Review: 'things have to change' in NZ Rugby League

Rugby league in New Zealand has "no shared vision for the game nationally and no meaningful strategic plan" according to a just released independent review of the game.

The review also highlighted that "player numbers are declining" with just 17,000 registered players; that the New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) "has accumulated losses of $2.2 million for the 2006 and 2007 periods and now has no cash reserves"; that the "NZRL has lost support from key funding and sponsorship partners"; and that the recommendations of four previous governance and capability reviews undertaken since 2002 had not implemented by the NZRL Board.

These hard-hitting findings result from a review of rugby league in New Zealand undertaken by a committee jointly appointed by the NZRL and Crown agency Sport and Recreation New Zealand (SPARC).

The eight-member committee, chaired by Sir John Anderson, was made up of members with legal, sporting and business backgrounds and included Howie Tamati, Don Mackinnon, Wayne Scurrah, Elizabeth Coutts, Graeme Sole, Cameron McGregor and Peter Wilson.

Commencing work in August, the review was being undertaken while the Kiwis became World Cup champions for the first time. This success, the committee suggested "demonstrates the remarkable talent and potential for the sport in New Zealand" before going on to highlight that "high performance is 'outsourced' to Australia" with the NZRL having "no effective strategies in place to mange this (high performance)."

The review also highlighted that the "NZRL has no sustainable programs in place to support the 'grass roots' game" and the lack of a "sustainable national representative competition."

The review's 10 recommendations include a new constitution and a new board structure with a 'robust appointment process'.

The new structure would have seven board members, four appointed and three elected, with equal voting rights. Of the four appointed members, two would be SPARC appointees.

The board would adopt processes that included transparency, commitment to excellence and a strategy of development and delivery.

There would also be a seven-zone set-up, with the zones having voting rights in the NZRL.

Each zone would have its own constitution and board, and be responsible for co-ordinating programs, running competitions, sponsorship and grass roots activities.

SPARC, which has agreed to provide transition funding of $450,000 to support the first stage of the implementation of the recommendations through to the end of September 2009, has welcomed the report, Chief Executive Peter Miskimmin stating "the recommendations are far reaching and extensive... (rugby league) is in crisis and canât be allowed to fail."

The NZRL Board and district leagues have also embraced the recommendations, Chairman Ray Haffenden stating that "there was a totally positive reaction at presentations made to the district leagues and affiliated bodies up and down the country."

Haffenden added that "the game cannot go on the way it has been. It is obvious dramatic change is needed if we are to again become a viable concern on New Zealand's sporting landscape."

For more information go to www.nzrl.co.nz

30th July 2008 - COSGROVE WELCOMES NZ RUGBY LEAGUE REVIEW

19th May 2008 - SPARC APPOINTS NEW CHIEF EXECUTIVE