16 Dec 2015

NRL squad sizes set to be increased

6:36 am on 16 December 2015

There will be a ban on players making their debut in the National Rugby League until they're 19 years old under new proposals set to be implemented in 2017.

NRL squads could also be increased to 36 players among several changes being considered by rugby league's governing body.

The process by which young players are signed by clubs would also change, with each team allowed to sign three rookies each season on two-year contracts.

Each club's 36-member squad, up from the current 25, would then include six players on rookie contracts.

Meanwhile, additional leave would be granted to players, and a formal international window implemented through an eight-year period.

The plan, drawn up by the Head of Game Strategy and Development, Shane Richardson, is designed to improve player welfare and pathways, upgrade and strengthen the second tier and assist in protecting elite players from burnout.

Shane Richardson of the NRL

Shane Richardson of the NRL. Photo: Supplied

A national reserve-grade system will be implemented in the form of a northern and southern conference, while the current under-20s competition would revert back to state-based competitions.

A committee would decide how to best determine the make-up of teams.

"We want to give everyone the opportunity to play in the NRL whether they come from the country, New Zealand, the affiliated states, Pacific or anywhere else in the world of rugby league," said Richardson.

"This strategy is not intended to squeeze anyone out of the game - it is designed to include more participants than ever before."

"We want to give everyone the opportunity to play in the NRL whether they come from the country, New Zealand, the affiliated states, Pacific or anywhere else in the world of rugby league," Richardson said.