A NEW MEDICAL SUPPORT FUND
Why? Because players are excluded from workers compensation legislation. In the current CBA players only have 12 months to have any surgeries and rehabilitation paid for that will help fix the injuries they suffered during their careers. The players want the game’s first Medical Support Fund to ensure past NRL and NRLW players can have these surgeries covered well into retirement.
A FIRST-EVER NRLW CBA
Why? Because those players don’t have one and they deserve one. A CBA for women would provide the contract security players need and the full terms and conditions that would help protect them and their families. A CBA would give the game the best opportunity to attract and retain our talent.
BETTER TERMS FOR MOST VULNERABLE PLAYERS
Why? Because the average NRL career is less than 45 games. Making your way into the NRL and NRLW and building a career is tough, you need to be supported to make it happen. Players need better training wages, better minimum salaries, more contracts and contract certainty, match fees and transition benefits – all to support players but specifically middle and lower-income earners.
A NEW PAST PLAYERS PROGRAM
Why? Because what the game does now is not enough. Players’ careers are getting shorter, and the game is faster and harder. It can all be over at any moment, and you don’t always get to choose when that moment is. We need to help NRL & NRLW players transition into life beyond the playing field.
FAIR AGREEMENT RIGHTS
Why? Because players need to agree to all core terms of employment. Once they are agreed, they shouldn’t be able to be changed again without the players’ agreement. Those are basic and common employment rights. Players should have them. Agreement rights include hours worked (obligations), number of matches played, wage structures, when players can secure a contract, pregnancy and parental policies, and fines (which are illegal in other workplaces).
AN IMPROVED INJURY HARDSHIP FUND
Why? Because it needs to account for the additional eligible players (more than 250 across 10 women’s teams and The Dolphins) coming into the CBA model. It needs to be expanded to also support players who suffer serious injuries and can’t secure a new contract until fully rehabilitated.
A FAIR SHARE OF REVENUE
Why? Because players, clubs and states generate the money for the game. It is reasonable for players to have a fair share of the revenue they bring in. If players help the game generate more money than it expects, they should get their fair share. That share isn’t just going into salaries. Players want it to fund new programs and benefits that will support current, future and past players.
