A VISION FOR THE FUTURE ANNUAL REPORT 2015 NSWRL ANNUAL REPORT 2015 CONTENTS Highlights 2 Chairman’s Report 6 CEO’s Report 8 Board of Directors 10 Key Figures 12 01 FOOTBALL IN 2015 16 State of Origin 18 Other Representative Football 22 NSWRL Senior Competitions 26 NSWRL Junior Competitions 34 02 OUR COMMUNITY 38 Community Football 40 Community Programs 42 Media Coverage 44 03 RECORDS IN 2015 46 Honour Roll 48 04 FINANCIALS IN 2015 56 Financials 58 Our Partners 72 1 « HIGHLIGHTS 2015 HIGHLIGHTS FEBRUARY APRIL MAY MAY JUNE JUNE JULY HOGS FOR THE NSW TRUE AAMI COUNTRY- CRONULLA STATE OF NSW WOMEN’S NATIONS HOMELESS BLUES LAUNCH CITY CLASH SHARKS JUNIOR ORIGIN II, INTERSTATE OF ORIGIN DOMINATION MCG CHALLENGE The NSWRL Hogs for the Introduction of the NSW A sell-out crowd of 9,127 The club wins both the The NSW VB Blues claim NSW registers a courageous The Nations of Origin Homeless program raises True Blues Alumni Program, attends the annual fixture Under-16s and 18s a memorable victory at 4-all draw with Queensland features more than almost $60,000 for Father which pays tribute to all in Wagga Wagga. National Championship, the Melbourne Cricket in Townsville ending 760 players, 62 teams Chris Riley’s Youth Off the of those who have pulled capping off their junior Ground (MCG), breaking an their dominant run of and 60 matches in two Streets organisation. on the sky blue jersey representative success in Origin record, with 91,513 16 consecutive wins. action-packed days to and represented the state the Harold Matthews and attending the match. promote Indigenous of NSW since the first SG Ball competitions. reconciliation and support team ran out in 1907. cultural diversity. » 2 NSWRL Annual Report 2015 3 « HIGHLIGHTS JULY AUGUST AUGUST SEPTEMBER SEPTEMBER NOVEMBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER ALL SCHOOLS STARLIGHT UNITE FOR KURT BRAD FITTLER NSWRL GRAND INDIGENOUS CENTRE OF KARI PARTNER CARNIVAL WISHLEAGUE ROUND MEDAL FINAL DAY YOUNG ACHIEVERS EXCELLENCE OF THE YEAR ROUND TOUR ANNOUNCEMENT 2015 A total of 4000 children More than $21,000 is raised The Unite for Kurt Round NSW VB Blues fullback Newcastle Knights captain A squad of non-elite 2015 will be remembered The NSWRL is honoured from almost 200 schools for the Starlight Children’s held across all NSWRL Josh Dugan claims the Clint Newton finishes his VB Indigenous boys from as a game-changer for all at Kari Aboriginal Resources in the game’s heartland of Foundation Wish Foundation competitions and other prestigious award in front NSW Cup career in the finest Western NSW take part of rugby league in New Incorporated’s (KARI) Western Sydney, St Marys, through NSW competitions. activities by the NSWRL of 650 guests at The Star. fashion with a premiership, in a cultural and rugby South Wales, as the State inaugural Thanking Our attend Australia’s biggest family raises $300,000 while Mounties (Ron Massey league tour of a lifetime Government announces the Partners event, being junior rugby league carnival, for Cabramatta’s Kurt Cup) and Wentworthville to France and Italy. NSWRL’s $20 million Centre named the KARI Partner the annual All Schools event. Drysdale who suffered a Magpies (Sydney Shield) of Excellence at Sydney of the Year 2015. serious spinal injury. also celebrate title glory. Olympic Park in Homebush. » 4 NSWRL Annual Report 2015 5 « CHAIRMAN’S REPORT A RECORD- BREAKING YEAR Although fans will be disappointed even more watching internationally; Reflecting on 2015, we as a Board are by the result of State of Origin, 2015 and the highest social interaction extremely proud of the hard work, was a significant year of achievement on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram dedication and commitment of the on and off the field for the NSWRL. with a global reach of millions. NSWRL staff, which has ensured our If not for a narrow 11-10 loss at game is still the people’s game. Our In addition, a record-breaking crowd home in Game 1, the NSW VB Blues game is and will be open to everyone, of 91,513 fans packed the Melbourne would have won back-to-back Origin with the junior representative Cricket Ground to witness a courageous Shields. However, the NSWRL is competitions, women’s programs, VB Blues win that captured the all about long-term growth and Indigenous representative sides, knock- attention of the nation and spread our success, and significant steps were out tournaments as well as specially “Blueprint” into the state of Victoria. made in achieving those goals. structured competitions for players In a sensational exhibition for our with disabilities, ensuring everyone, One of our biggest responsibilities game, many fans travelled from no matter what age, sex or ability, can as a Board is to ensure a bright interstate with plenty enjoying the best play “The Greatest Game of All”. future for the sport and promote our our game has to showcase at its highest great game and the announcement Thank you to all the staff at NSWRL, level. Our newly acquired membership of a new $20million Centre of the players, coaches, administrators, group, Blatchys Blues, is thriving, Excellence does just that. The new volunteers and supporters, for capturing the hearts of fans proudly “Home of the Blues”, which will be another fantastic season. You are adorning those electric blue wigs and completed at Sydney Olympic Park by the reason rugby league keeps shirts, with a massive 25 per cent the end of 2017, ushering the next getting bigger, and without you increase in attendance this season. generation for rugby league in NSW. none of that would be possible. The new structure for the organisation, The 2015 State of Origin Series result I would like to especially thank my driven by Chief Executive David was tough to wear, but it was the most fellow Board members for their Trodden, has proven to be a great successful and popular series in history dedication and support throughout success. Coupled with the revitalisation with a record attendance of 224,135 at- 2015. I look forward to working with of our pathways programs for ground spectators; a massive television you for another huge season in 2016. junior development under NSW VB audience of 12.813 million making it Blues coach Laurie Daley, the future the most watched Series yet, with Dr George Peponis OAM is very bright for Blues fans. Chairman NSWRL » 6 NSWRL Annual Report 2015 7 « CEO’S REPORT THE FUTURE IS INCREDIBLY BRIGHT While it wasn’t the desired result in Despite the disappointing result of of charities and causes including State of Origin, 2015 will still go down State of Origin III, the NSW Blues can the Hogs for the Homeless program, as a success, marking a significant remain proud of their efforts against raising almost $60,000 for Father year of exciting changes which will arguably the greatest Queensland side Chris Riley’s Youth Off the Streets bear fruit well into the future. NSW of all time. Origin II at the iconic MCG organisation this year. Through NSW fans can eagerly look forward to the in Victoria was a roaring success in competitions, more than $21,000 was new Centre of Excellence announced front of a record crowd of 91,513 fans also raised for the Starlight Children’s as the home of the NSWRL at Sydney and massive television audiences. Next Foundation Wish Foundation. We Olympic Park by the end of 2017, as season we aim to reclaim the Shield welcomed Blatchys Blues to the NSWRL well as be greatly encouraged by the and we can’t wait to ride the blue wave family and they supported our State promise of the continued success of of support at our home ground. of Origin team in record numbers. the NSW Under-20s side and progress The future is certainly bright for Blues Congratulations to our 2015 champion of the Women’s Interstate team. fans, with the NSW Under-20s side teams – Newcastle Knights (VB The $20-million NSWRL Centre of remaining undefeated with their fourth NSW Cup); Mounties (Ron Massey Excellence will be a game-changer consecutive win over their Queensland Cup) and Wentworthville Magpies not just for the NSW Blues, but all of counterparts. Dean Pay’s side earned (Sydney Shield); and Cronulla Sharks rugby league in the state. The NSW a convincing 32-16 victory in the (SG Ball and Harold Matthews). Government is committed to providing curtain-raiser to Origin III in a preview The NSWRL was honoured at Kari the highest quality features to ensure of the next generation of NSW stars. Aboriginal Resources Incorporated’s the longevity and future success of The men weren’t the only ones setting (KARI) inaugural Thanking Our Partners rugby league in this state. The Centre the field alight as the NSW Women’s event, being named the KARI Partner of Excellence will feature a full-size Interstate team made major strides of the Year 2015. The partnership sees training field between the Athletic this season under coach Mathew KARI support the City Origin side as well Centre and ANZ Stadium, and a new Head. NSW carved out a tough 4-all as the Under-16s Indigenous side and building for specialised support draw to end a 16-year long winning the Young Achievers Tour of Europe. facilities and the offices of the NSWRL. streak for the Queenslanders. In closing, I acknowledge the support New South Wales is the historical The 2015 season featured another that our Board provide to everyone home of rugby league in Australia stand-alone Grand Final Day as the in NSWRL, particularly the support of and the Centre of Excellence proposal only live football played in Sydney for the Chairman Dr George Peponis OAM.