NRL 2022: ARL Commission pushing to have more women on NRL boards

A new licencing agreement could include a requirement for all NRL club boards to have a female member. But will all the clubs agree to the move?

Isabelle Kelly (C) is one NRLW star on rugby’s radar. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images

In a massive and historic spur for women in rugby league, the ARL Commission’s new licensing agreements could stipulate clubs must include at least one female on every NRL football club board.

The Daily Telegraph has been told the requirements may be encompassed under a licensing agreement term called “minimum standards.”

The proposal to include a woman on all boards is still being discussed and considered at NRL headquarters. There could also be a push for more women to be employed in club football departments.

Clubs though may not agree to the plan.

Several clubs already have female board members including Kerry Chrysiliou and Julie Sibraa at Manly and Rebecca Frizelle at Gold Coast Titans.

Harvey Norman CEO Katie Page and Harris Farm Markets chair Catherine Harris were former ARL commissioners while Professor Megan Davis and ex-Queensland Government Minister Kate Jones are current ARL Commissioners.

Swim legend Dawn Fraser was once on the Wests Tigers board while Marina Go served as a Tigers chair.

Andrew Abdo, Peter V'landys and Kate Jones. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

The licensing agreements will be officially signed off when the clubs and NRL reach an agreement on funding. Some clubs have been told what to expect in the licensing agreements.

All current club licensing agreements expire after next season. The NRL will outlay funding to clubs but will, in return, incorporate clauses. Clubs may also seek their own requirements.

The Daily Telegraph reached out to the NRL for comment on Sunday afternoon. NRL clubs and the game’s governing body have been at war over funding for several months.

While most clubs appear content with the revised NRL’s financial offer, there are multiple details that still need to be settled before a deal can be formally and finally struck.

There may well be another week of argy-bargy in discussions.

NRL CEO Andrew Abdo presented to the clubs once again last week but the NRL’s enthusiasm over progress in negotiations isn’t necessarily shared by all clubs. Some clubs deny a deal is imminent.

Once a deal can be struck, and funding is provided to clubs, the NRL will then ask all clubs to sign a new licensing agreement.

At a function in July, to celebrate Women in League round, ARL Commission chairman Peter V’landys spoke of his desire to make the NRLW Australia’s premier female sport.

“Rugby league brings us all together, the ambition for the ARLC is to have rugby league as the number one female sport in Australia,” V’landys said.

“We want to grow the women’s game and make it equal to the men’s game.”

The Australian Jillaroos scored a famous 54-4 win over New Zealand in the women’s World Cup final on Sunday morning in Manchester.

CBA negotiations are certain to step up now the World Cup has concluded and players will shortly return home.

What’s the Buzz: Rugby to launch raid on NRLW stars

- Phil Rothfield

Rugby league is in danger of losing its best female players to rugby union for the Paris Olympics as a result of the RLPA pay dispute that has crippled the game.

The star-studded Jillaroos look set to be the biggest losers when the dust finally settles on the game’s collective bargaining agreement.

The most elite NRLW players will be forced to take substantial pay cuts under the current NRL proposal, in a huge blow to the future development of the game.

While plans are in place to increase the NRLW salary cap from $350,000 to $800,000 next season, there are also moves to increase the minimum wage for players from $10,000 to $30,000.

Isabelle Kelly (C) is one NRLW star on rugby’s radar. Picture: George Wood/Getty Images

NRLW squads will be 24-strong, meaning $720,000 of the $800,000 salary cap will be distributed across each playing group.

That means the majority of the game’s biggest stars – namely those that represented Australia at the World Cup and played State of Origin this year – look certain to be taking pay cuts.

RLPA boss Clint Newton is negotiating to increase the cap to at least $900,000.

It is shaping up as a big story.

The female players are furious about the situation but have chosen not to speak out until after they have finished their commitments at the World Cup.

Rugby union has already reached out to NRLW superstar fullback Tamika Upton.

Others including Jess Sergis, Isabelle Kelly and Jesse Southwell are on rugby’s radar.

Australia finished without a medal at the last Olympics and is desperate to make amends in 2024.

Originally published as NRL 2022: ARL Commission pushing to have more women on NRL boards