NSWRL One State Strategic Plan

28th September 2020

The NSWRL has announced an exciting new football competition blueprint for Rugby League across the state which will bring the game in regional NSW and the Sydney metropolitan area closer together and set it up for even further success into the future. The One State NSWRL Strategic Plan (competitions), which has been a work in progress since the NSWRL and the CRL came together in October last year, has looked at how Rugby League could be administered more efficiently across NSW to increase recruitment and retention of all participants.

"The NSWRL is passionate about all forms of the game in NSW from our successful State of Origin programs; regional and Sydney competitions; women’s Rugby League; community programs and grassroots football," said NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden. "The opportunity to come together with the CRL at the end of 2019 presented us with a unique chance to have a look at the way Rugby League was being administered across the state and to determine if there were any areas where it could potentially be improved. I’m extremely proud of all the hard work that has been done by the NSWRL in producing the ‘One State NSWRL Strategic Plan’ for our football competitions and I look forward to its implementation and the benefits it will deliver to all our participants across the state."

The objectives of the strategic plan (competitions) includes:

  • Increase recruitment and retention;
  • Increase the number of officials at grassroots level;
  • Enhanced competition and development pathways for women and girls;
  • Clearly defined competition pathway with minimum standards of delivery;
  • Restructure of the state into six zones and associated region which preserve historical structures but create more efficient competition possibilities;
  • Creation of a statewide Ron Massey Cup competition.

    There will also be an age change for junior representative competitions next season with Jersey Flegg moving to Under 21s, SG Ball and the Harvey Norman Tarsha Gale Cup to Under 19s and Harold Matthews to Under 17s.

    The Laurie Daley Cup will remain Under 18s and the Andrew Johns Cup Under 16s for both regional NSW competitions.

    The restructure of the state into six zones, which are all approximately equal in size for participation numbers, will promote a competitive balance, reduce travel times for younger age groups, and will allow for more efficient and consistent governance structures. The creation of a statewide Ron Massey Cup competition follows the success of the Presidents Cup competition this season, which involved teams from regional NSW and the Sydney metropolitan area. The NSWRL is in the process of canvassing expressions of interest for the Ron Massey Cup for 2021 with the competition structure to determined once that is complete. The Kaiviti Silktails from Fiji are a confirmed starter and contingency plans have already been devised to deal with any travel restrictions due to COVID-19.

    "This season has thrown up plenty of challenges but there have also been plenty of highlights to go with it," said Trodden. "The One State NSWRL Strategic Plan for our competitions provides our organisation with a strong platform to move forward and I’m confident it will guarantee even further success for the future."

    QRL 2021 Pathway Changes

    19th October 2020

    The Queensland Rugby League will maintain its statewide footprint in 2021 following an extensive strategic review to support and enhance player development and pathways across Queensland. A desire to increase the number of Queensland-eligible players, coaches and referees in national men’s and women’s competitions was central to the review process, which comes during a challenging period for many sports affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. QRL managing director Robert Moore said the game was in a healthy position to move forward and set itself up for the future after lengthy consultation with stakeholders across the code.

    "The objectives of the review were to clarify roles and responsibilities of groups that presently organise and deliver activity to participants aged 13 to 18," Moore said. "We’ve also focused on the current climate, and the need to identify cost-effective approaches, while also removing duplication where possible. "This is about raising the bar in terms of support for players, referees and coaches."

    Key outcomes include the Intrust Super and women’s BHP Premiership continuing in a statewide format with one underpinning age group.

  • The Intrust Super Cup will now be played over 19 rounds, while the Hastings Deering Colts will be contested over 16 rounds and will cater for under 21 players following a decision to extend the age of participants by a year. This move took into account numerous supporting factors, including the logic that the added year of experience and maturity will boost the performance of players who are called into the Intrust Super Cup.
  • Intrust Super Cup clubs will be responsible for under 16 and under 18 player development within their agreed catchment areas, while regions and local leagues will be primarily responsible for the delivery of development opportunities for under 13s to 15s.

    The review recommendations will also result in changes from the under 13 to under 18 male pathway as follows:

  • The Auswide Bank Mal Meninga Cup (under 18) competition will feature six rounds within four regional conferences. Semi-finals and finals will be held.
  • An under 16 competition will align to the under 18 competitions, except that teams will play three matches with no finals. These games will replace the four-day State Junior carnival.
  • A City v Country development week will be added to the representative calendar with a game on Intrust Super Cup grand final day (age group TBC)
  • QRL regions in collaboration with affiliated local leagues will launch a new program offering from 2021 for aspiring under 13 to under 15 boys and girls. The local league programs will adopt content developed by the NRL’s RISE team and focus on core skills, socio-emotional development and physical foundations. The programs will include competitive fixtures amongst participants and will replace regional and state under 14 male and female carnivals previously held.

    Likewise, the recommendations will result in changes from the under 13 to under 18 female pathway as follows:

  • An Under 19 women's statewide competition will be played within regional conferences in 2021 to complement the BHP premiership that launched in 2020. Teams will play three matches.
  • An Under 17 competition, to be based on events planned for this year, will take place with three regional carnivals held. No state carnival will be held.
  • A City v Country development week will be added to the representative calendar with a game on Intrust Super Cup grand final day (Age group TBC)
  • QRL regions in collaboration with affiliated local leagues will launch a new program offering from 2021 for aspiring under 13 to under 15 boys and girls. The local league programs will adopt content developed by the NRL’s RISE team and focus on core skills, socio-emotional development and physical foundations. The programs will include competitive fixtures amongst participants and will replace regional and state under 14 male and female carnivals previously held.

    Moore said the game had also taken a collaborative approach to representative and school football in conjunction with Intrust Super Cup clubs and Queensland Secondary Schools Rugby League, with a view to ease the demands around playing and training. He said all Intrust Super Cup clubs would align to deliver a network of club academies for under 16 and under 18 men, as well as under 19 women, with support from regions and leagues where needed in season 2021. Academies will use the QRL’s athlete management system to coordinate activities and provide players and coaches with information to support their development.

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