RUGBY LEAGUE

Evening Post, Volume CVI, Issue 104, 30 October 1923, Page 6

RUGBY LEAGUE

RESIDENTIAL QUALIFICATION

fFROM OUR OTTN CORRESPONDENT.) LONDON, 13th September. The "Athletic News" this week discusses the question of residential qualification for Rugby League players. "The agitation for the removal of the two years' residential qualification for ) Australian players desirous of joining English clubs has had one beneficial result," says the writqg. "For the first time since. Rugby League football was established in New South Wales there is a probability of a complete agreement being arrived at between the Colonial League and the Northern Rugby League on the vexed question of transfers. "At the last meeting of the Rugby League Council the English, authorities decided to submit the following for colonial confirmation: ■ 'Any players belonging to a club in membership with, the Northern Rugby Football League on the one hand, or who is a member of the New South Wales, Queensland, or Victoria League Clubs on the other, shall not be allowed to play for the other League or Leagues without the consent of the club to which the player belongs, such consent to be obtained through the League of which such club is a member. In the case of a player wishing to leave the Northern League for one of the other three Leagues, or vice versa, and his transfer being refused, such player shall j be a-llowed to play in the country of his ' adoption after a two years' residential qualification ; any touring player's qualification to date from the completion of the tour—the date of arrival back in Great Britain or Australia.' "This draft of agreement is, we learn, being submitted to each of the three Colonial Leagues separately, and although it is understood here to be in accordance with the New South Wales League's desires, it must be agreed to by all the three Leagues. It differs somewhat from the registration laws of the Rugby League in that the agreement as submitted will permit of ultimate transfer even against the desires of the Home club, and this section may be opposed by the Sydney authorities. "The suggested agreement does not give to the three Colonial Leagues the powers granted to New Zealand. The agreement with the Dominion League stipulates that 'in the case of the New Zealand League, it shall, for the purposes of this standing order, have power to give or withhold the transfers of men playing Rugby football in its spheres of influence, even though such players are rzt actually in membership with such League.' 1 "One reason advanced for, the abolition of the qualification rule by the clubs desirous of inducing colonial players to Lancashire and Yorkshire was the absence of any protective agreement for louring players. Australia's acceptance of the proposed agreement would place the whole matter on a mutual basis, and confirmation by cable is expected in due course."-