THERE are plenty of reasons to feel optimistic about what the new rugby league year will bring.

OPTIMISM and confidence are important assets in any field of endeavour, and both rugby league and the Former Origin Greats have plenty of each going into season 2013.

Rugby league takes its first steps into a brand new era in the new year, with a new CEO at the NRL, but more importantly, a defined roadmap of where the game is headed for the foreseeable future.

The term “strategic plan” was used so often over the course of the past few seasons, without ever being seen, that it began taking on mythical proportions like the Loch Ness monster.

Eventually, people got so tired of waiting for its arrival, that it seemed to fall off the game’s radar all together.

Now, not only is it back as a discussion point, but it has been constructed and its implementation is underway.

Things like the unification of the game’s branding may seem like an insignificant step, but for league – that for years has had nearly as many chiefs as Indians under the various governing bodies of the game – it is a major achievement.

The appointment of David Smith as the new NRL CEO was a bold decision, given his lack of any previous ties to the game, and has drawn a level of criticism because of it.

But his appointment should also be seen as another slate being wiped clean.

In Smith, the game has an established and successful businessman who knows how to run big organisations.

But most importantly, he doesn’t come with any baggage – he has no ties to any club, organisation or individual within the game. The decisions he makes will be based on what is the best for the business of rugby league.

Behind him, Smith will have the Australian Rugby League Commission, which under the chairmanship of John Grant, has already shown what rugby league has been missing on the leadership front by taking so long to get its house in order.

The Commission has had a lot on its plate in the first year since its inception, with the negotiation of the broadcast rights a crucial victory that has given the game a terrific foundation to build on for the future.

There of course remains much to do, like working out how best to spend that money, and plot a course through the difficult negotiations around the salary cap and player payments.

But with experienced leadership, that money will not be spent on short-term gains – rather it will be used as an investment in the future to help the game reach its great potential.

Here at the FOGS, we too have been doing our strategic planning on how to build a better future for Queenslanders.

The incredible success of our Achieving Results Through Education (ARTIE) Program, and the continuing excellence of the FOGS Indigenous Employment and Careers Expos are the product of a great deal of planning and hard work from everyone involved.

Both of these programs are making a very real difference to the lives of a number of young Queenslanders, who may have otherwise found themselves caught in the cycle of a poor education and wasted opportunity.

Through these programs, these kids are now inspired to achieve, and to build a better life for themselves by following the leadership of our many specialised staff, tutors and former players, who use their profile and popularity to help get the best out of these kids.

The two programs have performed phenomenally well, and continue the ideology established by our Founding Chairman, Dick “Tosser” Turner, that the popularity of the FOGS be used for the betterment of Queensland, to inspire great deeds, and to assist those that need a hand.

Tosser passed the torch to the great Arthur Beetson who, as a player, coach and legend of the game, inspired generations to get the best out of themselves.

Arthur was very proud of the contribution FOGS have been able to make to help Indigenous communities, and Queensland as a whole – two of the things closest to the great man’s heart.

When that enormous heart suddenly gave out in late 2011 and took Arthur from us, we were once again left with the void – like we were with Tosser – of having to carry on without the direction of a terrific leader.

But among the great legacies both men left for us was the strategic plan of continuing the work of ensuring that everyone in this great state feels it is great to be a Queenslander.

Tosser and Artie may be gone, but they will never be forgotten.

Our successes with FOGS and our work in the community will also ensure that those that never had the privilege to meet them, may be inspired to achieve by following their lead – just like those lucky enough to call them friends.

Gene Miles
Executive Chairman