The Australian Rugby Football League Board of Control (later the
Australian Rugby League) was formed in December 1924 to administer the running
of the Kangaroos.
George Ball was the first secretary of the Board and John La Maro the first
chairman. Prior to this time, international rugby league was organised by the
NSWRL and the QRL boards, with the host state having preference over the team
and the colours of the national side.
The ARL’s board was primarily based from the NSWRL offices in Sydney up until 1984 when the organisation was
incorporated as a separate legal entity.Ken Arthurson was the first executive chairman of the newly establish organisation.
In 1995, the ARL took responsibility for the running of the major national
competition, the Winfield Cup from the NSWRL.The national competition, also known as the Optus Cup, was run directly by
the ARL until the completion of the 1997 season when the National Rugby League
partnership was formed.
The ARL still remains today, the peak body for Rugby League in Australia, running the Kangaroo (National team),
State of Originand Affiliated States Championship.The
ARL also plays a significant role in the running of the National Rugby League competition
and the operations of Rugby League in each state of Australia.
