ARL Chair Grant, CEO Smith To Discuss Funding With Politicians In Canberra

Australian Rugby League Commission Chair John Grant and CEO Dave Smith will "begin their quest to ensure the game has the same access to government funding" as the Australian Football League when they meet politicians in Canberra on Wednesday, according to Brad Walter of the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD. Grant will meet with PM Julia Gillard, while Smith will meet with federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and Communications Minister Stephen Conroy. The meetings have been planned for weeks and "will focus on government funding for a range of issues, from community work to stadium development" to providing more resources for the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority's investigation into National Rugby League and AFL clubs. Development of a third major stadium in Sydney's west "has been mooted" and Smith said that it would be "one issue on the agenda" (SMH, 3/13).