New ARL Commission member Mark Coyne outlines new ideas

IN just his first interview, Mark Coyne has already shown why he has built a stunning business resume over more than 20 years to support his storied playing career.

New ARL Commissioner Mark Coyne has plans to boost the NRL. Picture: Craig Greenhill

• PRE-SEASON GUIDE: Injuries halt quest for NRL glory

• NRL Rumour Mill: Contract news as November 1 arrives

IN just his first interview, Mark Coyne has already shown why he has built a stunning business resume over more than 20 years to support his storied playing career.

Boasting league experience at the coal-face, commercial nous and a crucial network of government-level contacts the Test, Queensland State of Origin and three-time grand-finalist has outlined his ideas, concerns and aspirations for rugby league a s a newly-appointed member of the ARL Commission.

While Coyne shot down suggestions he was being groomed to ultimately replace ARL chairman Peter Beattie, he told The Daily Telegraph there were a range of issues he was eager to investigate as a commissioner including:

New ARL Commissioner Mark Coyne has plans to boost the NRL. Picture: Craig Greenhill

HAYNE TO TRAIN ALONE AS EELS DEAL STALLS

SPORT CONFIDENTIAL: JT’S RETIREMENT TREAT

* Whether to scrap unlimited interchange at junior league level to fix waning grassroots participation levels;

* Increasing revenue and profit to ensure the longevity of both the clubs and the code; and

* Ways to enhance the game-day experience to avoid the “terrible” look of empty stadiums on TV.

OVERHAUL JUNIORS INTERCHANGE

Coyne has over 20 years experience in the workers compensation sector, including previously held positions with GIO, before being appointed into his current role as CEO of Employees Mutual Limited, in 2012.

The 51-year-old’s post-football success were undeniable factors in Beattie convincing the famous Dragon to take a seat on the ARL Commission.

Yet Coyne has declared his experience as a father and coach of junior league every Saturday morning will prove equally as vital in his determination to grow the game from the boardroom.

The Queensland great will eye junior rugby league as a starting point. Picture: Anthony Weate

“I want to help the game continue to grow so that we’re bringing more kids through the game and staying in the game,’’ Coyne said.

“I saw what happened at Gymea (junior league club) where I was involved in coaching my son from back in the under-12s to now in the 18s and seeing kids drop out.

“I think it’s mainly because they’re getting run around by bigger kids and I think there’s definitely some stuff that we can look at to try and improve keeping little kids in the game.

“I’m quite interested in having a discussion around the current unlimited interchange (at junior level).

“What’s happening is, the big players can run on and off as they’re needed and it means the little players don’t get the opportunities to use their skills against the guys that are tired.

“I think there’s a whole heap of things that we should look at.’’

Asked if he had eyes on Beattie’s chairmanship, Coyne said: “I’ve got to get in the seat first and get a bit of a sense around whether I am adding value or not.

“Anything other than that, is pure speculation and something I’m not even going to think about until I sit down at the table.’’

Coyne also wants to focus on getting fans back to games. Picture: Mark Evans

CROWDS

Between 1988 and 1999, Coyne played 222 games for St George and St George Illawarra, 19 State of Origin matches for Queensland and nine Tests for Australia.

He played during a decade that is often viewed by fans and commentators as the game’s halcyon days.

However, plateaued crowd numbers - finishing with a combined crowd of 15,260 per game this year - leads Coyne to believe that more can be done to perfect the game-day experience.

“When I look at the game itself, the crowds obviously look terrible on TV when technically we make the majority of our money from the TV rights,’’ Coyne said.

“So we need to do something to try and get people back to the game and I’m sure there’s probably people smarter than me in that area looking at - but we actually need to make that happen.

“We need to make the game accessible.

“Whether it’s around pricing or venues, the game day experience of being able to get people in and out of their lounge rooms to experience it live.’’

Coyne has enormous experience in commercial work.

REVENUE

Coyne’s strength is in numbers. And it’s the game’s profit and loss columns which Coyne wants to help reinvigorate.

“I’ve run a pretty large operation for seven years, been in the commercial work for 30-years and really I only had a couple of years of just playing footy,’’ Coyne said.

“I’ve got good networks with government relations because most of my contracts that my company deal with are government entities.

“Those are key things in me taking this seat and having played the game and having that commercial background was the key for them.

“What are we doing to grow the revenue base of the game?

“Getting the funding allocation right is really important that every club is sustainable.’’

Every Test, ODI & T20I live, ad-break free during play and in 4K. Only on Foxtel. SIGN UP TODAY!

Originally published as New ARL Commission member Mark Coyne outlines new ideas