Australian Rugby League Commission Limited

The formation of the ARL Commission in February 2012 was an historic opportunity to streamline Rugby League's governance structures and to provide a single point for all strategic direction. The professionalism of the sixteen NRL Telstra Premiership teams, the history and heritage of the Australian Kangaroos, the unrivalled excitement of State of Origin, the grassroots enthusiasm of many-thousands of regular competition participants and the unbridled fun and opportunity that comes to those in the community each year who find Rugby League through school visits, player appearances, matches and respect and social inclusion programs are coordinated through the one independent body. Chaired by Peter V'landys AM, the ARL Commission brings together a uniquely qualified array of business and sporting leaders who act as trustees of the game. Together they work with the Commission's administrative executive, to foster, develop, and grow the game and provide adequate funding for Rugby League at all levels. The Commission liaises with and delegates appropriate functions to the governing bodies in the States and Territories of Australia, including the NSWRL and QRL. The Commission brought to a close the fourteen seasons of the NRL Partnership between News Limited and the ARL which saw Rugby League achieve record growth in crowds, ratings, membership and commercial revenue. For all its success, the NRL Partnership was born out of a period of division as News and the ARL sought to heal a rift in the game. The Partnership had responsibility over the Telstra Premiership and game-wide broadcasting and revenue rights, while the ARL separately held carriage over the international team, State Leagues and game development. With the backing of all clubs and all leagues, each of the NRL Partners stood aside to support a new organisation born out of a sense of opportunity and common purpose, one which has brought with it a central governance structure. While the Australian Rugby League Commission retains an historic name in Australian sport, it represents a new era for Rugby League and for the millions who live and breathe the exhilaration of the Greatest Game for All.