League: Sparc cash boosts NZRL's confidence

League's radical overhaul of its governance has reaped a $3 million windfall.

Government sports funding agency Sparc yesterday announced it would invest that sum in the game over the next three years following the implementation of key recommendations in the Sir John Anderson Report - an in-depth review that concluded the sport was in a state of disarray 18 months ago.

NZRL chairman Scott Carter welcomed what is the largest single government investment in league, describing it as a signal the national administration had regained its credibility.

As well as underpinning the game's restructure, the money sent an important signal to the gaming trusts that deserted the sport following a number of high-profile fraud scandals.

"A huge part of our job has been restoring credibility and trust in our relationships - 18 months down the track we can safely say we have done that," Carter said.

The $1 million a year Sparc funding was a fifth of the total required to grow the game at all levels, Carter said. Securing ongoing funding from Sparc was crucial, he said, as was maximising commercial opportunities and re-engaging with the gaming trusts.

A three-and-a-half year broadcasting deal with Sky, longer-term sponsorship deals and gaming trust money would make up the remaining $4 million.

"The critical part of the Sparc funding is the signal of confidence it sends out to the gaming trusts," Carter said. "The major trusts are very keen to re-engage in talks with us. That is the critical part of the next period."

The restructure hasn't all been plain sailing, however, with a Sunday newspaper reporting the Auckland Rugby League had refused to sign off on the new constitution over fears the NZRL had designs on money reaped from the sale of Carlaw Park.

Carter insisted that wasn't the case and said the NZRL was keen to allay the ARL's fears over the future of the Carlaw Heritage Trust Fund.

"We've never had any such intention," Carter said. "What we do have is a reasonable expectation that those trust funds in Auckland district will continue to fund the game activities that they always have.

"While we are very mindful of listening to Auckland we are also mindful that these reforms are about the health of the game nationwide.

"We have to make sure that Auckland remains in concert with the rest of the country - Auckland is not an island."