National Rugby League Chief Executives have committed to a new strategic framework to ensure clubs and the NRL work together more effectively in growing the game.
Today’s meeting at Rugby League Central looked at issues including stadium strategy, integrity procedures, the development of the game’s future fund, the second tier review and club benchmarking.
“There is a growing understanding of what we can achieve by bringing the talents across the clubs together to create opportunities for fans,” NRL Chief Executive, Mr Dave Smith, said today.
“What we are looking to do is to align the work of the clubs with the strategic targets of the game and that means being a lot smarter about where we invest individually and where we look to make savings by working collectively.
“As we finalise positions in the new NRL structure we are getting to a place where we can work more closely with the clubs and the key stakeholders within clubs in developing new opportunities.”
The CEOs have committed to quarterly meetings that will align their activities against the game’s strategic plan.
The meetings will see the clubs share their own strategies in ways that targets growth across the game. They will also include key business and international sporting figures who can contribute to the process.
Clubs will also be engaged in monthly conference calls that will review operational issues across the competition.
NRL Chief Operating Officer, Mr Jim Doyle, said that the process was part of the NRL’s commitment to ensuring all areas of the game are contributing to the same strategic outcomes:
“The clubs want to be a part of where we are going as a game and this structure provides a real opportunity both to do that and to ensure that there is a discipline around that process.
“We want to involve key strategists from business and international sport in the process and it will change the way the clubs and the NRL work together at an executive level.”
