The National Rugby League’s Head of Game Strategy and Development Shane Richardson has handed down his proposed blueprint for the future of the game but already has opposition from many sectors of the public saying the ‘Platinum League’ won’t work.

On one hand you have Bush Footy which is starving for attention and would get it with a national television competition representing all corners of the rugby league landscape.

But on the other, Richardson is asking NRL clubs in Sydney to drop players and put them in makeshift teams with rival players.

“We want to give everyone the opportunity to play in the NRL – whether they come from the country, New Zealand, the Affiliated States, Pacifica or anywhere else in the world of Rugby League,” Richardson said.

“This strategy is not intended to squeeze anyone out of the game – it is designed to include more participants than ever before.”

Our own Curtis Woodward breaks down the sections that affect grassroots football the most:
– Restricting players from making their NRL debuts until the year they turn 19. No player to be signed with an agent until he is 17 – and contracts for these players should be for a maximum three-year term.
Curtis says: This is actually great news for Bush Footy because it allows kids coming through to stay longer, keeps agents away (although they’ll find a way to get in) and strengthens the local competitions instead of pillaging them right when developing players are transitioning into senior football.

– Restructuring the National Youth Competition into a state-based under-20 competition.
Curtis says: Also good for Bush footy as it keeps the best young talent closer to home. We won’t see as many kids forced to move to Sydney at fifteen or sixteen.

– Revamping and upgrading the State League into a Platinum League to spread the footprint of the competition into all the areas that play Rugby League.
Curtis: Bad news for the NSWRL, great news for everyone else. Sounds a little like the old AMCO Cup from back in the day with all country areas represented in a television competition. Also gives guys in positions like prop time to develop longer and grow into their own skins rather than being spat out by ruthless NRL clubs when they don’t peak at 19 years old. Really bad news for the NSW Cup and from their point it just doesn’t make sense. Worst part of it is forcing players from rival clubs to play together in the revised competition. Just doesn’t make sense.

– There would be a significant increase in expenditure in the pathways and in particular the second tier by the NRL.
Curtis: Hallelujah, praise Tom Cruise. Bush footy needs it most.

Verdict: Keep the Platinum League for country areas and developing nations and keep it on television. But don’t screw with what would be a perfectly good Reserve Grade competition – to be played on all NRL game days.

@woodward_curtis