The 2016 New South Wales Rugby League season produced record sponsorship, merchandising and membership revenue totalling almost $7.2 million, delivering a record surplus of $810,813, the Annual General Meeting of the NSWRL was told today.
The healthy financial state came off the back of a 13 per cent increase in revenue from sponsorship, merchandising and membership revenue from $6.349 million in 2015 to $7.194 million for the 12-month accounts period ending 31 October, 2016.
Support for the NSW VB Blues, who blooded eight new Origin players in 2016 while falling short of the desired result on the field, generated almost $1.13 million - an increase of almost 85 per cent on last year’s revenue ($611,118) - in the second year of acquisition of the Blatchys Blues program.
NSWRL Chairman Dr George Peponis OAM said the continued solid financial performance, with surpluses totalling $3.95 million being produced over the past six years (2011-16) through the continued record revenue growth of the commercial program, laid a strong foundation for the future which includes the completion of a Centre of Excellence during the next year at Sydney Olympic Park.
“Long-term growth and success for NSWRL is a key focus of ours and in the last year, we took significant steps in achieving these objectives,” Dr Peponis said.
NSWRL continues to receive strong support from the Australian Rugby League Commission, with an increase in financial support to assist with the conduct of NSWRL senior and junior competitions.
The NSW Intrust Super Premiership NSW clubs were the beneficiaries of continued funding from the NRL, as part of the Pathways program, enabling them to compete at the elite level, as well as assisting the improvement of infrastructure programs that support Rugby League at all levels.
NSWRL Chief Executive David Trodden said the domination of 2016 competition by NSW teams to win the under-16, 18 and 20 Origin matches, the Women’s Interstate Challenge, national under-18 and under-16 junior representative competitions and the National Intrust Super Cup was testament to the success of the NSWRL Pathways Program.
NSWRL continues to undertake support for the community of NSW with more than $1.5 million being spent on programs that support Rugby League throughout schools, junior leagues and the broader community.
At the AGM, Bob Millward OAM and Nick Politis AM were re-elected to the Board, while Parramatta Eels legend Mick Cronin OAM was awarded Life Membership for his outstanding service to the NSWRL.
