Is Your Club Built For Success… Or Built For Image?
- John Fadel
- May 3
- 4 min read
Updated: May 6
Introduction - Club built for Success
Don’t judge a club by its logo.
Big names.
Bright lights.
Fancy jerseys.
Big social media followings.
It means nothing…
unless you look deeper.
Because not every club is built for success.
Some clubs are built for image.
And if players and parents don’t understand the difference…
they can sign into the wrong system.
And that can cost careers.
Links to NRLW Full-Time and Expansion
Follow The Money
This is the biggest clue.
Follow the money.
Where is it being spent?
On:
players?
coaches?
facilities?
development?
marketing?
executive bonuses?
Money tells a story.
And if you know what to look for…
you can see the truth.
Link to Why Top NRL coaches Fail in NRLW
Are The Right People Being Paid?
Are the right people earning the money?
Or are the wrong people taking the biggest slice?
Ask yourself:
Are people earning:
big wages
nice cars
overseas trips
bonuses
…while players struggle?
That’s a real question.
Because if players are:
under-supported
under-developed
under-equipped
…then where is the money going?
Look Behind The Shell
People often look at first-grade NRL players and think the club is thriving.
And yes…
those top-tier players are often looked after.
The inner circle is looked after.
The core group is travelling.
The key staff are looked after.
And there’s nothing wrong with that.
But look deeper.
What’s happening behind that shell?
What’s happening to:
pathways players
junior development
women’s programs
recovery systems
coaching structures
That tells the real story.
Link to How NRLW Player Management Works
Are They Investing In The Girls… Or Just Protecting Headlines?
This is where it gets uncomfortable.
Clubs are starting to spend more on the boys’ systems.
That’s obvious.
But are they spending the same money on the girls?
Or are they simply spending enough to avoid bad headlines?
Enough to silence criticism?
Enough to say they support the women’s game…
without truly investing in it?
That’s the difference.
Are They Investing In Growth? Or is the club built for success?
Good clubs spend money to make money.
That means investing in:
better systems
better coaching
better development
stronger assets
The goal should be growth.
Not survival.
Not image.
Growth.
Only a few clubs are doing this properly right now.
Link to Why 80% of NRLW Players Fail
Is The Club Overspending On Players?
This is controversial.
But it matters.
Are players overpaid and underperforming?
Or are the funds being balanced correctly?
Because if too much money is tied into the wrong players…
other areas suffer.
And the whole system weakens.
That’s reality.
Facilities Tell The Real Story
Facilities expose everything.
Look at:
gym
recovery
dressing rooms
resources
equipment
Parents and players need to physically see this.
Before signing.
Don’t sign a contract blindly.
Ask:
Will I be developed here?
Will I be looked after if I get injured?
What does recovery look like?
What resources are in place?
These questions matter.
Don’t Just Sign A Contract
A contract means nothing if the environment is wrong.
You need to ask:
Am I in the right place?
Will this club prepare me?
Will this club develop me?
Will this club protect me?
Or am I just another number?
What A Winning Club Looks Like
Winning clubs have:
culture
systems
standards
leadership
development
Culture matters.
History matters.
Respect matters.
Some clubs were built by people who played for free…
or next to nothing…
just to build the badge.
Does the club still honour that?
Or has it forgotten?
Culture Creates Performance
You can see players underperforming…
until something from the old culture returns.
An old player speaks.
An old story is told.
An old standard is introduced.
And suddenly…
players perform.
That proves what culture really does.
Who Are The Leaders?
Leadership matters.
Who controls the direction?
Is it the board?
Is it politics?
Or is it people who genuinely believe in growth and getting the best out of players?
That matters.
What Development Program Is In Place?
Ask:
What is the development system?
Who runs it?
What is the pathway?
What is the progression?
If the club can’t answer that clearly…
be careful.
Social Media vs Reality
A club’s social presence can be misleading.
Everything can look amazing online.
Trips.
Events.
Executives smiling.
Fancy meetings.
And I’m a fan of presentation.
That’s not the problem.
The problem is when:
money is being spent on appearance…
while development systems are underfunded.
Or players lack equipment.
That’s when image becomes a problem.
Final Word
One of my biggest frustrations in rugby league is this.
You may have a successful club.
Successful players.
Successful coaches.
A boardroom that is aligned.
A club attracting sponsors.
And everyone sharing in that success.
That’s great.
But here’s the question…
What are you doing with the money?
Because success should not just mean:
luxury living
executive bonuses
overseas trips
flashy appearances
Success should mean reinvestment.
Reinvestment into:
pathways
growth
equipment
development
better coaches
better systems
better conditions
When clubs can provide all of that…
no one complains.
Because players feel valued.
Families feel supported.
And the future feels protected.
This money should be spent on culture.
Spent on building players.
Spent on giving athletes everything they need to become better.
That’s why strong KPIs matter.
Players should perform.
Staff should perform.
Systems should perform.
And clubs should allow for:
injuries
recovery
setbacks
growth
A smart club has a core group of decision-makers who know how to spend wisely.
Who know how to tick every box.
Because attracting juniors is everything.
Without juniors…
you do not have a club.
Without juniors…
you do not protect the future of the game.
And if you’re serious about growth…
you need to treat the girls the same way you treat the boys.
That means:
better coaches
better systems
better facilities
better conditions
Because equality isn’t words.
It’s investment.
And investment builds winners.
Contact us at EXCEL Sports
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