League: Sparc announces $3 million funding boost

New Zealand Rugby League (NZRL) has ticked all the boxes for government sports funding agence Sparc, which today announced a three-year, $3 million investment in the sport.

Sparc chief executive Peter Miskimmin said the investment reflected Sparc's confidence in the work NZRL had done to implement the recommendations of the independent review chaired by Sir John Anderson.

It is the largest single investment by the government in rugby league in the history of the sport in New Zealand.

"NZRL has produced a sound strategic plan and put the structures in place which will boost the sport across the country and make it sustainable," Miskimmin said.

"Sparc's investment will help continue that early momentum and allow rugby league to get on with reviving the sport nationwide."

In the past 12 months, NZRL has adopted a new constitution, appointed a fresh board and established a national seven-zone structure.

Miskimmin said the funding was to help kick-start rugby league at grassroots level around the country by ensuring the seven zones are properly resourced.

"NZRL has worked hard to honour its commitment to the recommendations of the independent review. That work is paying dividends with growing confidence in the sport funding sector such as gaming trusts, to invest in rugby league in the future," Miskimmin said.

NZRL chairman Scott Carter welcomed Sparc's announcement.

"This is another important step in the process as we strive to rebuild the game and create a healthy future," he said.

"As an organisation we have worked hard to implement the recommendations made by the Sir John Anderson Report following the independent review of rugby league across the country."

Carter said Sparc's money would be used directly to strengthen clubs, districts and zones by providing coaching and development and management resources in each of the NZRL's seven zones.

"We've received a lot of support from around the country for the changes we've made and now, with this funding, we will be in a position to sustain these reforms," he said.