Player revolt forces governing body intervention
Female rugby league players at Canberra's Woden Valley Rams considered walking away from the club en masse after it attempted to reappoint a coach who had been removed just one year earlier over allegations of inappropriate conduct. The dramatic player revolt has prompted the sport's governing body to take unprecedented action, with Canberra Region Rugby League confirming they will refuse to register Ashley Barnes as coach for the 2026 season.
Secret conditions and club response
The Rams had quietly reappointed Barnes as head coach with a series of strict conditions attached to his contract. These secret clauses included a complete ban on alcohol consumption at official club functions and clear boundaries regarding communication with female players. The contract specifically prohibited Barnes from initiating one-on-one contact or personal communications via social media with players.
Additionally, the club conducted an internal review and implemented new policies, including clear guidelines about men entering female change rooms. Regular progress meetings with the Canberra Region Rugby League were also mandated as part of the reappointment conditions.
Governing body takes decisive action
The situation escalated when NSW Rugby League chief executive David Trodden confirmed they had received concerning reports about Barnes' behaviour. These reports were forwarded to ACT Policing in accordance with mandatory reporting obligations within community rugby league guidelines.
CRRL general manager Mark Vergano formally notified the Woden Valley club on Tuesday that Barnes would not be registered for the 2026 season. The decision was made under both the NSWRL code of conduct and the NRL code of conduct, referencing terms and conditions of registration from 2024.
Despite the Rams' insistence that Barnes wasn't sacked thirteen months ago - merely not re-signed after guiding the team to a preliminary final - the controversy has created significant division within the club. Some Katrina Fanning Shield players investigated moving the entire team to another club before ultimately deciding to remain with the Rams, though individual departures remain possible.
The Rams chairman Steve Hicks maintained the club's position, stating simply that Barnes has been appointed for 2026 and expressing hope for success in the club's 60th anniversary season. Barnes himself did not respond to multiple attempts by The Canberra Times to contact him for comment.
