The Cairns Post

Change is still afoot

Plan to revisit rugby league restructur­e

- MATT NICHOLLS

A PROPOSAL to restructur­e rugby league in the Far North might have fallen over at CDRL level, but expect it to be back on the table next year.

QRL Northern Division director Nigel Tillett said plans to create one major body for the sport was the preferred model and that another vote would be put to stakeholde­rs by mid-2019.

The proposal would combine the Cairns District seniors, Cairns District juniors, Innisfail juniors and Eacham juniors under one body.

“The three junior bodies all voted unanimousl­y in favour of it, but we couldn’t get it across the line at CDRL level,” Tillett said.

“For it to get through we needed 75 per cent in favour and the vote went 10-6.”

There are 18 votes at CDRL level – 11 from the senior clubs, three from the executive, one from the referees and one each from the junior leagues.

Mossman-Port Douglas and Yarrabah did not attend the meeting. Because the vote was held under a secret ballot, there is no record of who voted against the proposal, but Tillett said he was aware of the clubs that held concerns.

“Some of them wanted more detail and to see a draft constituti­on,” he said.

“We are obliged to push on so the next step is to draw up a draft constituti­on and circulate it among the stakeholde­rs and go back to another vote.”

Tillett said ideally, the new structure – once approved – would come into play for the 2020 season.

“The meetings with the four leagues in the Far North resulted in an overwhelmi­ng vote for change,” he said.

“Only four clubs out of 31 clubs and affiliates in the Far North voted against any change.

“Some of the four against the proposal want more informatio­n, which will be forthcomin­g in the next stage.

“Now … a small representa­tive committee will be establishe­d to formulate a draft constituti­on and a corporate governance charter.

“It is proposed to have these drafts ready for all clubs to discuss by March, with a possible vote by May, 2019.”

Tillett said the proposed changes would not impact the current structure, role and functions of the individual clubs.

“The three largest leagues in Queensland (Brisbane, Gold Coast and Ipswich) have already transition­ed to a ‘whole of game’ model,” he said.

Tillett said there were no plans to include the Northern Pride as part of the restructur­e, but did not rule it out in future.

 ??  ?? FORWARD: Matt Laumea
FORWARD: Matt Laumea
 ??  ?? KEY SIGNING: Jack Murphy .
KEY SIGNING: Jack Murphy .
 ??  ?? INCOMING: Bradley Stephen.
INCOMING: Bradley Stephen.

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