Awards & Honours Policy /

Parramatta National Rugby League Club – Awards and Honours Policy (the “Policy”) 

1. Overview

The Parramatta National Rugby League Club (“PNRL or the Club”) recognises and celebrates the achievements and commitment of those who have laid the foundation that underpins and supports the Club’s foundations. 

2. Purpose

The purpose of this Policy is to outline the criteria and establish protocols when bestowing the Club’s Awards and Honours. 

3. Scope

This Policy applies to all past, present and future Club employees, players, coaches, officials and volunteers. 

4. Awards & Honours

This policy is designed to cover the following Awards and Honours:

• Life Membership (Section 6)
• Hall of Fame (Section 7)
• Champion of Parramatta (Section 8)
• Club Patron (Section 9)
• No.1 Ticket Holder (Section 10)
• Name on Locker (Section 11)
• Black Armbands (Section 12) 

The criteria set out in this Policy are eligibility criteria only and do not automatically qualify the individual for an Award or Honour.  In all instances, the documented approval process must be followed for the eligible candidate to be granted an Award or Honour. To be eligible for any Award under this Policy a person must be of general good fame and character, prior, during and post their involvement with the Club.  The Board reserves the right to withdraw any Award or Honour granted under this policy where this is compromised. 

5. Awards & Honours Sub-Committee 

A sub-committee will be appointed by the Board to consider and make recommendations on candidates to be considered by the Board for Life Membership and induction to the Hall of Fame, based on the criteria set out in this Policy.  

Candidates considered for Life Membership and / or the Hall of Fame must be approved by all Board members. 

Recognition of Life Membership or induction to the Hall of Fame will take place at the Club’s annual presentation night (the Ken Thornett Medal).  The Board may elect to appoint a person to Life Membership or the Hall of Fame at any other time.

The first sub-committee will consist of the CEO, two independent PNRL board members, one member of the Hall of Fame, and one Life Member.  The Board may change the sub-committee at any time at its discretion. 

6. Life Membership

Life Membership of the Club had its origins in the original Football Club entity – the Parramatta District Rugby League Club (PDRL). The constitutional reforms to the Club in 2016 saw the rights of PDRL Life Members transferred across to PNRL. The thirteen perpetual Members from PDRL were not included in the transfer of Life Member rights. 

6.1 Definitions 

(a) “NRL” means the National Rugby League premiership which was formed in 1998. 
(b) “NRLW” means the National Rugby League Women’s premiership which commenced in 2018. 
(c) “ARL” means the Australian Rugby League premiership which was formed in 1995 and was renamed the NRL premiership in 1998.  
(d) “NSWRL” means the New South Wales Rugby League premiership which was formed in 1908 and was renamed the ARL premiership in 1995. 

6.2 Eligibility Criteria - Life Members 

6.2.1 The Life Membership Eligibility Criteria for NRL players is set out in this clause 6.2.1.  A person who is considered for Life Membership is a person who: 

(a) Has rendered service to the Club for a period of not less than 10 years as a player on the Club’s NRL list; or 
(b) Has played a minimum of 200 NRL / ARL / NSWRL matches for the Club; or

 (c) Has played a minimum of 100 NRL / ARL / NSWRL matches for the Club and is an NRL / ARL / NSWRL premiership player for the Club (being a player who played in a winning grand final team). 

6.2.2 The Life Membership Eligibility Criteria for NRLW players is set out in this clause 6.2.2.  A person who is considered for Life Membership is a person who: 

(a) Has rendered service to the Club for a minimum of 8 seasons as a player on the Club’s NRLW list; or

(b) Has played a minimum of 30 NRLW games and is a NRLW premiership player for the Club (being a player who played in a winning NRLW grand final team). 

6.2.3 The Life Membership Eligibility Criteria for individuals who have provided service to the Club is set out in this clause 6.2.3.  A person who is considered for Life Membership is: 

(a) A person who has rendered outstanding service to the Club for a minimum of 10 years consecutive (subject to the below), such period being comprised of any of, or any combination of the following: 

(i) service as a Director for the maximum permissible tenure, such tenure determined in accordance with the terms of the PNRL Constitution; 

(ii) provided service to, or for the benefit of the Club in a management or employee position in either administration or football; and / or

(iii) service as a player on the Club’s NRL / ARL / NSWRL or NRLW list and / or NRL or NRLW Development Squad List.

(b) a person who, in the Board’s opinion, has rendered service to the Club for a minimum of 3 years and provided outstanding or special service to the Club in some capacity which may include but is not limited to: 

(i) the senior coach of an NRL / ARL / NSWRL premiership team; or 

(ii) the senior coach of an NRLW premiership team; or 

(iii) a recipient of the Dally M Player of the Year Award or the Golden Boot Award; or

(iv) a recipient of the NRLW’s Player of the Year Award. 

(c) any other person who has provided outstanding service to, or for the benefit of the Club for a period of not less than 20 years; or 

(d) any other person that the PNRL Board (the “Board”) determines appropriate from time to time. 

6.3 Life Members are entitled to receive the following benefits: 

• Name on Life Member honour board at the Club’s permanent Centre of Excellence.
• Two tickets to each Parramatta Eels Home Game.
• Priority Access to Eels Finals Games.
• Invitation to Annual Life Member Event.
  
  Life Membership is not transferable. For absolute clarity it does not transfer to a spouse and/or descendants. 

7. Hall of Fame

The Parramatta Eels Hall of Fame was introduced in 2002 and originally included a ‘best ever’ team of 13 players from the club’s first 55 years.  Since that time, Hall of Fame members have been added at the discretion of the Board.  

7.1 Eligibility

To be eligible for induction into the Hall of Fame, a nominee must have demonstrated a sustained period of excellence at their craft. Induction to the Hall of Fame is applicable to players and coaches only.  The combined accomplishments and service as a player and coach will be considered for eligibility purposes.  

7.2 Player and Coach Criteria

In assessing eligibility, consideration will be given to the following criteria as they relate to the NRL / ARL / NSWRL and NRLW competitions: 

• Games played or coached;
• Grand finals won as a player or coach;
• Individual honours including Dally M Player of the Year and Club Player of the Year Awards.
• Representative honours whilst a player at the Club, including State of Origin and Tier 1 Internationals;
• Seasons played as the permanently appointed captain;
• Other relevant achievements or considerations. 

In determining the relative eligibility of players and coaches, a scoring system is to be adopted pursuant to which points are allocated to each criteria in accordance with the following matrix: 

As a guide, a minimum of 25 points should be accumulated for consideration for Hall of Fame eligibility, noting that Board discretion may be exercised where this is not the case. 
Players must have retired for a minimum of 3 years and coaches must have concluded their coaching tenure with the Club before they are eligible for nomination as inductees into the Hall of Fame.  Players or coaches who have passed away may be considered for posthumous appointment to the Hall of Fame.  

7.3 Hall of Fame Benefits

Hall of Fame Members receive the following benefits:

• Acknowledgement on the Hall of Fame at new Centre of Excellence.
• Two tickets to each Parramatta Eels Home Game (in addition to their Life Member tickets).
• Priority Access to Eels Finals Game.
• Invitation to Ken Thornett Medal each year.
  Hall of Fame benefits are not transferable. For absolute clarity it does not transfer to a spouse and/or descendants.
  Any Hall of Fame inductee will automatically be recognized as a Life Member, if they have not already been awarded that honour. 

8. Champion of Parramatta 

8.1 Eligibility

To be eligible for Champion of Parramatta status, nominees must be existing members of the Hall of Fame and have rendered exceptional service to the Club exceeding that required to be inducted into the Hall of Fame.

8.2 Process  

As a rule, the number of Champions should not exceed 15% of the total inductees of the Hall of Fame. The number of Champions and the frequency of induction ceremonies are at the discretion of the Board. Champions of Parramatta inductees are appointed by the Board in its absolute discretion but may consider nominations made to the Board by a sub-committee. 

9. Club Patron

A person who provides significant, enduring, material support to the Club and / or who has very high standing or profile in the community and who would bring interest, prestige or assist in popularising the Club among existing members and the community. 
Patrons are appointed by at the sole discretion of the Board. 
The tenure of the Club Patron will be determined at the date of appointment. 
The number of Club Patron’s, at any one time, is at the discretion of the Board. 

10. Number 1 Ticket Holder

A person who provides significant material support to the Club and / or who has a very high standing or profile in the community which would bring interest, prestige or assist in popularising the Club among existing members and the community. 
Number 1 Ticket Holders are appointed by the Board and are to be reviewed on an annual basis. 

11. Name on Locker 

In the permanent Centre of Excellence, all players will be allocated lockers in both the dedicated NRL and NRLW locker room. To be eligible to have their name permanently on a locker, the player must meet one of the following criteria:

• Played 150 NRL / ARL / NSWRL games for the Club;
• Played 50 NRLW games for the Club;
• Club Player of the Year Award winner;
• Two time NRL / ARL / NSWRL or NRLW Player of the Year Award winners;
• Captains who have been appointed by the Club for a minimum of two regular seasons.
• Is a member of the Hall of Fame.
  The CEO must approve the placing of names on lockers, with such approval to be advised to the Board. 

12. Black Armbands

One of the following criteria must be met for the wearing of black armbands to be approved:

• Current or former players and coaches;
• The immediate family of current players and coaches or as directed by the NRL. Immediate family refers to parents, siblings, husband, wife, partner or children;
• At the discretion of the CEO. 
  Where the death occurs during the non-playing season, black armbands are to be worn in the first home or away game of the following season.  
  The CEO must approve the wearing of black armbands.  Individual players may wear black arm bands with the approval of the CEO.  

13. Review of Awards and Honours Holders

The Board of the Club reserves the right to do the following:

• Amend the policy at any time, with the approval of at least 5 of 7 directors; or
• Withdraw an award at any time, with the approval of every Board member.