Quinn also said he wants to see more of NRL clubs, in the wake of Mortimer’s plea to The Daily Advertiser for the country not to be forgotten.

“I believe they (commissioners) understand it to a degree, but I would like to see more contact made with regional areas to gain a first-hand look at some of the issues regional NSW faces,” Quinn said.

Quinn is preparing to meet with NRL CEO Todd Greenberg to discuss more competition games in regional areas from 2018, following the axing of the Country-City clash after next year.

“This can be offset by the addition of more NRL games played in areas that need it the most,” Quinn said. 

“If you took Johnathan Thurston and the North Queensland Cowboys or Shaun Johnson and the Warriors to regional areas, the people would love it as they’re not exposed to these players every week.

“It has to be done at no-expense to the region. The game will take as much as it provides and clubs could make a real difference by spending a few days engaging with regional communities.”

NRL clubs are in dispute with the Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) over a promised $100 million a year in additional funding. 

In 2015, ARLC payments to clubs exceeded $150 million dollars while distributions to states (which includes the CRL) totalled $28 million.

But Quinn said an independent commission has been good for the sport and noted the CRL has had some increases in funding in its time.

The body representing country NSW is not a voting member of the ARLC but has a participation agreement with the Commission and pitches for its funding in the same way as the NSWRL and QRL.

“We’re quite comfortable with the process, as we are able to present our case on a yearly basis,” Quinn said.

“We don’t receive all of the funding we require, but we do get a fair hearing in front of the commission.”

He said the CRL’s funding priorities are to grow the game’s playing base, provide pathways for regional players aiming for the top and resources to support volunteers.

And the organisation proudly points to its participation figures: 

“People mainly focus on the top end of the game, but our junior numbers have been very, very strong, our senior numbers have remained consistent and female participation in our game continues to grow at a phenomenal rate,” Quinn said.