It is time RL had a union run by players – Peacock

Peacock’s new Super League Players’ Association, called 1eague3 (pronounced League 13), will be officially launched next Monday.

The new body say they have membership applications from 75 per cent of professional players from the 14 Super League clubs but they have been condemned by the GMB trade union, which claims to represent more than 800 rugby league players across the leagues.

Geoff Burrow, head of the GMB’s Rugby League Players’ Association and father of Peacock’s Leeds Rhinos’ team-mate Rob Burrow, said: “GMB is angry and disappointed at the announcement of a breakaway group.

“I am accusing those behind it of trying to create an elitist organisation that has no experience, no skills or any back-up to look after players’ interests.”

Peacock, who has always played an active role in the governance of the game, countered yesterday: “We’re very positive about what we’re going to bring to the game.

“We had an independent ballot of all the players in Super League and 94 per cent of them wanted an association run by the players, for the players.

“We want to work with the Rugby Football League and the clubs to try to make the game better for everybody, not just ourselves.

“We have ideas as players that can improve the game for everybody involved in the sport.”

Player welfare is high on the agenda for 1eague3 with Peacock raising questions over how such an important issue has been dealt with in the past.

“We don’t just want an association that turns up when there’s a crisis. We want to be pro-active,” he said.

“What we’re doing is looking after the welfare of players and their interests within the game.

“Rugby league players need to understand that you have a 10-year career and then you go and adjust to a new life.

“That’s not been brought to the fore by any union previously.

“The GMB have done some good things for rugby league, but there’s things they haven’t done well and we’re looking to take up that slack.

“Every other team sport has a players union run by the players and it’s time rugby league did.”