As of next season, all NRL contracted players who are 20 years or younger will have to complete at least eight hours of education or work a week from February to October to be eligible for NRL team selection. | sarah_keoghan
Mr Heptonstall said that despite some backlash from clubs, "most" were in agreement with the new rule.
"If you've only got one pillar in your life and it's only footy, and that's not going well, you'll fall over."About 113 players are expected to be affected by the new rule. This year, 14 per cent of under-20 players were not involved in any work or study, and therefore would, under the new rule, be deemed as ineligible to play.
For each player a career plan must be developed and signed off by the NRL. Exemptions will be available for clubs where the player is affected by short turnarounds, excessive travel, representative selection or a final series. "There's some great opportunities and some of the things you see and get to do within the game, we're all privileged to be a part of that," he said.
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