NRL clubs’ spokesman David Trodden has praised Australian Rugby League Commission chairman John Grant for providing a proactive communication solution between the two parties.
Club representatives met at St George Leagues on Tuesday and agreed on a model for interaction between clubs and the ARLC on strategic matters.
Trodden, the Wests Tigers chairman, said the idea was suggested by the commission.
“The plan is that a representative of the 16 clubs and the commissioners themselves get together in what they want to call an NRL Club Council,” Trodden said.
“The purpose of the meeting today (Tuesday) was to introduce that concept to the clubs and to find out whether they support that concept or not.
“And if they did support that concept, which they do, to discuss possible agenda items for the first meeting which is suggested for the Monday the 27th of August.
“They are looking to meet quarterly and to discuss strategic issues.”
Trodden implored that the NRL Club Council was not a lobby group.
“Not at all. It’s a group to facilitate communication between all the stakeholders on high-level strategic issues,” he said.
“I think it’s a very proactive thing that the commissioners are doing by suggesting that organisation.
“Proper communication and effective communication is always the biggest issue between any people in an organisation and I reckon the commissioners, particularly John Grant, are being proactive in suggesting this sort of mechanism.
“It’s further evidence of the different approach they are bringing to the game by being inclusive with communication channels.”
Issues such as a mooted $1 billion television rights deal and the salary cap were not discussed at the meeting on Tuesday.
“It wasn’t that sort of forum … what we’ll do now is talk to the commissioners about an agenda for the 27th and, no doubt, they’ll agree on a couple of things to go on the agenda,” Trodden said.
“It’s not a decision-making forum or anything like that – it’s just to facilitate a proper exchange of information.”
Trodden denied NRL clubs were growing impatient with the commission over the TV deal and finding a replacement for NRL chief executive David Gallop.
“On the contrary, the clubs are grateful for the approach that the commissioners are taking by trying to set up a forum in which there can be an exchange of information,” he said.
“Things like picking a CEO and doing the TV deal are things the clubs don’t have any role in.
“They are our commissioners and that’s what we want them to do. We don’t want to appoint them and then tell them how to do their jobs.
“It was absolutely positive today. The clubs overwhelmingly are grateful for the proactive approach that the commissioners are taking in setting this thing up.”
