The National Rugby League will progress work on the potential creation of trade window periods to enhance the player contracting process after a meeting of club chief executives in Sydney today.
The meeting was updated on progress made by the “Contract Window Working Group” which was created to explore alternatives to the current contracting model.
Club CEOs unanimously agreed to deepen discussions with the Rugby League Players Association (RLPA) about reforming the player contracting process to enhance outcomes for the game and its fans.
NRL chief executive Todd Greenberg said all 16 clubs supported expanding consideration of the trade window process.
“It is in the best interests of the game to have a more orderly process regulating player movement and the player contracting model. I’m pleased there was absolute support from club chief executives today in exploring this further,’’ he said.
“A trade window process would create more excitement and continuity for our fans who regularly express concerns about the current player contracting model.
“We will continue discussions on this issue over the coming weeks and we will consult the players for their views on this important matter.
“I thank the Contract Window Working Group for the significant work they have done in this very complex area.”
The meeting discussed the recent racial intolerance of players on social media. All 16 chief executives gave their absolute support to players who have called out such incidents and re-enforced the game has a zero tolerance approach to racism and abuse of players.
“Today was a timely opportunity to have a collective discussion about racial intolerance in our community,’’ Mr Greenberg said.
“We agreed the standard you walk past is the standard you accept which is why we must call out racism in all its forms. The room congratulated players who had spoken out against racial intolerance in recent days. It will not be tolerated in our game.”
Approval was given for the NRL to launch a variety of capability development programs that clubs will participate in to develop future executive leaders across the game.
The investment in the game’s people will identify emerging staff or players and provide them with the opportunity to participate in programs which will enhance their opportunities to become leading executives at their clubs and across the NRL.
