Though theyโve come under both for their lack of a marquee signature and their efforts to secure one, NRL CEO Andrew Abdo says the NRL are โincredibly impressedโ with the commercial and squad strength of the NRLโs newest club as they prepare to debut in 2023.
Abdo addressed the media beside Dolphins coach Wayne Bennett and chief executive Terry Reader, praising the clubโs progress since the licence was awarded in October, 2021.
โWe got an update and presentation from the leadership of the club and I am really impressed with the work they have done off-field as well as their plans for the long-term,โ Abdo said.
โAll of it is in alignment with the ambition for introducing a 17th team into the competition.
โThis was always about growth (and) the acquisition of new fans and the development of new players across rugby league.โ
As well as a sound strategy for the immediate future, Abdo said he was most impressed by the clubโs long-term vision, including pathways, game development, community engagement and commercial initiatives.
โA key part of the presentation looked at how the club is tracking from a commercial sense, and the strong portfolio of sponsors the club has managed to secure. .
โThere has been a huge take up from members which will hopefully translate into significant attendance across the stadiums the club has planned for their fixtures next year.
โThe club is in incredible shape. Itโs a strong business with strong assets.
โWeโre incredibly impressed with the progress that has been made.โ
Meanwhile Reader claimed the clubโs early success has justified the decision to award the licence to Redcliffe.
โWeโre very proud of the commercial program the club has built,โ Reader said.
โThereโs an appetite for rugby league here. There are a lot of corporate partners who havenโt been able to invest in rugby league because of the strength of the main side in Brisbane, which now has a major competitor.โ
Bennett went on to admit that while recruitment has proved challenging, securing Kristian Woolf as an assistant and likely future NRL head coach leaves just a few missing pieces โ with a focus on prolific outside backs.
โIt hasnโt been perfect, but it was never going to be perfect,โ Bennett said of the clubโs recruitment efforts.
โWeโre not going to be a perfect football team and weโll have our moments โ but weโre pretty close to where we want to be.
โKristian (Woolf) has done his coaching apprenticeship which gives him the best chance as a head coach. I like his credentials.
โI donโt know him personally well, but heโll be ready. Iโll handle a lot in the short term to let him come in to the group, but Iโm confident heโll get the job done and the club has backed him to take over (from me).โ
