ARL Commission officially kicks off

The long-awaited new Australian Rugby League Commission has been officially launched as the single controlling body and administrator of the game in Australia.
The Commission, which has been developed over four years, came into being with the former Australian Rugby League (ARL) being dissolved on Friday morning (10th February).
The eight-person ARL Commission today assumed governance of the game as Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Anthony Albanese and NSW Minister for Sport and Recreation Graham Annesley officially opened Rugby League Central, the code's new $20 million headquarters at Sydney's Moore Park.
The changes were made in the presence of all 16 National Rugby League (NRL) clubs, senior players, development personnel and representatives of the State Leagues, who will report to the Commission, in the the biggest structural change to the running of the game since the formation of the NSWRL in 1907.
Chaired by former Kangaroo and IT industry leader John Grant, the ARL Commission replaces the NRL Partnership between the ARL and News Limited. In doing so, it replaces the existing Partnership Committee and the existing ARL and NRL Boards.
In addition to Granth, the inaugural Commissioners are Harris Farm founder Catherine Harris, brand strategist Ian Elliot, commentator and former player Wayne Pearce, Gary Pemberton (who led the Sydney 2000 Olympic bid), business figures Peter Gregg and Jeremy Sutcliffe and educationalist Dr Chris Sarra.
Speaking immediately after the foundation of the Commission, Grant explained "we finally have the result we wanted.
"Rugby league has today achieved something many sporting competitions around the world are working very, very hard on and that's independent governance.
"It may have taken a little while longer to get here than some expected but that in itself is testimony to the significance of what is taking place.
"To be ready to bring the Commission 'on-line' as Rugby League Central enjoys its official opening provides a nice synergy at a time when the whole of Rugby League is looking to what we can achieve in the future.
"The Commissioners will act as custodians for the game and are committed to acting in the best interests of Rugby League in an environment that considers all parties but which is not aligned to any one area of the sport."
The Commission will be based at Rugby League Central, an administration, history and learning centre that brings the NRL, NSW Rugby League, Australian Rugby League (ARL) Development and Country Rugby Leagues into the one working environment.
Under its charter, the role of the Commission will be to foster, develop and grow the game; to provide adequate funding for Rugby League at all levels; to run, organise and conduct the NRL competition; to organise and conduct all State of Origin and Australian International games; and to liaise with and delegate appropriate functions to the governing bodies in the States and Territories of Australia, including the NSWRL and QRL (the full list of company 'objects' appears on a separate ARL Commission information release).
The changes ends 14 seasons of the NRL competition under the banner of a formal News Limited and ARL Partnership.
Grant added iIt speaks volumes for the spirit of Rugby League that a number of parties and individuals have acted selflessly in stepping aside to allow the Commission to come into being."
Former ARL Chairman and NSWRL Chairman, John Chalk, oversaw the final meeting of the previous ARL Board and the dissolving of the former constitution. Chalk explained that it was an important step for the future but also the end of an era for many who had supported the ARL over a number of years.
Chalk explained "the ARL logo has been a strong symbol for many in Rugby League but there are times when you have to let go of the past to move forward and this is an important step forward."
Long-standing NRL Chief Executive David G