NRL names inaugural eight commissioners

[VAI]

NRL chief executive David Gallop claimed there was still some way to go, despite rugby league's drawn out path to independence reaching a significant milestone with the naming of the members of the inaugural commission.

Former international John Grant will chair a group which includes Catherine Harris, Ian Elliott, Peter Gregg, Gary Pemberton, Jeremy Sutcliffe, Chris Sarra as well as former Test and NSW Origin representative Wayne Pearce.

The list was unveiled by South Sydney president Nick Pappas - who was part of the selection committee - at Thursday's NRL summit of club bosses in Sydney.

The naming of the commissioners has been a long time coming, but Gallop said the announcement didn't signal the handover of control of the game from current owners News Limited and the Australian Rugby League.

"It's easy for everyone to say we've now got eight commissioners and, therefore, the commission's going to start today," Gallop said.

"Nick Pappas made it clear today that there's still a fair bit of work to be done before the commission can actually be established, but certainly having the eight people appointed is a significant step."

It is believed the commission will be in place to take over before the start of next season, which officially begins on November 1.

The announcement of the eight commissioners was certainly a poignant moment for Gold Coast chief executive Michael Searle, who had been one of the driving forces behind the initial push for independence more than two years ago.

"I'm happy for it to come to fruition, I'm happy for those involved in the game, to bring a close to the armistice and hopefully get on with the new era in rugby league," Searle said.

"It was an important thing for the game, I think both partners, the Australian Rugby League and News Limited, have done the right thing through the negotiations ... a restructure is the right outcome for our game but also for our partners."

Asked about those who have chosen to be on the first commission, Searle said: "I think the game's achieved what it set out to do, which is try to put a corporate lid onto (the structure) and maintain the very fabric of the game of rugby league."

http://news.smh.com.au/breaking-new...gural-eight-commissioners-20110721-1hqo7.html

 

[VAI]

New commission chief gets down to business with Gallop

AFTER being named as the inaugural chairman of the new independent commission, the former Kangaroos star and IT guru John Grant will meet with the chief executive of the NRL, David Gallop, today.

The meeting follows the official announcement yesterday of the eight commissioners who will take over the running of the game from News Ltd and the ARL. They are:
•Grant, who was a member of Australia's 1972 World Cup team squad and heads the IT company Data#3;
•Harris Farm Markets chairwoman and founder Catherine Harris;
•Brand strategist Ian Elliot;
•Leighton Holdings executive director and chief financial officer Peter Gregg;
•Former Qantas and SOCOG chairman Gary Pemberton;
•CSR chairman Jeremy Sutcliffe;
•League great and management consultant Wayne Pearce, and;
•Indigenous education leader Dr Chris Sarra.

The chairman of South Sydney, Nicholas Pappas, who was a member of the four-man selection committee that chose the eight commissioners, confirmed the appointments at yesterday's meeting of NRL club bosses.

The commissioners will begin an induction period before the official handover occurs, which officials predicted could be weeks or months away.

Pappas told the meeting there were still a dozen issues to resolve, including News Ltd's refusal to sign a non-compete clause guaranteeing the media company would never again start a Super League-style breakaway competition.

''It is certainly important that we do all we can to ensure that the commission is in a place to make decisions from the earliest possible opportunity,'' Gallop said.

''This has been a lengthy process, and there are a number of legal steps required to finalise all membership agreements, dissolve the existing NRL partnership and board, dissolve the ARL board, transfer all contracts and meet all tax and company requirements.

''We are being advised that this may take a bit more time, which will give valuable time for the commissioners to be briefed on all important issues in advance of their first formal meeting.''

The chief executive of Gold Coast, Michael Searle, who began working with the Sydney Roosters chairman, Nick Politis, towards the implementation of an independent commission three years ago, said he was satisfied with the people who had been appointed.

''I think the game has achieved what it set out to do, which is put a corporate lid on to [the structure] and maintain the very fabric of the game of rugby league,'' Searle said.

''It has always been important for the fans that we don't change the culture of the game, and by putting these type of business people on the commission will make sure we have a very strong corporate lid to administer our game for the next 100 years.

''It was an important thing for the game, and both partners, the Australian Rugby League and News Ltd, have done the right thing for the game by being transparent and very upfront about what they want from the game. A restructure is the right outcome for our game and also the partners. I'm happy for it to come to fruition.''


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...with-gallop-20110721-1hr0k.html#ixzz1SugwOO4F

 

[VAI]

Pearce so proud of chance to shape game

AFTER being confirmed as one of the eight inaugural members of league's independent commission, former international Wayne Pearce said he was incredibly proud and extremely excited to be included as part of a concept he says should take the game to new heights.

''It can send rugby league skyrocketing,'' Pearce said last night from Orange, where he was preparing to speak at a corporate function in his full-time role as a business consultant. ''It will take the politics out of the game, which has been an issue, I think, for as long as anyone can remember.''

Pearce, 51, has gone from hot dogs to big dog. He used to sell hot dogs at Leichhardt Oval as a 15-year-old before playing for Balmain, NSW and Australia. For a decade he has been growing his business - Wayne Pearce Advantage - both here and overseas. Now he has been given the opportunity to join a group that will be in a position to make big decisions and take the game forward.

''I can't talk at length about my ideas until I've had the chance to meet with the other people on the commission and discuss things with them,'' Pearce said. ''I know some of them, but there are a few I haven't met at this stage, and it will be great to get to know them. But I've got some views that are based on my experiences as a player, a coach, and also as the parent of a player [Sydney Roosters and NSW halfback Mitchell Pearce].

''I've also got some other views based on my professional life experiences away from football that I think would be valuable as input. When I was first asked if I would be interested in being on the commission, I thought, 'What a wonderful opportunity to have some input into the future direction of the game.' I love the game.''

Pearce said he had learnt a huge amount from working, through his business, to help people reach their potential in their professional lives.

''I'm in the business of helping people to work better as a team,'' he said. ''My work is about motivation and developing leadership strategies. The business has taken me not only to many parts of Australia, but also to Hong Kong, Singapore and New Zealand, and I'm sure I can take a lot of the techniques I've learnt and use them on behalf of the game …

''When I look at the list of people who are going to be on the commission, it's clear that it's a tremendous group with a huge amount of knowhow.''

Pearce said the introduction of an independent commission was overdue, but better late than never. ''It's got the potential to do an enormous amount of good for the game,'' he said.


Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/...-shape-game-20110721-1hr0j.html#ixzz1SuhFRLob

 

[kimlo]

What happens to Gallop when the IC is established?

 

[Paint.]

What happens to Gallop when the IC is established?

Goneskies, i think

 

[Raysie]

What happens to Gallop when the IC is established?

He'll still be CEO.

 

[Özil]

yeah he will still be CEO...

 

[kimlo]

yeah he will still be CEO...

Ah ok. So he'll be CEO but he has to answer to the board of 8 commissioners.

TBH I don't think Gallop is a bad CEO at all, I think he has just been stuck between too many dinosaurs and unable to make any decisions due to all the political bull****. I think once the IC is established it will be a helluva lot easier for him to actually be CEO and control the game.

 

[VAI]

it has been reported that the clubs are happy for gallop to be appointed to a new 4 year deal

 

[Parra_Power]

it has been reported that the clubs are happy for gallop to be appointed to a new 4 year deal

:nervous: