NRL calls for review of club Corporate Governance

The National Rugby League Board has today requested that all NRL clubs provide detailed summaries of their corporate governance procedures.

At the same time the Board has called for clubs to actively promote women into more senior roles including Board positions.

The calls came from a scheduled Board meeting at the NRL today which had the opportunity to review a number of recent events in the game.

“There was clearly a concern over the recent issues at Cronulla and while we would expect that this was very much a ‘one-off’ episode, the Board felt that we should seek reassurance from all clubs as to the corporate governance procedures in place at each organisation,” Mr Gallop said.

“We have a wide range of corporate structures from public to community and private ownership.

“We are confident about the way those businesses represent the game but certainly feel that our sponsors and fans would expect that some reassurance of the clubs’ business practices is appropriate.”

The Board today also said that the success of the Harvey Norman Women in League Round was a reminder to the game of the need to ensure qualified women executives were being encouraged into senior roles and in particular Board positions at all clubs.

 “As we prepare for the final Harvey Norman Women in League dinner with the NSW Aussie Blues this evening there has been a real spotlight placed on the achievements of women in the game,” NRL Chief Executive, Mr David Gallop, said today.

“The Board is strongly of the view that there are a large number of women in corporate life who could add real value to Rugby League clubs at a Board level as well as in administrative roles.

“It is important going forward that the make-up of Boards in some way reflects the fact that almost half the game’s fans are women and that an increasing the number of women are involved in administration and game participation.”