Guest Columnist David Howes: Super League’s top players need golden handcuffs deals

The popular perception of this role, currently practised by about 20 people all licensed by the RFL, is of ‘Mr Five Per Cent’, securing deals for the benefit of their clients and their own bank balance.

But being a rugby league A-lister – agent and aficionado – has its particular pressures.

Next October will mark my 40th anniversary in professional rugby league, having joined the RFL in 1974 as the first-ever public relations officer in a 20-year stay at Chapeltown Road; serving St Helens as chief executive for three years from 1995; before joining Leeds Rugby Ltd as managing director for a five-year stint on the boards of Headingley Stadium, Leeds Rhinos RL and the then LeedsTykes RU.

However, since November 2002 I have worn the coat of Howes Etc, plus many hats including player management, event management, public relations, sponsorship and speaking duties.

Thus while the client, be it player, coach or conditioner, is of paramount importance, my background of service to my personal passion since childhood, means the game of rugby league has to be taken into consideration.

There is no bigger dilemma at present than the attraction of top-rated rugby league talent away from the ring-fenced fields of Super League to the richer pastures of the NRL Down Under or rugby union in England or France.

As a perceived mercenary of agency commission, the decision should be easy – simply chase the dollar, pound or Euro.

During my decade in player management, the biggest personal deal was to take Gareth Ellis from Leeds Rhinos to face the challenge of the NRL and a new lifestyle in Sydney with Wests Tigers. At that time he was the only Super League player being transplanted Down Under.

Suddenly the floodgates are open, the latest and most high-profile ever being superstar Sam Tomkins, who joins New Zealand Warriors in the NRL next season.

In rugby union, Kyle Eastmond has made his debut for England in recent months.

It is acknowledged that NRL experience hones the British talent for the international scene.

However, my personal worry is that the wholesale departure of X-Factor playing personnel will dilute the standard of play and public appeal within the domestic game and at a time when Super League is battling to maximise sponsorship and gate revenue, against a backcloth of diminishing national media coverage. It is only fair that a player has the freedom to move around the world to fulfil his player and financial ambitions.

But all the current discussions within the RFL and Super League executive forums have to unlock a league structure which attracts the paying customer – preferably not heavily discounted – from the ranks of both existing and, imperatively, new customers.

And the authorities may have to put golden handcuffs on their star players by introducing a salary cap dispensation for a marquee player. Thus, as long as the club can afford to make the payment, the likes of up-and-coming Yorkshire stars such as Kallum Watkins, Ben Crooks, Tom Lineham and John Bateman, can be secured to Super League.