Rugby League Coaching Manuals

South Sydney chief executive Shane Richardson, who presided over Penrith's grand final win in 2003, described yesterday as his greatest day in rugby league.

Michael Searle, the architect and driving force of the independent commission, branded it the dawn of a new era.

"I think its a great thing for the game," said Searle, who began the process nearly two years ago.

"It's the dawn of a new era. I think a new-found spirit among the clubs and the players and hopefully the fans to take the game of rugby league to a whole new dimension.

"It's a great time for our game. It's very humbling to be involved in something like this.

"Today was the biggest step."

Richardson added: "I think it's the best thing that's happened to me in rugby league.

"It's an enormous leap forward for the game.

"There's a lot of work to be done, lot of things to be nutted out, there's going to be a lot of whinging, but the bottom line is were going to have an independent commission. That's the brightest piece of sunshine for a long, long time."

The ARL had been split along state lines over its support for an independent commission.

Even yesterday, the Queensland Rugby League voted in a bloc against the latest proposal. However, after a 90-minute meeting, the NSW delegates led by ARL chairman Colin Love and chief executive Geoff Carr used their numbers to carry the day 6-4. Love immediately phoned Searle to deliver the news.

Under the model ratified by News Limited and the ARL, the game will be run by eight commissioners.

Names already linked with the commission include former Billabong chairman Gary Pemberton, NRL board member Katie Page and former Qantas chief executive Geoff Dixon.

The inaugural commissioners will be appointed by News Limited and the ARL, before the duty is handed over to the members of the commission - the 16 clubs, the NSW and Queensland rugby leagues and the commissioners.

The QRL and NSWRL will retain veto rights in relation to the constitution, which is yet to be drafted.

NRL chief executive David Gallop is expected to retain his role and be handed a four-year contract.

"It's obviously a big step forward and everyone in the game will be excited," Gallop said.

Love warned there was still work to be done but claimed yesterday was a major step forward in the process.

"The ARL believes that the in-principle agreement arrived at today will deliver a truly independent commission to run rugby league," Love said in a statement.

"Both partners have committed to regular meetings to work through each of the points that will need to be discussed and the complex legal agreements that are involved.

"People need to understand there is still a lot of work ahead."

A News Limited spokesman said: "We think it's obviously a very welcome development.

"It's an important milestone that will now allow the commission to be set up with almost unanimous support."

Officials have already predicted the move to an independent commission could revolutionise the game, resulting in clubs becoming more profitable and players earning more money.

Importantly, Searle - who paid tribute to News Limited and the ARL - believes yesterday's decision will arm the NRL to defend its position against the AFL.

"This takes the game of rugby league to a whole new platform," Searle said.

"We're now fighting in the same weight division as the AFL."