THE NRL has thrown its long-term support behind the QRL and its statewide competitions.

All Intrust Super Cup club CEOs gathered yesterday for a phone hook-up with Australian Rugby League Commission chairman Peter V’landys and NRL interim chief executive Andrew Abdo, to discuss the QRL’s involvement in the NRL’s seven-year financial plan.

Mackay Cutters CEO Maurie Fatnowna was relieved to hear V’landys’ plan to continue top-down funding of the second-tier competition.

“He understands the value of the QRL competition, particularly as a pathway,” Fatnowna said.

“To hear that from the man himself was very exciting for the future.”

The details of the financial plan were not discussed in-depth but Fatnowna said the gist was the state competitions would be supported.

“The NRL is cutting costs. From Mr V’landys mouth the ‘nice to haves’ will go and the things that are working and beneficial to the game will remain,” he said.

The Mackay CEO said to hear the news directly from the executives and not a third party was a confidence boost.

“It gave us the confidence to plan for oncoming football. Sometimes in these uncertain times it was difficult to see the light,” he said.