Australian Rugby League

The Australian Rugby League (ARL) is the governing body for the sport of Rugby League in Australia. It is made up of state bodies, including the New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL) and the Queensland Rugby League (QRL). The ARL Board comprises three members from the NSWRL, three members from the QRL and a chairman who holds the casting vote. The current ARL chairman is Colin Love.

History

1924-1994: Control of international matters

The Australian Rugby League Board of Control (later the Australian Rugby League) was formed in December 1924 to administer the running of the national team. George Ball was the first secretary of the Baord and John La Maro the first chairman. Prior to this time, international rugby league was organised by the NSWRL and the QRL. It was only after this time that the Australian team began to wear the now familiar sporting colours of Green and Gold.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Until 1984 the ARL was run by the NSWRL, and many Queensland players and adminstrators throughout this period believed that the NSWRL used this power to the detriment of Queenslanders, especially with respect to national team selection. Ken Arthurson was the first executive chairman of the separate secretariete.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1995-1997: Control of the first grade competition

In 1995 the ARL took control of the Winfield Cup competition from the NSWRL, following the inclusion of teams from Perth, Townsville and Auckland. The Sydney-centric administration of the NSWRL and ARL competitions had for many years frustrated the Brisbane Broncos, a club from Queensland. Kerry Packer's announcement that he owned both free-to-air and pay television broadcasting rights for the sport was the catalyst News Limited to create a rival competition, Super League (Australia). Both competitions ran in parallel in 1997. Despite the financial clout of both News Limited and Optus (the ARL's principal backer), it was not viable to run two competitions and the National Rugby League was formed from the ARL and Super League competitions.

Related Topics:
1995 - Perth - Townsville - Auckland - Brisbane Broncos - Kerry Packer - News Limited - Super League (Australia) - 1997 - Optus - National Rugby League

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

1998-present

Today the ARL is responsible for administering the State of Origin competition, the New South Wales City-Country competition and the national team, the Kangaroos.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~