NRL expansion
put on hold

The National Rugby League announced today it had ruled out expanding the competition in 2006 but pledged to revisit the issue next season with a view towards adding new teams in 2007.

The partnership executive committee rejected bids from the Central Coast, the Gold Coast and Wellington to enter the premiership in 2006, but said the issue would be re-examined.

The partnership - made up of representatives from the NRL and News Limited - said the three areas deserved to be represented in the NRL in the future.

However, they said the game's current success was due to the stability of the 15-team competition in recent seasons.

"The enthusiasm of individuals associated with the bid teams has understandably raised the expectations of new areas being added to the competition," the partnership said in a statement.

"However, it is to be remembered that the partnership had neither sought nor invited expansion submissions.

"While the partnership sees merit in being in each of the areas discussed, it needs to see further evidence of the financial stability of the existing competition before setting a time-line for that expansion.

"History has proven that to succeed a new team needs to enter a strong and stable competition environment."

The partnership recommended the NRL continue to monitor expansion opportunities so they could be formally revisited towards the end of next season.

It also suggested the NRL continue its assessment of future television broadcasting agreements which expire at the end of 2006 and 2007, which may influence expansion.

The partnership also pledged to increase its development commitment to the Central Coast, the Gold Coast and Wellington and called on the NRL to fully assess the impact of the state government's poker machine tax on existing clubs.