Sydney clubs push radical plan to split from NSWRL after boardroom stoush
In what could be one of the most significant shake-ups in rugby league history, at least two clubs have discussed breaking away from the NSWRL after an emotion-charged annual general meeting on Friday.
Sources with knowledge of the situation told the Herald there was a move among Sydney clubs to break away from the NSWRL after a boardroom stoush that led to chair George Peponis leaving the state body and heavy-hitting director Nick Politis handing in his resignation immediately after.
It’s expected the idea of walking away from the NSWRL will be floated among the Sydney clubs this week. The pitch will be for the NRL to channel funds directly to the clubs, rather than provide the NSWRL an annual $20 million grant, which it then distributes.
If the radical move meets with support from the other clubs, the NSWRL would be left controlling only the State of Origin side and country rugby league.
The move would also clear the way for the NSW-based NRL clubs to return to the popular model of playing all three grades on the same day, a concept that is gathering increasing support.
The Herald can also reveal Cronulla chief executive Dino Mezzatesta has informally complained to ARLC chair Peter V’landys after his nomination to run for the NSWRL board was controversially blocked at the 11th hour.
Cronulla Sharks CEO Dino Mezzatesta, NSWRL boss Dave Trodden and ARLC chairman Peter V’landys.CREDIT:Getty Images
Sources said Mezzatesta was on Sunday seeking legal advice in the hope of submitting paperwork before tomorrow’s ARLC AGM.
V’landys has already placed the issue on the agenda, but the commission will be in a much better position to launch an investigation should the complaint become official before the meeting, which will be held virtually. The NRL chief executives will also take part in the video call.
Sources with knowledge of the situation also claimed there was a growing disgruntlement with NSWRL director Geoff Gerard. One source of unease was that Gerard, who was elected by the clubs, was the only NSWRL board member to have opposed an ARLC constitutional change allowing people who had performed paid club duties to be eligible for the commission after a one-year break rather than three.
The departure of Politis means there is now not a single club representative on the NSWRL board, a point that has not been lost on V’landys.
“What’s alarming here is [the NSWRL board] is not accountable,” V’landys said. “It’ll certainly be discussed at the commission meeting.”
V’landys also reiterated his threat to cut funding to the NSWRL if it was found not to have acted properly over the blocking of Mezzatesta’s bid for a seat on the board.
Former director Deborah Healey, who was the only female director on the board, declined to add any fuel to the fire on Sunday, saying only: “I haven’t got anything constructive to add. I don’t want to comment any further than that.”
NSWRL chief executive Dave Trodden - who has the support of the country-based members of the current board - declined to comment when contacted by the Herald. But he was backed by deputy chair John Anderson on Saturday.
“The NSWRL board has no intention of breaching the confidentialities of a private board meeting yesterday, but it objects to the manner in which events that transpired were reported,” Anderson said.
“In particular, the board is disappointed by what appears to be a targeted personal attack on chief executive David Trodden for simply doing his job. The board will now move to consider the casual vacancy that exists for one director and the appointment of a new chair.”
Interesting, what about the implications for the lower grades like State Cup?
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Interesting, what about the implications for the lower grades like State Cup?
I doubt it happens for that reason.
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Interesting, what about the implications for the lower grades like State Cup?
I doubt it happens for that reason.
Where to begin in interpreting this power struggle??
