2013 A YEAR OF BRINGING PEOPLE TOGETHER NRL ANNUAL REPORT Excellence Inclusiveness Courage Teamwork Intro: Success on and off the field 2 Chairman: Engaging and respected � � � � � � 4 CEO: Positioned for growth � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 6 Dynamic and fast football � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 10 New levels of participation � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 16 State leagues leading the way � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 20 Engaging our fans � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 26 Financials and governance � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 32 Integrity and Compliance Unit � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 41 Corporate governance � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 42 CONTENTSARLC concise financial report � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 44 Appendix: Linking to the Annual Report � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � �56 Partners� � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � � 58 Photos courtesy of Action Photographics, Melba Studios, Getty Images, Newspix and SMP Images� NRL.COM | 2 NRL.COM | 1 SUCCESS ON AND OFF THE FIELD IN 2013 THE NRL ENJOYED GREAT SUCCESS BOTH LOCALLY AND ON THE INTERNATIONAL STAGE. OUR KANGAROOS AND JILLAROOS WERE BOTH VICTORIOUS IN THEIR WORLD CUPS – WITH BOTH TEAMS LIKELY TO BE REMEMBERED AS TWO OF THE BEST EVER. At the domestic level, the NRL Telstra Premiership culminated in one of the best Grand Final weeks in years, with the victorious Sydney Roosters defeating the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles to win the Provan Summons Trophy. The Holden State of Origin Series, won by Queensland for the eighth consecutive time, once again attracted record-breaking crowds and television ratings. A YEAR OF BUILDING A STRONG FUTURE OFF THE FIELD A new strategic approach Building a secure future Responding to challenges Where we’re headed Off the field, the NRL refined the A series of targeted initiatives The game has taken decisive action Rugby League is in a uniquely strong whole-of-game strategic agenda as we throughout 2014 and 2015 will help regarding issues raised in the position. With whole of game leadership worked to grow the game at every level deliver a better football experience, Australian Crime Commission from the Commission and a unified and create a bigger Rugby League increase participation and build a Organised Crime and Drugs in Sport strategic focus we have put stronger community – one that even more stronger fan and membership culture. report – and the subsequent foundations in place. We are working Australians are proud to belong to. We’ve also put in place important anti-doping investigation conducted effectively with our Clubs and State financial and governance platforms by ASADA. With our Integrity and Leagues as we enter a new era of growth across the game. In addition, we’ve taken Compliance Unit, we have implemented that will make the game the strongest steps to maximise the opportunities stronger risk management practices and healthiest it has ever been. accompanying our broadcast rights deal. to better protect the game in future. NRL.COM | 2 NRL.COM | 3 ENGAGING AND RESPECTED JOHN GRANT | ARLC CHAIRMAN THE VISION SET BY THE AUSTRALIAN RUGBY LEAGUE COMMISSION TO BE THE MOST ENTERTAINING, ENGAGING AND RESPECTED SPORT IN AUSTRALIA STARTED TO BECOME A REALITY IN 2013. It is now two years since the 16 NRL people to lead the administration of transparent deliberations on issues Clubs and State Leagues made the the game, and putting in place the on and off the field. This is our courageous decision to restructure the longer term strategic foundations commitment to align our values administration of Rugby League and necessary to support our great game with the community’s values. establish the Commission under which into the future. they believed our game could best While it’s true that more time and prosper and secure its future. The quality and excitement of sustained focus is required to achieve Rugby League, from the NRL Telstra the targets set through our strategic Having boosted revenue significantly Premiership right through to the Rugby plan, the Commission has every through the biggest media rights League World Cup, which Australia confidence they can be achieved. agreement in the game’s history and won convincingly, surpassed the with strong growth in non-broadcast expectations of most of us. I want to thank all our Commissioners revenues, steps have been taken to for the way in which they’ve applied put the whole of game on a strong And we’re getting smarter about their experience, expertise and footing for the future. connecting with our fans. Whether knowledge to assist Dave and his team that’s through club memberships, meet the challenge of delivering the Under the stewardship of the social media, participation or television best possible future for the Game. Commissioners and CEO Dave Smith, audiences, we are engaging new I also want to thank the 16 NRL Clubs we hope our stakeholders are already markets and broadening our and the State Leagues, for their seeing the NRL become a more supporter base. support and the robust engagement professional, competent and needed to ensure the best outcomes. transparent organisation. Equally, we’re starting to see the critical importance of the game’s Wherever I go people want to talk In 2013, Dave’s focus has been on reputation with stakeholders and about Rugby League and we want pursuing the performance targets partners. The new Integrity and their experience to be in line with we’d set, meeting our challenges Compliance Unit has strengthened the the vision we have. Our job is to consistently and transparently, game’s risk management capabilities make this the reality. bringing together the right team of and continues to conduct fair and Australian Rugby League Commission Ian Elliot Peter Gregg Catherine Harris Wayne Pearce Graeme Samuel Dr. Chris Sarra Jeremy Sutcliffe AO PSM OAM NRL.COM | 4 NRL.COM | 5 POSITIONED FOR GROWTH DAVE SMITH | NRL CHIEF EXECUTIVE 2013 HAS SEEN US TAKE SIGNIFICANT STRIDES TOWARDS OUR GOALS OF SECURING A STRONGER FUTURE FOR RUGBY LEAGUE AND ENSURING OUR STAKEHOLDERS SHARE IN THE SUCCESS OF THE GAME. WITH NEW GOVERNANCE AND FUNDING MODELS, TOGETHER WITH A CLEARER SET OF STRATEGIC PRIORITIES, RUGBY LEAGUE IS NOW TRULY POSITIONED FOR GROWTH. The media rights deal delivered A Club and State Services Unit has transparency. We strengthened a fundamental shift to the game’s been established with the aim of our executive functions and financial position. For the first time we providing the Clubs and State Leagues established a highly competent team are in a position to invest in the game with access to best-practice in business, with clearer lines of responsibility. at all levels, to work more effectively governance and strategy, allowing us Together the new team refined the with the NRL Clubs and State Leagues to to collectively build initiatives to share game’s strategic agenda and will drive strengthen and grow their businesses, costs and ideas that help us work a dedicated focus on three key areas: to increase the proportion of our towards a more sustainable future. non-broadcast revenues to provide football and participation; resilience and security into the future, Game development remains at the core fans and members; and and to invest in the capabilities of the of our plans and we continue to make a financial security and governance. NRL team so that we can take advantage strong investment into supporting growth at the grassroots level with of the significant opportunities the game Over the next four years our $22.6 million spent developing the has for the future. investments will be targeted across game in local communities this year. these three important areas. Whilst the We have cemented our new funding full investment strategy will emerge in model which ensures that all revenue We’ve also invested in growing non 2014, we have now spent or committed generated by the media rights deal will broadcast revenues, capability and to investments more than $25 million be wholly invested back into the game: governance, including measures such to: grow fans and members; support into NRL Clubs; into State Leagues; as establishing the new Integrity and and develop elite pathways; and into Game Development activities in Compliance Unit. strengthen the capabilities of schools and local communities; and The growth in revenue in 2013, after our Clubs and State Leagues. into the game’s strategic priorities. funding, expenses and the increase in But this is just the start, we have an One of the first steps we took was to grants to the Clubs and State Leagues ambitious target to become the largest agree a new Collective Bargaining resulted in $49.6 million available for sporting community in Australia and Agreement with the Rugby League strategic investment in the future of our growth targets by 2017 are: Players Association to make sure that the game. Investments are managed through a strategic priorities fund and players were recognised for the skills and double club membership to are targeted at the delivery