the decisions that lie ahead in the next twelve to eighteen months including the upcoming television negotiations and the construction of a central Rugby League administration complex."

The move towards a Commission comes as clubs have recorded the highest ever membership figures with a net rise of 30,000 members and with 51,000 people taking up membership for the first time.

The growth in membership comes as Telstra Premiership crowds continue to grow on 2009 figures.

The NRL confirmed to clubs today that it will continue its investment in Customer Relation Marketing to support clubs in promoting and retaining members.

 
Photograph Copyright : Getty Images

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