NRL clubs funding agreement sees John Grant retain ARLC Chairmanship

An agreement on club funding at an emergency general meeting held by NRL clubs today will see Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) Chairman John Grant stay in his position into the 2017 NRL season.

The clubs had initially demanded Grant's resignation following his decision last month to rescind a club funding offer, which had been agreed last year by both parties.

However, the clubs met with Grant at Rugby League Central in Sydney for much of today, agreeing a deal that will include "a significant increase in club payments in the next five years" and a "65% increase in funding for grassroots rugby league" while also seeing Grant retain his position.

Following the agreement, Grant, who served as Chairman of the ARLC since it was established in 2012, announced "under this agreement, the clubs will have the long term financial security they have been seeking.”

The ARLC and clubs also agreed to expedite a review of the constitution while the package also included the establishment of a special fund set up to assist financially distressed clubs.

Club Chairs representative Bart Campbell said the agreement would ensure that the game was strong at every level – from grassroots through to the elite, adding “the clubs and Commission have a common goal – to make rugby league as strong as possible into the future.

“This agreement delivers the funds needed to achieve that target.”

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