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he Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC), along with the NRL clubs, New South Wales Rugby League (NSWRL), and Queensland Rugby League (QRL), have approved changes to three rules within the ARLC Constitution.

The three approved rule changes are:

• The period of time a person must not be involved in the game, as an officer or employee of the ARLC, NRL, an NRL club, NSWRL, or QRL, before they are eligible to be appointed as an independent director of the ARLC has been reduced from 36 months to 12 months.
• The method for removing a director from office has changed to align with the Corporations Act.
• A cap of six years has been introduced as the maximum time a director can hold office, unless there are exceptional circumstances that warrant a further three-year term at the request of the chairman. This role comes into effect from the next AGM of the ARLC and current directors will be treated as if it is the first year of their term.

ARLC chairman, Peter V’landys, said the changes signify the unity of the members to support changes for the first time since the Commission was created in 2012.

“This is an important moment for the game,” V’landys said.

“It is the first time since the creation of the Commission that members have agreed to changes to the Constitution, it is an example of how united the game is to grow and improve the product for our fans and participants.

“These are common sense governance changes.

“Reducing the time a person has to be out of rugby league before being eligible to join the Commission will ensure the Nominations Committee can consider a wider range of people associated with rugby league.

“The Commission supports the changes made today.

“It will ensure the Commission will continue to have the very best directors to grow rugby league,” he said.

The Commission was not eligible to vote on the changes but indicated its support for the amendments.

Elsewhere in rugby league, the Cronulla Sharks have announced Aramex Australia as its major partner for the 2021-2022 NRL seasons.

Sharks CEO, Dino Mezzatesta, said he is excited to join forces with an international brand in Aramex.

“Not only is Aramex widely recognised internationally but now knowing their operations and vast network here in Australia, it is clear we are partnering with a huge and highly successful organisation,” Mezzatesta said.

“I’m very pleased to welcome them as our major partner and we are confident the success the Sharks are looking to achieve in the coming years will also translate to widespread exposure, brand awareness and success for Aramex as well,” he said.

Aramex Australia CEO, Peter Lipinski, said the Sharks have a fantastic management and coaching team and some of the most loyal fans in the NRL and looked forward to ‘delivering’ success to the Sharks with the sponsorship.

“We look forward to supporting the players and fans for a successful 2021 season and already we know with an exceptionally high calibre of players, this is the club to beat,” Lipinski said.