Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA) CEO Ian Prendergast on the consideration of a ‘transfer window’ in the NRL:
“Players are always open to considering new initiatives that will help improve the NRL Premiership, which the NRL and clubs are well aware of,” Prendergast said.
“The RLPA demonstrated this throughout the Collective Bargaining Agreement negotiations last year and even since where we have agreed to balanced changes around the new NRL contract model.
“While we are open to discussing new concepts, we believe it is important to look at issues such as player movement in totality.
“We currently have one of the most balanced competitions in the world, which has driven huge interest in the NRL Premiership.
“The free labour market is something that past players and the Association have fought hard to establish.
“Together with the salary cap, it has served the game well in terms of providing players with a fundamental right to choose their employer and helping balance talent relatively evenly across the competition.
“Any changes to the player movement system would need to be evidence-based and consider the intended and unintended consequences of how they would work in practice, while ensuring the rights of players, key stakeholders and the competition are protected.
“There are a range of factors that will need to be looked at regarding player movement across the competition, such as improving the stability at clubs around coaching and football staff and ensuring clubs manage their salary caps responsibly.
“We look forward to working through this process with the NRL and clubs on behalf of players”.
