Big increase in transfer fees

Press, 14 October 1986, Page 44

Big increase in transfer fees

By

JOHN COFFEY

Canterbury was successful in its quest to have rugby league transfer fees markedly increased when the subject was discussed at the national conference in Auckland at the weekend.

The transfer payment for Kiwis was raised from $l5OO to $5OOO, and for provincial representatives from $lOOO to $3OOO. The nominal, and seldom demanded, $2OO “bounty” on senior club players was discarded.

The “Kiwi” and "provincial” categories include players of such status during the preceding three years. All inter-provincial transfers must still

receive the approval of the New Zealand Rugby League, which is also the appeal authority if transactions do not flow smoothly. Delegates from throughout the country were almost unanimous in their support of the increases, said the Canterbury board of control chairman, Mr lan Jenkins, yesterday. “Initially there was a wee bit of opposition from the minor leagues, which was surprising,” said Mr Jenkins. “I explained to them that the change would be more beneficial to smaller provinces whose better footballers are likely to be poached. “At least they would be compensated to a greater

extent under the increased amounts. In the end only Wellington and one or two of the minor leagues were not in favour,” he said. Canterbury will seek approval from the N.Z.R.L. to mount a'tour involving games against Bay of Plenty (April 19), Waikato (April 22) and Wellington (April 25) next year. Arguments mounted by Canterbury and other provinces that early-season ■ fixtures were necessary whittled away at the viewpoint of the N.Z.R.L. president, Mr George Rainey, who had recommended that no representative football be held in April. The playing highlight of

Canterbury’s 75th anniversary celebrations will be a home encounter with Auckland on Queen’s Birthday Monday, June 1. The national inter-dis-tricts championship is to occupy the next three week-ends, leading up to the French tour of New Zealand in July. Other decisions made at the conference were.— • Canterbury B will be involved in a round-robin South Island second division championship against Otago, Southland and West Coast B. It was previously a knock-out competition. • The Junior Kiwis will tour Britain late next year. The method of funding the tour is still under consideration. • More thought will be

given to an Auckland proposal that : up to four replacements be allowed. It was argued there would be confusion with the • present international rule, which permits only two. .. • New 'South Wales Country and Queensland will make brief visits next May, but their activities will be restricted to northern venues. • Emphasis will be placed on increasing the number of schoolboy teams in each league. By -the end of -1987 every club will be expected to have at least one seven-year-old side, adding a nine-year-old team in 1988 and an 11-year-old team in 1989.