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.
Since its inception the ARL has administered the Australian national team and represented Australia in international rugby league matters. During the Super League war of the mid-1990s the ARL also administered Australia's club premiership until the National Rugby League was formed.
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 Board and John La Maro the first chairman. Prior to this time, international rugby league was organised by both 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. During this period it as known as the ARFL, (Australian Rugby Football League).
Until 1984 the ARL was run by the NSWRL, and many Queensland players and administrators throughout this period believed that the NSWRL used this power to the detriment of Queenslanders, especially with respect to national team selection. The ARL was duly incorporated, as a separate entity, and Ken Arthurson was the first executive chairman of the new body.
1995-1997: Control of the first grade competition
- See also: Super League war
The premier first grade rugby league competition in Australia had been run by the New South Wales Rugby League from the first season in 1908 until the end of 1994. With further expansion of the competition nationwide implemented for the 1995 season the NSWRL passed, to the ARL, control of the Winfield Cup competition, following the inclusion of teams from Perth, Townsville and Auckland.
Following Kerry Packer's announcement that he owned both free-to-air and pay television broadcasting rights for the sport in Australia, News Limited undertook a bold bid to create a rival competition, Super League (Australia). Super League successfully attracted eight of the ARL clubs.
In the State of Origin series of 1995, the ARL forbade the players of those eight clubs from participating in the interstate competition. However, those clubs were allowed to participate in the premiership seasons of 1995 and 1996, while the ARL fought in the courtroom to stop the Super League competition from eventuating. However, Super League conducted a rival competition in 1997.
Both the ARL and Super League competitions ran parallel to each other that year. At the close of the season, despite having the financial backing of Optus, the ARL decided that it was not in the best interests of the game to run two competitions and undertook moves to approach News Limited and invite the traditional clubs back into the main competition. As a consequence of the negotiations that followed, the National Rugby League was formed before the 1998 season from the ARL and Super League competitions.
Australian Rugby League premiers
1998-present
The ARL remains responsible for administering all aspects of the game of rugby league in Australia and conducting representative rugby league matches including, State of Origin competition, the New South Wales City-Country competition and the national team, the Kangaroos.
The Australian Rugby League's major elite competition in Australia, the National Rugby League (NRL), is conducted as a partnership with News Limited as a result of the events following the Super League war of 1995-1997.
ARL Development
ARL Development is a non-profit company formed by the ARL to develop the sport from an introductory level to the age of 18 years. In achieving this, ARL Development has developed new modified codes that gradually introduce children to rugby league. This is done by restricting the rules and then gradually releasing these restrictions.
The two introductory modified codes currently in use are mini footy and mod league. On completion of mod league, players make a move to full international rugby league laws.
Members
Affiliated states
Affiliated leagues
- Australian Secondary Schools Rugby League
- Australian Universities Rugby League
- School Sports Australia
- Australian Police Rugby League
- Australian Women's Rugby League
Affiliated States Championship
The Affiliated States Championship is an annual competition run by the Australian Rugby League involving the four affiliated states (Victoria, South Australia, Northern Territory and Western Australia) plus the Australian Police and Australian Defence Force.
| Year |
Champions |
| 1994 |
Western Australia |
| 1995 |
Newcastle |
| 1996 |
Western Australia |
| 1997 |
Australian Capital Territory |
| 2003 |
Western Australia |
| 2004 |
Northern Territory |
| 2005 |
Western Australia |
| 2006 |
Western Australia |
| 2007 |
Western Australia |
| 2008 |
Western Australia |
See also
External links
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