Rugby League Players Association: Difference between revisions
Content deleted Content added
→RLPA Board of Directors: rmv elinks |
GreenC bot (talk | contribs) Move 1 url. Wayback Medic 2.5 per WP:URLREQ#theherald.com.au |
||
| (43 intermediate revisions by 23 users not shown) | |||
| Line 1: | Line 1: | ||
{{EngvarB|date=June 2018}} |
|||
{{Infobox Union|<!-- Please include all unused fields for future use. See [[template talk:Infobox Union]] for usage. --> |
|||
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2018}} |
|||
|name= RLPA |
|||
{{Infobox organization |
|||
|country= [[Australia]] |
|||
| name = RLPA |
|||
|members= 480 |
|||
| location_country= Australia |
|||
|full_name= Rugby League Players Association |
|||
| members = 600+ |
|||
|native_name= |
|||
| full_name = Rugby League Players Association |
|||
|image= RLPA Logo.png |
|||
| native_name = |
|||
|founded= 1979 |
|||
| image = RLPA-logo---POS.png |
|||
|current= |
|||
| founded = 1979 |
|||
|head= |
|||
| dissolved = |
|||
|dissolved_date= |
|||
| merged = |
|||
|dissolved_state= |
|||
| headquarters = [[Balmain, New South Wales]] |
|||
|merged_into= |
|||
| key_people = [[Daly Cherry-Evans]], General President<br>[[Clint Newton]], CEO |
|||
|office= [[Sydney Olympic Park, New South Wales]] |
|||
| website = [http://rlpa.com.au www.rlpa.com.au] |
|||
|people= [[Cameron Smith]], General President |
|||
| footnotes = |
|||
[[Ian Prendergast]], CEO |
|||
|website= [http://rlpa.com.au http://rlpa.com.au] |
|||
|footnotes= |
|||
}} |
}} |
||
The '''Rugby League Players Association''' |
The '''Rugby League Players Association''' is a representative organisation based in Australia. The RLPA, as it is more commonly referred to, is the representative body of elite rugby league players, protecting and promoting the welfare and interests of its members. |
||
Formerly the Rugby League Professionals Association, the company changed its name in 2009. |
Formerly the Rugby League Professionals Association, the company changed its name in 2009. |
||
== |
==Structure== |
||
The RLPA is not a registered union; the RLPA receives $3 million from the NRL each year to run its operation, and NRL players do not pay fees to be part of the association.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Nicolussi |first1=Christian |title=NRL considers cutting funding to players' union as pay battle rages on |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-considers-cutting-funding-to-players-union-as-pay-battle-rages-on-20230728-p5ds3l.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=29 July 2023 |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref> |
|||
Former [[Newcastle Knights]] captain [[Tony Butterfield]] was appointed RLPA CEO in 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rlpa.com.au/rlpa-history/|title=RLPA History - RLPA|work=RLPA|access-date=2017-12-04|language=en-US}}</ref> |
|||
===Leadership=== |
|||
Former [[Western Reds]] and [[Penrith Panthers]] player [[Matthew Rodwell]] served as CEO for a brief period up until 2009.<ref>{{Cite journal|date=2017-07-23|title=Matthew Rodwell|url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Matthew_Rodwell&oldid=791936038|journal=Wikipedia|language=en}}</ref> |
|||
Former [[Newcastle Knights]] captain [[Tony Butterfield]] was appointed RLPA CEO in 2000.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rlpa.com.au/rlpa-history/|title=RLPA History |work=RLPA|access-date=4 December 2017}}</ref> |
|||
Former [[Western Reds]] and [[Penrith Panthers]] player [[Matthew Rodwell]] served as CEO for a brief period up until 2009.{{citation needed|date=October 2017}}<!-- WP:RS needed; removed link to WP--> |
|||
In 2009, David Garnsey took the reins as Chief Executive Officer through until 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/rugby-league-players-association-ceo-david-garnsey-resigns-after-vote-of-no-confidence/news-story/b6cb1b9a06c3c4ec8f97b42abcf65910|title=RLPA boss resigns after no confidence vote|access-date=2017-12-04|language=en}}</ref> |
|||
In 2009, David Garnsey took the reins as chief executive officer through until 2015.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/rugby-league-players-association-ceo-david-garnsey-resigns-after-vote-of-no-confidence/news-story/b6cb1b9a06c3c4ec8f97b42abcf65910|title=RLPA boss resigns after no confidence vote|access-date=4 December 2017}}</ref> |
|||
In December 2015, former [[Carlton Football Club]] player and [[AFL Players Association|AFLPA]] General Manager of Player Relations [[Ian Prendergast]] was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the RLPA.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/new-rlpa-boss-ian-prendergast-says-hell-make-union-as-strong-as-aflpa-20151201-glcq96.html|title=New RLPA boss Ian Prendergast says he'll make union as strong as AFLPA|last=Proszenko|first=Adrian|date=2015-12-01|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|access-date=2017-12-04|language=en-US}}</ref> |
|||
In December 2015, former [[Carlton Football Club]] player and [[AFL Players Association|AFLPA]] general manager of Player Relations [[Ian Prendergast]] was appointed chief executive officer of the RLPA.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/league-news/new-rlpa-boss-ian-prendergast-says-hell-make-union-as-strong-as-aflpa-20151201-glcq96.html|title=New RLPA boss Ian Prendergast says he'll make union as strong as AFLPA|last=Proszenko|first=Adrian|date=1 December 2015|work=[[Sydney Morning Herald]]|access-date=4 December 2017}}</ref> |
|||
In 2017, [[Australia national rugby league team|Australian]], [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] and [[Melbourne Storm]] captain [[Cameron Smith]] was appointed General President of the RLPA, taking over from [[Clint Newton]] who continued with the organisation in the role of General Manager of Player Relations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rlpa.com.au/profiles/cameron-smith/|title=Cameron Smith - RLPA|work=RLPA|access-date=2017-12-04|language=en-US}}</ref> |
|||
In 2017, [[Australia national rugby league team|Australian]], [[Queensland rugby league team|Queensland]] and [[Melbourne Storm]] captain [[Cameron Smith (rugby league, born 1983)|Cameron Smith]] was appointed General President of the RLPA, taking over from [[Clint Newton]] who continued with the organisation in the role of general manager of Player Relations.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.rlpa.com.au/profiles/cameron-smith/|title=Cameron Smith |work=RLPA|access-date=4 December 2017}}</ref> |
|||
=== RLPA Board of Directors === |
|||
The current RLPA Board of Directors consists of 11 individuals. [[Adam Blair]] and [[Eloni Vunakece]] were the most recent additions, joining the group in August 2017.[https://www.rlpa.com.au/blair-vunakece-join-rlpa-board/] |
|||
In 2020, Prendergast departed the RLPA and Newton was appointed chief executive officer.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Proszenko|first=Adrian|date=2020-03-20|title=Clint Newton appointed new player's union boss|url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/clint-newton-appointed-new-player-s-union-boss-20200320-p54cb4.html|access-date=2020-12-09|website=The Sydney Morning Herald|language=en}}</ref> |
|||
* Russell Adams (Chair) |
|||
* [[Cameron Smith]] (General President) |
|||
=== RLPA board of directors === |
|||
* [[Ian Prendergast]] (CEO and Managing Director) |
|||
The current RLPA board of Directors consists of players and industry professionals. The most recent additions were Josh Hodgson, Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Stuart Nelson, and Joanne Taylor during 2022.<ref name="Hodgson elected to RLPA Board">{{Cite web|date=2022-03-23|title=Hodgson elected to RLPA Board|url=https://www.rlpa.com.au/josh-hodgson-rlpa-board-election/|access-date=2022-09-07|website=RLPA|language=en-AU}}</ref> |
|||
* [[Deidre Anderson]] |
|||
* Deidre Anderson (chair) |
|||
* [[Adam Blair]] |
|||
* [[Daly Cherry-Evans]] (General President) |
|||
* [[Jeremy Latimore]] |
|||
* [[Clint Newton]] (CEO and managing director) |
|||
* [[James Maloney (rugby league)|James Maloney]] |
|||
* Chelsea Lenarduzzi |
|||
* [[Tim Mannah]] |
|||
* |
* Pippa Leary |
||
*[[Wade Graham]] |
|||
* Joseph Sponholz |
|||
* |
*[[Josh Hodgson]] |
||
*[[Hannah Southwell]]<ref name="Hodgson elected to RLPA Board"/> |
|||
* Christian Welch |
|||
* Steven Harker AM<ref name="Hodgson elected to RLPA Board"/> |
|||
* Stuart Nelson<ref name="Compass Group MD joins RLPA Board">{{Cite web|date=2022-03-08|title=Compass Group MD joins RLPA Board|url=https://www.rlpa.com.au/joanne-taylor-rlpa-board/|access-date=2022-09-07|website=RLPA|language=en-AU}}</ref> |
|||
* Joanne Taylor<ref name="Compass Group MD joins RLPA Board"/> |
|||
== The Players' Champion == |
== The Players' Champion == |
||
The Rugby League Players' Association's annual awards ceremony, The Players' Champion, recognises the best player in the [[National Rugby League]] as voted by their peers. |
The Rugby League Players' Association's annual awards ceremony, The Players' Champion, recognises the best player in the [[National Rugby League]] as voted by their peers. |
||
Four-time winner of |
Four-time winner of the award [[Johnathan Thurston]], described the Players' Champion as "the highest accolade a player can get."<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.newcastleherald.com.au/story/4161817/rugby-league-players-champions-awards-photos-live-blog-poll/|title=Rugby League Players' Champions Awards {{!}} photos, live blog, poll|last=Callinan|first=Josh|date=13 September 2016|work=[[Newcastle Herald]]|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> |
||
In 2019, the first Players' Champion accolade was awarded to an NRLW player, with Jessica Sergis taking out the inaugural honour.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.rlpa.com.au/players-champion-rlpa-awards/ | title=The Players' Champion Awards | date=22 November 2023 }}</ref> |
|||
* 2017 [[James Tedesco]] |
|||
=== Previous winners === |
|||
* 2016 [[Jason Taumalolo]] |
|||
{{Col-begin}} |
|||
* 2015 [[Johnathan Thurston]] |
|||
{{Col-2}} |
|||
* 2014 Johnathan Thurston |
|||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |
|||
* 2013 Johnathan Thurston |
|||
|+ |
|||
* 2012 [[Ben Barba]] |
|||
! width="50" |Season |
|||
* 2011 [[Akuila Uate]] |
|||
! width="180" |Player's Champion (NRL) |
|||
* 2010 [[Darius Boyd]] |
|||
! width="250" |Club |
|||
* 2009 [[Jarryd Hayne]] |
|||
|- |
|||
* 2008 [[Braith Anasta]] & [[Petero Civoniceva]] |
|||
! [[2004 NRL season|2004]] |
|||
* 2007 [[Matt Bowen]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Danny|Buderus}} |
|||
* 2006 [[Ben Kennedy]] |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} [[Newcastle Knights]] |
|||
* 2005 Johnathan Thurston |
|||
|- |
|||
* 2004 [[Danny Buderus]] |
|||
! [[2005 NRL season|2005]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Johnathan|Thurston}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2006 NRL season|2006]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Ben|Kennedy|dab=rugby league}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2007 NRL season|2007]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Matt|Bowen}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! rowspan=2|[[2008 NRL season|2008]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Braith|Anasta}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Easts|16}} [[Sydney Roosters]] |
|||
|- |
|||
| {{sortname|Petero|Civoniceva}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Penrith Panthers]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2009 NRL season|2009]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Jarryd|Hayne}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Parramatta|16}} [[Parramatta Eels]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2010 NRL season|2010]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Darius|Boyd}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2011 NRL season|2011]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Akuila|Uate}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} [[Newcastle Knights]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2012 NRL season|2012]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Ben|Barba}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Canterbury|16}} [[Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2013 NRL season|2013]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Johnathan|Thurston}} (2) |
|||
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2014 NRL season|2014]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Johnathan|Thurston}} (3) |
|||
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2015 NRL season|2015]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Johnathan|Thurston}} (4) |
|||
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2016 NRL season|2016]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Jason|Taumalolo}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|North Queensland|16}} [[North Queensland Cowboys]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2017 NRL season|2017]] |
|||
| {{sortname|James|Tedesco}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Easts|16}} [[Sydney Roosters]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2018 NRL season|2018]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Kalyn|Ponga}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Newcastle|16}} [[Newcastle Knights]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2019 NRL season|2019]] |
|||
| {{sortname|James|Tedesco}} (2) |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Easts|16}} [[Sydney Roosters]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2020 NRL season|2020]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Nathan|Cleary}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Penrith|16}} [[Penrith Panthers]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2021 NRL season|2021]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Tom|Trbojevic}} |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Manly|16}} [[Manly Warringah Sea Eagles]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2022 NRL season|2022]] |
|||
| {{sortname|James|Tedesco}} (3)<ref name=2022award>{{cite web |title=McGregor and Tedesco the Players' Champions |url=https://www.rlpa.com.au/2022-players-champion-tedesco-mcgregor/ |website=Rugby League Player's Association |date=2 October 2022 |access-date=4 October 2022}}</ref> |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Easts|16}} [[Sydney Roosters]] |
|||
|- |
|||
|} |
|||
{{Col-2}} |
|||
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;" |
|||
|+ |
|||
! width="50" |Season |
|||
! width="180" |Player's Champion (NRLW) |
|||
! width="250" |Club |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2019 NRL Women's season|2019]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Jessica|Sergis}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=McDonald |first1=Margie |title=Players Champ Sergis on where her aggression comes from |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2019/10/15/players-champ-sergis-on-where-her-aggression-comes-from/ |website=NRL.com |access-date=4 October 2022 |date=15 October 2019}}</ref> |
|||
| {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2020 NRL Women's season|2020]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Hannah|Southwell}}<ref>{{cite web |last1=Churches |first1=Matt |title=Roosters youngster Hannah Southwell voted RLPA NRLW Players' Champion |url=https://wwos.nine.com.au/nrl/roosters-hannah-southwell-voted-rlpa-nrlw-players-champion/5cab1cb4-370a-4276-a33e-5a5a2c4f1df6 |website=Nine's Wide World of Sport |publisher=Nine Media |access-date=4 October 2022 |date=25 October 2020}}</ref> |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Easts|16}} [[Sydney Roosters]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2021 NRL Women's season|2021]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Emma|Tonegato}}<ref>{{cite web |title=Tonegato named RLPA Players' Champion |url=https://www.dragons.com.au/news/2022/04/11/tonegato-named-rlpa-players--champion/ |website=dragons.com.au |access-date=4 October 2022 |date=11 April 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Players crown their Champion |url=https://www.rlpa.com.au/nrlw-players-champion-tonegato/ |website=Rugby League Player's Association |access-date=4 October 2022 |date=10 April 2022}}</ref> |
|||
| {{leagueicon|St George|16}} [[St. George Illawarra Dragons]] |
|||
|- |
|||
! [[2022 NRL Women's season|2022]] |
|||
| {{sortname|Raecene|McGregor}}<ref name=2022award/> |
|||
| {{leagueicon|Easts|16}} [[Sydney Roosters]] |
|||
|- |
|||
|} |
|||
{{Col-end}} |
|||
== Collective Bargaining Agreement == |
== Collective Bargaining Agreement == |
||
In November 2017, the RLPA negotiated a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the [[National Rugby League]] that secured the biggest pay increase for players in the game's 109-year history.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-rugby-league-players-association-confirm-new-fiveyear-cba/news-story/3351150de48946a95858089f4585fac7|title=NRL reaches $1 |
In November 2017, the RLPA negotiated a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the [[National Rugby League]] that secured the biggest pay increase for players in the game's 109-year history.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-rugby-league-players-association-confirm-new-fiveyear-cba/news-story/3351150de48946a95858089f4585fac7|title=NRL reaches $1 billion peace deal|access-date=4 December 2017}}</ref> |
||
The new CBA deal captures a range of employment related clauses for a five |
The new CBA deal captures a range of employment related clauses for a five-year period, beginning in 2018 through until 2022. |
||
In a show of unity and solidarity behind the RLPA in the ongoing negotiations, NRL players wore branded caps throughout [[State of Origin]] press conferences and green tape in Round 21 of the 2017 season. RLPA CEO Ian Prendergast stated it |
In a show of unity and solidarity behind the RLPA in the ongoing negotiations, NRL players wore branded caps throughout [[State of Origin]] press conferences and green tape in Round 21 of the 2017 season. RLPA CEO Ian Prendergast stated it "was no secret players had become increasingly frustrated" by negotiations. "They want to stand up, use their voice and demonstrate their solidarity across the weekend to get this deal over the line so we can deliver certainty in the industry."<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/nrl/rlpa-goes-green-players-plan-onfield-protest-against-nrl-as-pay-war-heats-up/news-story/62d17ad319b663328b7d69775efd4ed1|title=Subscribe to the Daily Telegraph|website=[[Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|location=Australia|access-date=6 December 2017}}</ref> |
||
The concluding months of the CBA, and the passage of its deadline in November 2022, saw increasing tensions between the NRL and the RLPA. Although the NRL and RLPA had agreed to an increase in player payments of 37%, with $1.35bn to be designated to players between 2023 and 2027, the two parties were at odds regarding a number of issues regarding working conditions and control of funds, including access to and ownership of personal and medical player data, allocation of funds to the RLPA’s programs, the length of the season, minimum wages, insurance for death and total disability, the ability of players to negotiate with other clubs, payments for international matches, and autonomy over union funding.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Danckert a |first1=Sarah |last2=Pengilly |first2=Adam |title=League players ramp up pay deal campaign with pleas to sponsors |url=https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/league-players-ramp-up-pay-deal-campaign-with-pleas-to-sponsors-20230803-p5dtm8.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=3 August 2023 |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Samios |first1=Zoe |title=Trouble at the top as two execs ditch NRL players board |url=https://www.afr.com/companies/sport/trouble-at-the-top-as-two-execs-ditch-nrl-players-board-20230728-p5ds18 |website=Australian Financial Review |date=28 July 2023 |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref> |
|||
As part of the standoff, RLPA members covered up the NRL logo on their jerseys during Round 22's matches, refused to speak to the media on game days, released a video titled Stand With Us aimed at garnering support from fans, sent letters to the club chairs and main sponsors of the clubs and the league to complain about the lack of progress in negotiations and asking for support, as well as threatening to delay match kickoff times and boycott the Dally M Awards ceremony.<ref>{{cite news |title=NRL and players reach pay deal as bitter dispute ends |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2023/aug/10/nrl-and-players-association-reach-pay-deal-as-bitter-dispute-ends |website=The Guardian |date=10 August 2023 |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=REPORT: RLPA CONTEMPLATING DRASTIC NEW STEP IN CBA NEGOTIATIONS |url=https://www.sen.com.au/news/2023/07/29/report-rlpa-contemplating-drastic-new-step-in-cba-negotiations/ |website=SEN |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pengilly |first1=Adam |title=NRL players back down on covering logo as future protests planned |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/nrl-players-back-down-on-covering-logo-as-future-protests-planned-20230802-p5dtd8.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=2 August 2023 |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Pengilly |first1=Adam |last2=Chammas |first2=Michael |title=Dally M boycott threat: NRL stars up the ante in industrial dispute |url=https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/dally-m-boycott-threat-nrl-stars-up-the-ante-in-industrial-dispute-20230724-p5dqsv.html |website=The Sydney Morning Herald |date=24 July 2023 |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref> |
|||
The standoff ended on 10 August 2023 after the NRL and Rugby League Players Association settled on an in-principle collective bargaining agreement (CBA), with the league’s first billion-dollar CBA, which lasts until 2027 and covers men’s and women’s players, expected to be finalised over the coming days, pending documentation and ratification.<ref>{{cite web |title=NRL & RLPA reach CBA agreement |url=https://www.nrl.com/news/2023/08/10/nrl-rlpa-reach-cba-agreement |website=National Rugby League |date=10 August 2023 |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nuttall |first1=Daniel |title=Rugby league's civil war set to end after 'done deal' between RLPA and NRL |url=https://www.foxsports.com.au/nrl/nrl-premiership/nrl-2023-rlpa-v-nrl-peter-vlandys-rugby-league-news-reaction/news-story/f077361bc9dd3c5d16ad54f1e217e32d |website=Fox Sports Australia |date=10 August 2023 |publisher=News Corp |access-date=21 August 2023}}</ref> |
|||
==References== |
==References== |
||
| Line 80: | Line 191: | ||
==External links== |
==External links== |
||
[http://rlpa.com.au/ Rugby League Players Association] |
* [http://rlpa.com.au/ Rugby League Players Association] |
||
{{Portal|Australia|Organized labour}} |
{{Portal|Australia|Organized labour}} |
||
{{NRL}} |
{{NRL}} |
||
{{NRL Women's Premiership}} |
|||
{{Rugby league in Australia}} |
|||
[[Category:Rugby league in Australia]] |
[[Category:Rugby league in Australia]] |
||
[[Category:Sports professional associations]] |
|||
[[Category:Sports trade unions]] |
[[Category:Sports trade unions]] |
||
[[Category:National Rugby League]] |
[[Category:National Rugby League]] |
||
[[Category:NRL Women's Premiership]] |
|||
[[Category:NRL Under-20s]] |
|||
[[Category:Trade unions in Australia]] |
[[Category:Trade unions in Australia]] |
||
[[Category:Trade unions established in 1979]] |
[[Category:Trade unions established in 1979]] |
||
[[Category:1979 establishments in Australia]] |
[[Category:1979 establishments in Australia]] |
||
{{Australia-trade-union-stub}} |
|||
{{Rugbyleague-stub}} |
|||
Latest revision as of 02:47, 24 February 2024
Rugby League Players Association | |
 | |
| Gegründet | 1979 |
|---|---|
| Hauptsitz | Balmain, New South Wales |
| Standort |
|
Mitglieder | 600+ |
Key people | Daly Cherry-Evans, General President Clint Newton, CEO |
| Website | www.rlpa.com.au |
The Rugby League Players Association is a representative organisation based in Australia. The RLPA, as it is more commonly referred to, is the representative body of elite rugby league players, protecting and promoting the welfare and interests of its members.
Formerly the Rugby League Professionals Association, the company changed its name in 2009.
Structure
[edit]The RLPA is not a registered union; the RLPA receives $3 million from the NRL each year to run its operation, and NRL players do not pay fees to be part of the association.[1]
Leadership
[edit]Former Newcastle Knights captain Tony Butterfield was appointed RLPA CEO in 2000.[2]
Former Western Reds and Penrith Panthers player Matthew Rodwell served as CEO for a brief period up until 2009.[citation needed]
In 2009, David Garnsey took the reins as chief executive officer through until 2015.[3]
In December 2015, former Carlton Football Club player and AFLPA general manager of Player Relations Ian Prendergast was appointed chief executive officer of the RLPA.[4]
In 2017, Australian, Queensland and Melbourne Storm captain Cameron Smith was appointed General President of the RLPA, taking over from Clint Newton who continued with the organisation in the role of general manager of Player Relations.[5]
In 2020, Prendergast departed the RLPA and Newton was appointed chief executive officer.[6]
RLPA board of directors
[edit]The current RLPA board of Directors consists of players and industry professionals. The most recent additions were Josh Hodgson, Chelsea Lenarduzzi, Stuart Nelson, and Joanne Taylor during 2022.[7]
- Deidre Anderson (chair)
- Daly Cherry-Evans (General President)
- Clint Newton (CEO and managing director)
- Chelsea Lenarduzzi
- Pippa Leary
- Wade Graham
- Josh Hodgson
- Hannah Southwell[7]
- Christian Welch
- Steven Harker AM[7]
- Stuart Nelson[8]
- Joanne Taylor[8]
The Players' Champion
[edit]The Rugby League Players' Association's annual awards ceremony, The Players' Champion, recognises the best player in the National Rugby League as voted by their peers.
Four-time winner of the award Johnathan Thurston, described the Players' Champion as "the highest accolade a player can get."[9]
In 2019, the first Players' Champion accolade was awarded to an NRLW player, with Jessica Sergis taking out the inaugural honour.[10]
Previous winners
[edit]
Collective Bargaining Agreement
[edit]In November 2017, the RLPA negotiated a new Collective Bargaining Agreement with the National Rugby League that secured the biggest pay increase for players in the game's 109-year history.[16]
The new CBA deal captures a range of employment related clauses for a five-year period, beginning in 2018 through until 2022.
In a show of unity and solidarity behind the RLPA in the ongoing negotiations, NRL players wore branded caps throughout State of Origin press conferences and green tape in Round 21 of the 2017 season. RLPA CEO Ian Prendergast stated it "was no secret players had become increasingly frustrated" by negotiations. "They want to stand up, use their voice and demonstrate their solidarity across the weekend to get this deal over the line so we can deliver certainty in the industry."[17]
The concluding months of the CBA, and the passage of its deadline in November 2022, saw increasing tensions between the NRL and the RLPA. Although the NRL and RLPA had agreed to an increase in player payments of 37%, with $1.35bn to be designated to players between 2023 and 2027, the two parties were at odds regarding a number of issues regarding working conditions and control of funds, including access to and ownership of personal and medical player data, allocation of funds to the RLPA’s programs, the length of the season, minimum wages, insurance for death and total disability, the ability of players to negotiate with other clubs, payments for international matches, and autonomy over union funding.[18][19]
As part of the standoff, RLPA members covered up the NRL logo on their jerseys during Round 22's matches, refused to speak to the media on game days, released a video titled Stand With Us aimed at garnering support from fans, sent letters to the club chairs and main sponsors of the clubs and the league to complain about the lack of progress in negotiations and asking for support, as well as threatening to delay match kickoff times and boycott the Dally M Awards ceremony.[20][21][22][23]
The standoff ended on 10 August 2023 after the NRL and Rugby League Players Association settled on an in-principle collective bargaining agreement (CBA), with the league’s first billion-dollar CBA, which lasts until 2027 and covers men’s and women’s players, expected to be finalised over the coming days, pending documentation and ratification.[24][25]
References
[edit]- ^ Nicolussi, Christian (29 July 2023). "NRL considers cutting funding to players' union as pay battle rages on". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "RLPA History". RLPA. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
- ^ "RLPA boss resigns after no confidence vote". Retrieved 4 December 2017.
- ^ Proszenko, Adrian (1 December 2015). "New RLPA boss Ian Prendergast says he'll make union as strong as AFLPA". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
- ^ "Cameron Smith". RLPA. Retrieved 4 December 2017.
- ^ Proszenko, Adrian (20 March 2020). "Clint Newton appointed new player's union boss". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 9 December 2020.
- ^ a b c "Hodgson elected to RLPA Board". RLPA. 23 March 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ a b "Compass Group MD joins RLPA Board". RLPA. 8 March 2022. Retrieved 7 September 2022.
- ^ Callinan, Josh (13 September 2016). "Rugby League Players' Champions Awards | photos, live blog, poll". Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
- ^ "The Players' Champion Awards". 22 November 2023.
- ^ a b "McGregor and Tedesco the Players' Champions". Rugby League Player's Association. 2 October 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
- ^ McDonald, Margie (15 October 2019). "Players Champ Sergis on where her aggression comes from". NRL.com. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
- ^ Churches, Matt (25 October 2020). "Roosters youngster Hannah Southwell voted RLPA NRLW Players' Champion". Nine's Wide World of Sport. Nine Media. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
- ^ "Tonegato named RLPA Players' Champion". dragons.com.au. 11 April 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
- ^ "Players crown their Champion". Rugby League Player's Association. 10 April 2022. Retrieved 4 October 2022.
- ^ "NRL reaches $1 billion peace deal". Retrieved 4 December 2017.
- ^ "Subscribe to the Daily Telegraph". The Daily Telegraph. Australia. Retrieved 6 December 2017.
- ^ Danckert a, Sarah; Pengilly, Adam (3 August 2023). "League players ramp up pay deal campaign with pleas to sponsors". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ Samios, Zoe (28 July 2023). "Trouble at the top as two execs ditch NRL players board". Australian Financial Review. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "NRL and players reach pay deal as bitter dispute ends". The Guardian. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "REPORT: RLPA CONTEMPLATING DRASTIC NEW STEP IN CBA NEGOTIATIONS". SEN. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ Pengilly, Adam (2 August 2023). "NRL players back down on covering logo as future protests planned". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ Pengilly, Adam; Chammas, Michael (24 July 2023). "Dally M boycott threat: NRL stars up the ante in industrial dispute". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ "NRL & RLPA reach CBA agreement". National Rugby League. 10 August 2023. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
- ^ Nuttall, Daniel (10 August 2023). "Rugby league's civil war set to end after 'done deal' between RLPA and NRL". Fox Sports Australia. News Corp. Retrieved 21 August 2023.
