Transfer fees are ‘justified’

Press, 2 September 1986, Page 42

Transfer fees are ‘justified’

By

JOHN COFFEY

The $46,000 transfer fees placed on the heads of the 12 New Zealand rugby league representatives now eligible for clearances to join overseas clubs are justified, according to the N.Z.R.L. executive director, Mr Michael Knowles.

“Negotiating fees,” as the N.Z.R.L. terms the payments, were required to assist in covering the high costs of developing the skills of the players in domestic football and on tours, he said.

There was widespread surprise last week when the amount being requested for the services of the dozen young internationals who have now fulfilled the two-hours or six-tests qualifications was made public. It seems that the $46,000 price tag will not deter the big-spending Sydney Club, Manly-War-ringah, from signing the multi-talented Auckland utility back, Darrell Williams.

St Helens, one of Britain’s wealthiest clubs, is still keen to have another Auckland outside back, Mark Elia, join it on a full time basis later this year. But the Redcliffe club from Brisbane has shied away from coming to terms with the Canterbury front-row forward, Brent Todd, after believing the fee would be about half the amount asked.

“During the last 12

months or so the game in New Zealand, and its sponsors, have invested about SIM on tours to Britain and France. Australia and Paupa New Guinea, and in home tests against Australia,” Mr Knowles said.

"The fees sought when Kiwis transfer overseas are to reimburse the N.Z.R.L. on that investment — they are not to make the N.Z.R.L. fat.”

Income from transfers is split between the national body and the players’ former province and club. Much of the N.Z.R.L. share is directed towards propping up the less lucrative internal competitions.

The balance sheet for the 1985 New Zealand season discloses that $67,486 was received from overseas clubs. Of that, $62,664 was spent in offsetting the expenses for the Tusk Cup, the Junior Kiwis, district and provincial football, and the coaching committee. Another $12,500 was drawn from the “negotiating fees fund reserve” as costs for the overseasbased Kiwis. “I believe it Is the re-

sponsibility of the N.Z.R.L. to smooth the way for players to gain overseas experience on off-season transfers from mid-Octo-ber to the end of March,” said Mr Knowles.

“While totally supportive of the regulations, I agree we must make life easier for players to at least go to England. Investigations are also in hand to establish a scholarship scheme . which would place young players with Australian clubs. One leading Sydney club is already quite receptive to the idea.”

"I know all this is not good news for Brent Todd at present, and it will not be possible to satisfy everyone all of the time. But the spectators, administrators and juniors in New Zealand are entitled to some kind of protection too.”

Mr Knowles said that a full review of all domestic competitions would be made in the next few months. It has been agreed that “elite” squads of 17-years and 15-years players would be established for specialist coaching during the summer.