NRL: Clint Newton to take over from Ian Prendergast as RLPA CEO
Former Knights forward Clint Newton is the new RLPA CEO and his first job will be to help players through the biggest challenge the NRL has faced in its history – the coronavirus.
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Former Knights forward Clint Newton has been appointed RLPA CEO and his first job will be to help players through the biggest challenge the NRL has faced in its history – the coronavirus.
ARL Commission Chairman Peter V’landys, NRL CEO Todd Greenberg and Newton presented a united front on Thursday when the game’s three key stakeholders committed to keeping the 2020 season running for as long as possible amid the coronavirus crisis.
Newton’s immediate focus now turns to supporting the New Zealand Warriors after the team decided to remain in Australia.
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“We’ve been in regular contact with the Warriors players to help work through the various challenges that have been presented over the past week and we will continue to offer our support during these unprecedented times,” Newton told The Saturday Telegraph.
“I think everyone should be incredibly grateful for the Warriors taking on the added responsibility of being away from their families in such uncertain times.
“They are doing so to basically keep the competition alive and I can’t stress how admirable their sacrifice is for the benefit of not only their fellow players, but the entire game of rugby league.
The Warriors only found out they would be stranded in Australia after their round one clash against the Knights in Newcastle, as news broke that the New Zealand government would be implementing a 14-day quarantine for all international arrivals.
Australia has also affected its own border control policy which prevents anyone who isn’t a citizen or a resident from entering the country.
On Friday, the Warriors agreed to stay in Australia for as long as the NRL season continued to run.
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Newton, who was the RLPA’s General Manager of Player and Football Operations for four years, reiterated the importance of taking a collaborative approach through this crisis.
“While this appointment is pleasing for me on a personal level, the gravity of the situation that the game
is currently facing is significant, but the RLPA team is steadfast with their commitment to help navigate
the players through these difficult times,” he said.
“We will get through this together.
“For the game to be the best it can be and reach its potential, players will always need to be involved
upfront in decisions that impact them, and we must continue working together with all the major
stakeholders on a journey with shared objectives.”
Former Carlton Blues player and outgoing CEO Ian Prendergast, who joined the association in 2015, praised the appointment of Newton.
“We couldn’t have achieved what we have in recent years without Clint’s passion and values-based connection with industry stakeholders helping drive the approach,” Prendergast said.
“I have every confidence that Clint’s understanding of how the RLPA can have a positive influence an properly represent its members will ensure he is a successful leader of the association.”
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Elsewhere, the coronavirus has forced the NZRL to postpone its upcoming Test match against Tonga Invitational XIII scheduled for June.
It’s likely now that Test will be played later in the year alongside a women’s Test between the Kiwi Ferns and Fetu Samoa.
“With the recent announcement on mass gatherings and the unpredictability of this pandemic, the safety and wellbeing of our players, staff and supporters remain a priority. We are also very conscious of the current demand on some of our players due to the travel restrictions in place which we will be taking into full consideration going forward,” NZRL CEO Greg Peters said.