Four new additions to the Player Advisory Group

The Rugby League Players’ Association (RLPA) welcomes four new additions to its Player Advisory Group (NRL) for 2021, an initiative that provides player leaders with a forum to share their insights on key challenges facing the game.

Michael Morgan, Alex Glenn, Moses Mbye and Josh Hodgson will join the Player Advisory Group (NRL), or PAG for short, adding close to 700 NRL games worth of experience to the already impressive line-up.

The quartet join Wade Graham, Daly Cherry-Evans, Sia Soliola, Dale Copley, Blake Green, Christian Welch and Damien Cook.

The new additions replace John Asiata, Darius Boyd (retired), David Gower (retired), James Graham (retired), Chris Lawrence (retired) and Joel Thompson (Super League).

The PAG operates between the NRL Delegate structure and the RLPA Board, bringing together some of the game’s most advanced thinkers to proactively discuss matters relating to the NRL competition.

RLPA Player Operations Manager, Jamie Buhrer, was a member of the inaugural PAG in 2019 and now works alongside Tom Symonds in bringing the group together.

“The PAG initiative has certainly continued to gain momentum since it was introduced at the start of 2019,” Buhrer said.

“Last year was obviously a unique one, but we saw the PAG step up and play a really important role on behalf of their fellow players as we worked through a number of issues relating to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Tom and I have been really impressed with the calibre of players who have put their hand up to be involved again this year and who are eager to help advance the collective.

“Ensuring players are provided with a forum to share their views and actively contribute to their Association is crucial and we look forward to bringing this group together again in the coming weeks.”

Glenn, captain of the Brisbane Broncos and one of the new additions to group, said he is excited to increase his involvement in advocating for his fellow players.

“It’s important that as players that we really contribute to the direction of our Association,” Glenn said.

“This group provides us with a regular platform to bring forward our views and help advance not only the players but the game.

“Players having a voice in the game’s decision-making process regarding issues that impact us directly is something I feel really strongly about.

“It’s a great initiative and something I’m really proud to be involved with.”

RLPA Director and Canberra Raiders forward Soliola welcomed the four new players to the PAG.

“It’s great to have Alex, Moses, Josh and Michael officially join the PAG,” Soliola said.

“I know they all stepped up throughout last year as RLPA delegates and it’s great to see them transition into this important role.

“I know firsthand that the views and opinions shared in this forum help guide the direction of the RLPA team and are often brought forward to the Board to assist with decisions we make.

“I think the other important advantage of the PAG is that it provides us players with the opportunity to further develop as leaders and learn more about certain areas of the game.

“We have a strong group of players leaders involved who will no doubt be keen to play a key role in shaping the game moving forward.”

The PAG will meet again in the coming weeks, with a range of potential topics set to be discussed such as the impact of the most recent rule changes and updates regarding the ongoing reviews to agent accreditation and the contracting model.

The PAG relates directly to matters regarding the NRL competition. Player leaders within the Elite Women’s space make a valuable contribution to matters relating to the NRLW and representative game through their participation in the RLPA Women’s Player Leader working group.

2021 PLAYER ADVISORY GROUP (NRL)

• Wade Graham
• Daly Cherry-Evans
• Sia Soliola
• Dale Copley
• Blake Green
• Christian Welch
• Damien Cook
• Michael Morgan
• Alex Glenn
• Moses Mbye
• Josh Hodgson