Qld Rugby League and NSW Rugby League launch joint litigation against ARLC over funding issues

Rugby league’s most powerful man has fired back at the heartland states, levelling his own accusations at Queensland and New South Wales as rugby league’s civil war picks up steam.

Ben Ikin from the QRL who have launched joint litigation against the ARLC. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

The country’s two premier state rugby league bodies have officially waged war on the Australian Rugby League Commission, launching joint litigation in relation to unresolved funding issues.

Tensions between the groups have been growing over the past 12 months and have led to a stunning attack on the game’s highest powers.

A joint statement from Queensland Rugby League and New South Wales Rugby League alleged issues with funding that the ARLC is required to provide stem as far back as 2022.

“Queensland Rugby League (QRL) and the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) have commenced joint litigation today against the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) in an attempt to resolve funding issues for the 2023 financial year,” the statement read.

“The ARLC is constitutionally required to provide annual funding to the state leagues to deliver community rugby league, support statewide competitions and clubs, and run the men’s and women’s State of Origin programs, a framework that was introduced when the ARLC was established in 2012.”

Both state bodies said the decision to commence joint litigation against the ARLC is regrettable.

“However, the ARLC was required to provide State League annual funding approval (for the 2023 financial year) by 30 September 2022 but now, in February 2024, the matter is still unresolved, leaving the state leagues with no alternative but to take action for the benefit of the stakeholders they represent.

“The state leagues remain willing to participate in joint mediation. As the matter is before the courts, the QRL and NSWRL will make no further comment.”

Rugby league’s most powerful man, ARLC chairman Peter V’landys, returned serve at the game’s heartland custodians, accusing the Queensland and New South Wales Rugby Leagues

of launching a frivolous lawsuit.

“Naturally we categorically reject their assertions in their action as there are always two sides to a story,” V’landys said.

“They are using the media to promote their position. We have not.

“However, the legal action is a gross waste of money that should be used by the two states authorities for grassroots participation and pathways.”

V’landys said an offer to mediate with the QRL and NSWRL had been rejected in favour of legal action.

“We are not the ones taking the legal action, it’s a matter for the plaintiffs. We offered to meet but they preferred to take legal action.

“There are two sides. We will not be making any further comment.”

QRL chief executive Ben Ikin rubbished V’landys’ claim that the ARLC had extended an olive branch.

“We’ve been asking for joint mediation for months and the ARLC keeps refusing, which is disappointing because the chairman is quite happy to meet with four NRL CEOs and approve bucketloads of cash for training grounds in Las Vegas,” Ikin responded.

“That shows you where the ARLC’s priorities are.”

The state bodies have been at loggerheads over crucial funding decisions.

It became public knowledge last year when leaked emails from NRL CEO Andrew Abdo revealed the ARLC did not approve of the Western Clydesdales participation in the Hostplus Cup, Queensland’s premier league competition.

This month the ARLC then rejected a request to contribute funds to a Maroons pre-season camp and knocked back pleas for $50,000 Queensland Rugby League funding proposal to secure the survival of North Queensland’s historic Foley Shield.

Originally published as Qld Rugby League and NSW Rugby League launch joint litigation against ARLC over funding issues