NRL pathways: squads to 36 players, debut age 19 and new second tier competition

NRL squads could be increased to 36 players and youngsters banned from debuting until age 19 in radical new changes being considered by the NRL.

South Sydney Rabbitohs CEO Shane Richardson leaves the NRL CEO's conference at NRL headquarters at Fox Studios, Moore Park, Sydney.

NRL squads could be increased to 36 players and youngsters banned from making their debut until age 19 in radical new changes being considered by rugby league’s governing body.

The proposed pathways blueprint, which aims to come into force in 2017, will also see the under-20s competition become a state-based league while the current NSW and QLD Cups will form part of a national reserve grade `platinum’ competition.

The plan was designed by Head of Game Strategy and Development, Shane Richardson and the NRL says the aim of the plan is to improve player welfare and protect the game’s stars from burnout.

The key recommendations of the plan include:

— Increasing the size of NRL squads to 36 players — including six rookies

— Restricting players from making their NRL debuts until the year they turn 19. No player to be signed with an agent until he is 17 — and contracts for these players should be for a maximum three year term

— Restructuring the National Youth Competition into a State based under 20 competition

— Introducing rookie contracts for the start of the 2018 season with each club allowed to sign three rookies each year on two year contracts

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— Revamping and upgrading the State League into a Platinum League to spread the footprint of the competition into all the areas that play Rugby League

— Easing player welfare by considering additional leave, creating a formal International window over an eight-year period and reducing the number of five day turnarounds

Further consultation will take place between the NRL, Rugby League Players’ Association and the state bodies before any changes are finalised.

Originally published as NRL pathways: squads to 36 players, debut age 19 and new second tier competition