Rugby League Supporters



	25th November 2006 NRL Radio Rights Issue The National Rugby League recently announced the assigning of radio rights to call NRL matches for the next 3 years. At our recent executive meeting the board noted you, the members concerns over the issue. The Association has had unprecedented feedback and comments about the subject. At our meeting we agreed on the following points; 1. The decision brings a lack of radio coverage to the bush at a time when the CRL is much neglected by the NRL but is still a heartland of the sport. The exclusivity of the rites gives people in these areas no choice of coverage. 2. Country and city supporters alike, while greatly affected by this decision, were not consulted and believe should have been and many are angry. 3. The decision appears to have been made on the basis of an additional $200,000 for the rites. What price do you put on giving people choice. 4. Our Association believes it can bring something positive to the table on issues such as this, by helping the NRL and other organizations by consulting with supporters on such issues. We have also sent a letter to Mr Terry Quinn of the CRL to offer our support as an association on this matter. If you have any feedback, comments or views please don’t hesitate to contact the Association by email or phone. ************************************************************************************************************* 30th September 2006 Reply to NRL concerning Sunday Finals We thanked the NRL for their quick response, but after meeting with members to discuss this issue we decided that the answer given to us was not satisfactory. We as an association firmly believe that Rugby League belongs to the people and as such fans and volunteers views should be listened to before changes and decisions are made to our game, and we urge the league to rethink their decision. *********************************************************************************************************** 24th September 2006 Reply from NRL concerning No Sunday Finals From Mr John Brady Director of Media and Communications The decision to move the week two and three finals matches to Friday and Saturday was made in December 2005. It was widely distributed at the time and has been a part of finals schedules throughout the year. The move was widely supported by the clubs because of attendance patterns witnessed in recent years. We realise that it represents a change for many fans and it is one that we will certainly monitor. However the increasing audiences that have built around evening football matches both at grounds and through television have demonstrated the need for sports to test the notion of ‘traditional’ time slots. Just as society’s lifestyle changes have turned Saturday afternoon from being a football day to a virtual work day for many people, sports have had to in turn accept the need to adapt their scheduling accordingly. Increasingly evening matches have proven to be the ones most accessible to the most number of fans. The evidence for this has been the attendance patterns themselves. It is an area of debate however and it is something that we will continue to monitor closely. ********************************************************************************************************* 12th September 2006 No Sunday day finals It has come to our attention that the NRL has decided to do away with the Sunday day finals in the second week of the final series. We have sent a letter to the NRL outlining our concerns of this matter. We believe this to be a backward step as we consider Sundays to be a family day and such give parents the opportunity to take their children to see their hero’s and encourage them to support rugby league and perhaps one day play the game. We request an explanation as to the reasons the NRL has made such a decision. As ardent supporters and volunteers of the game we believe we are deserving of an explanation. ******************************************************************************************************** 28th July 2006 The passing of Mr Ray Stellar It is with regret that I inform all members of the passing of Mr Ray Stellar. Ray was the founding member of the Association. Without his work and dedication this Association wouldn’t have got off the ground. Ray will be sadly missed, not only by this Association but Wentworthville Football Club where he worked for the club for many years, a volunteer in the true sense of the word. His passing is a great loss for Rugby League as a whole. ******************************************************************************************************** 17th June 2005 A Voice for Rugby League Supporters and Voluntary Workers** This Association has recently been incorporated and was formed by the supporters of our wonderful game of Rugby League, who feel there is no forum available for them where they can express their concerns regarding their opinions and thoughts on issues relative to the game. There has been no avenue for addressing these concerns in a united voice to the governing bodies be it either direct or via the media. We are a group dedicated in presenting supporters concerns in a clear and concise manner on all or any issues on the game we love from the grass roots through to Junior League, C.R.L, N.S.W.R.L, Q.R.L and the N.R.L, whether the issues be controversial or otherwise. The supporter and voluntary worker (i.e. Junior Team Coaches and Managers etc.) is one of our greatest assets the game has and it is time he/she was heard. We invite anyone to join us but stress that our main agenda is “Our Game” and all matters appertaining to it rather than individual club loyalties. We are not and will not be affiliated with any other body. Membership Fee: $10.00 joining fee thereafter $5.00 per year.