Australian Rugby League Commission on verge of historic shake up
THE Australian Rugby League Commission is on the verge of being completing a historic shake-up with leading sports administrator Peter V’landys part of a revamped ARLC.
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THE biggest boardroom shake up in the Australian Rugby League Commission’s history is imminent with leading sports administrator Peter V’landys and outgoing Broncos chairman Dennis Watt set to join a revamped Australian Rugby League Commission.
The duo are expected to join an expanded ARLC after 90-minute peace talks between NRL clubs and the state leagues at the office of South Sydney chairman Nick Pappas on Wednesday.
Powerful Sydney club chairmen have successfully pushed for V’landys, the chief executive of Racing NSW, to bring his experience, influence and knowledge to rugby league.
V’landys, who was previously mooted as a potential chief executive of the game, masterminded the highly successful $10 million The Everest race which was launched with unprecedented success this year.
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V’landys will bring to rugby league strong government connections, fiscal accountability, extensive knowledge of the wagering industry and the strict integrity measures he has overseen in racing.
These issues have become increasingly important in rugby league with the explosion of sports betting.
Following the agreed constitutional changes, the ARLC will expand from eight members to 10, with V’landys and Watt giving NRL clubs a voice for the first time since the commission’s inception in 2012.
While neither appointment is officially across the line yet, the pair will be joined by NSW and Queensland chairmen George Peponis and Bruce Hatcher when the changes take effect in February.
Under the constitutional reform, the number of independent commissioners will be reduced from eight to six, with the states and clubs to have two representatives apiece on a 10-person body.
Current chairman John Grant is still expected to forfeit his post in February — despite suggestions he would be willing to hang on a little longer, along with commissioner Catherine Harris.
Grant will be replaced by former Queensland premier and chairman of the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, Peter Beattie.
Beattie and leading constitutional lawyer Megan Davis were appointed to the Australian Rugby League Commission in July.
Hatcher, Queensland Rugby League managing director Robert Moore and NSW Rugby League counterparts Dave Trodden, Nick Politis and Ray Dib met yesterday to discuss the constitutional reform at Pappas’ Sydney offices, where after months of tense negotiations change was finally agreed upon.
Watt announced last month he would stand down as Broncos chair at the end of the year. He oversaw the completion of the club’s new $27.2 million headquarters in Brisbane after being appointed chairman midway through 2013 and is understood to be keen to remain part of the game.
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