NRL cancels season launch event as CBA drama continues to over shadow season build up
The NRL has revealed the latest casualty of the ongoing CBA dispute between the NRL and the players with the stalemate between the two parties threatening to boil over.
NRL
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The NRL has scrapped its season launch.
The traditional event on the eve of the season been a staple of the NRL’s calendar. However, club bosses were told on Tuesday afternoon that the planned event on Thursday had been cancelled.
The event has been a casualty of the ongoing CBA dispute between the NRL and the players. The NRL’s decision to pull the pin on the launch has prevented any potential stand-off with the players who had indicated they were willing to boycott.
The players have already refused to deal with the NRL’s official website as the stalemate between the two parties threatened to boil over. Players also refused to take part in any promotional work for the governing body in recent weeks.
However, tensions have eased in recent days with talks continuing on Tuesday with both parties inching closer to a resolution.
The decision to cancel the launch eases any potential further blowback as the parties move towards a deal.
Each club usually sends their captain and a high profile player to help kick-off the season.
ARL Commission chair Peter V’landys intervened in the talks on Monday with hopes a deal could be reached by the end of this week.
White Bay Cruise Terminal played host to the season launch in 2021 while the NRL ditched its plan to hold the promotion in Penrith last year because of floods.
Instead they donated money to assist grassroot clubs who were impacted by floods.
An NRL spokesman confirmed the event was cancelled.
“Due to the ongoing collective bargaining agreement negotiations, the NRL will not hold a season launch function this Thursday as originally planned,” the statement read.
“The NRL remains focussed on making positive progress regarding the joint NRL and NRLW agreements.”
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