Player agents have been given until Dec. 14 to join the National Rugby League's new accreditation scheme "or face the possibility of losing some of their biggest names." NRL COO Nick Weeks sent all agents a letter informing them that the new system would come into effect Dec. 1, and granted a two-week grace period to "sign up or be forced to undergo a rigorous process to reapply." It is understood the NRL believes agents who fail to meet the deadline "risk their players going on the open market" because their accreditation would no longer be recognized by the governing body (THE AUSTRALIAN, 11/25).
Great Britain is "one of more than 15 leading swimming nations" that have defied global swim execs and "deliberately breached outdated rules" by backing a breakaway Int'l Swimming League in its "struggle to end the monopoly of their sport by FINA." British Swimming revealed it has held talks with "non-affiliated body" ISL. Despite FINA's "resistance to change," Britain's federation intends to "work closely with our swimmers, LEN [European federation], FINA, ISL and the other national federations to ensure the sport continues to evolve" (LONDON TIMES, 11/24).
Michael Cheika will front the Rugby Australia board on Dec. 10 "as rumours swirl of growing disquiet in the Wallabies' dressing room" and potential coaching replacements "jockey for position." It is understood concerns of a "double standard on team discipline" led captain Michael Hooper to "front Cheika last week about the incident involving Adam Ashley-Cooper and Kurtley Beale in Wales almost 10 days after the fact" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 11/25).
