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Waratahs feeling the pain - photo by Oscar Jimenez
The NSW Waratahs CEO Jim L’Estrange has told The Roar that he is happy to provide detailed answers to 10 questions put to him by readers of The Roar. This follows the successful Q and A session on The Roar by the ARU CEO John O’Neill.
Like O’Neill, at the time, L’Estrange is going into a challenging season with the Waratahs.
There was widespread disenchantment with the style of play of the Waratahs. The Super 14 schedule this season does not include a home derby match. As the NSWRU is dependent on gates receipts there is a possibility that the fall-off in crowds might be continued.
To its credit, the NSWRU has set up a separate board for the Waratahs to maximise their interests in Super Rugby.
This season, too, is the last Super 14 tournament. In 2011 each SANZAR country will have five teams which will allow for 20 local derbies games. And for 2010 the Waratahs have recruited Berrick Barnes to give the backline, which is full of talented runners, some direction.
What we want to hear from Jim L’Estrange is what plans and policies have been developed to allow the Waratahs to fulfill their destiny, as one of rugby greatest provincial sides since 1882, in winning a Super Rugby title.
So over to readers of The Roar. What are the questions you want Jim L’Estrange to answer? Leave your questions in the comments section below.
(At the end of the week, we will select the best ten questions posted as comments below to be answered by L’Estrange. Interested in this for another code or team? Suggest your Q&A here.)
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- Jim L'Estrange, Rugby Union, Super Rugby, Waratahs
January 11th 2010 @ 5:49pm
megan said | January 11th 2010 @ 5:49pm | Report comment
“Will Berrick Barnes be > > first receiver in the back line ?”
January 11th 2010 @ 6:17pm
T Bone Al said | January 11th 2010 @ 6:17pm | Report comment
The NSWRU sells season ticket packages in advance. Clearly season ticket holders such as life members do not attend every home game of the season, as they may be interstate on business or at say a wedding. Therefore rather than have empty seats, have you considered establishing a members ticket exchange program such as those run by NFL clubs such as the New England Patriots?
January 11th 2010 @ 6:48pm
Pete said | January 11th 2010 @ 6:48pm | Report comment
Is it true Jim that your are Tah Man?
January 11th 2010 @ 7:00pm
Pete said | January 11th 2010 @ 7:00pm | Report comment
On a serious note. Night games and high ticket prices make it difficult to brings kids to Waratah games. What in the NSWRU doing to reach out to the younger fan and their families?
January 13th 2010 @ 11:20pm
Pete said | January 13th 2010 @ 11:20pm | Report comment
I attended the NSW vs. Qld T20 match at ANZ stadium last night. I spent longer travelling there and back than I spent at the game but that’s another story.
There were just under 30,000 spectators. It was quite noticeable the number of families (mum, dad and kids) in attendance. I would guess that ~ 30% of spectators were kids. The reason – tickets were $20 and kids got in free.
There is no way we will fill ANZ when the Tahs play the Brumbies. Why not engage the families by letting kids in free. In the members’ section, member must nominate how many kids are attending for a ‘kid’s ticket’. In non members sections tickets are a flat rate, no seat allocation and kids don’t require a ticket.
Result – fill the stadium. Bring in atmosphere and give all the ANZ detractors (including myself) a positive ANZ/Tahs experience.
The stadium gets their return through all the food the families buy. Everyone wins… including the Tahs on the scoreboard because there is a huge screaming home crowd!
January 13th 2010 @ 11:26pm
rugbyfuture said | January 13th 2010 @ 11:26pm | Report comment
thats a great idea!
January 18th 2010 @ 12:51pm
rugbyfuture said | January 18th 2010 @ 12:51pm | Report comment
http://www.waratahs.com.au/MediaExtranet/News/2010/January/JuniorstoseeHSBCWaratahshomegamesforFREE.aspx
Juniors to see HSBC Waratahs home games for FREE
Monday, 18 January 2010
NSWRU Media Unit
Tickets to the HSBC Waratahs’ six home games in 2010 go on sale tomorrow, with the exciting initiative of allowing registered junior players to see the Tahs play for free.
Clubs will soon receive information detailing how registered junior players can take advantage of the offer which will be redeemable on game days at the Sydney Football Stadium and ANZ Stadium.
“It’s really exciting to announce that in 2010 our junior players will gain free entry to HSBC Waratahs home games during the Super 14,” said Jim L’Estrange, NSWRU chief executive officer. “The juniors pathway is extremely important and most of the Super 14 squad came through this system.
“Not only is it an opportunity to provide a cost-effective way for families to see the HSBC Waratahs, but it is also a fantastic way to reward junior players who are the future of the sport. Some lucky junior players will also get the opportunity to represent their clubs in Walla and Mini Rugby exhibitions before each game as well as taking part in the annual Junior March Past.”
“Each year we try to make it as enticing as possible, and as affordable as possible to come and see the Super 14 and this initiative does just that. We have also been able to keep tickets at the same price point as in 2009.
“The team is preparing extremely well on the training paddock and the lift a home crowd gives them is fantastic, so we’re hoping for a great turnout from our fans in 2010 which will help make a real difference.”
Mr L’Estrange added that a number of initiatives were being undertaken to add value to all people attending home games this season.
“We’re keeping our curtain raisers going again in 2010 and will feature Schools, Golden Oldies, Tooheys New Shute Shield, Suburban v Country and the annual Junior March Past,” said Mr L’Estrange.
“Our first home game against the Sharks is going to be a fantastic occasion with a unique piece of Waratahs merchandise to be given to the first 10,000 people through the gate, kids will be allowed on field after the game and Tah Man will kick off the season with one of his famous entries to the ground.”
The second home game against the Lions will incorporate a Ladies Day function, while the final home game will traditionally remain the charity match with Cerebral Palsy again being the beneficiaries.
“In the coming months we’ll announce something very special we have planned for the Cerebral Palsy fundraising match against the Hurricanes which will give all fans the opportunity to join the HSBC Waratahs in helping this very worthy cause,” said Mr L’Estrange.
Fans can also expect an abundance of activities in the Stadium precincts, Tah Bar, North Pole and Bundy Bar and half-time activities.
Season Memberships also remain open with package information available on the NSW Rugby website.
2010 HSBC WARATAHS TICKET PRICES
Adult – Cat 1: $58, Cat 2: $44, Cat 3: $32, Cat 4: $20
Junior (Age 4-15) – Cat 1: $38, Cat 2: $28, Cat 3: $21, Cat 4: $13
Concession (Tertiary full time student; pensioners) – Cat 1: $46, Cat 2: $35, Cat 3: $26, Cat 4: $16
Family (2 Adult + 2 Junior OR 1 Adult + 3 Junior) Cat 1: n/a, Cat 2: $116, Cat 3: $85, Cat 4: $53
* Registered Junior Players will receive free entry on game day upon redeeming the offer. Tickets will be in the Family Zone in Category 4. Offer only available at Venue Box Offices on game day. For full details, visit: http://www.waratahs.com.au/TicketsEvents/FreeJuniorTicketOffer/FreeJuniorTicketOffer.aspx
January 11th 2010 @ 7:49pm
rugbyfuture said | January 11th 2010 @ 7:49pm | Report comment
is there still interest in the much fabled third tier competition within the NSWRU ranks and is this interest also seen amongst the other unions?
January 11th 2010 @ 8:06pm
sheek said | January 11th 2010 @ 8:06pm | Report comment
If I may initially respond/contribute to comments from both Bay & Yikes, using Bay’s 5 questions as a template.
1. Yes, having clear progression/career pathways is obviously critical. Structures/pillars may need to be changed. Not everyone can become a Wallaby. How do you keep everyone happy who won’t ever be a professional? And how do you get more participants into rugby at all levels?
2. Shute Shield is absolutely essential. It is the last stepping off point before professionalism. But how can SS’s future be reconfigured & protected in the ‘new world order’? Being a regular premier rugby player who won’t ever be a professional or international, is sometimes the worst place to be in.
Like continually finishing fourth! But players must still be able to draw satisfaction from rugby at this level.
3. Yikes has made me see the light here. We can’t force Sydney private schools into metropolitan & country zones. But there is another way – adopt the American College’s system of super playoffs.
Get the GPS, CAS, IAS, ACT & various metropolitan & regional high school champs to put in a super playoff. The top 8 teams divided into two pools of 4, knockout style. Last two teams play the NSW schools super final.
Similar to, but different from, the Waratah Shield. The Kings School might object to playing Northmead High & Epping High in a zone comp, but I’m sure they would be motivated to play them in a super playoffs, with NSW state champion rugby first XV as the ultimate prize. All super playoff matches would be at neutral grounds – suburban stadia.
4. The way schools rugby is structured in private schools, they will have to be taken out of the juniors system. It’s an anomaly that must be accepted in the short to medium term. Perhaps in 20 years resistance will be sufficiently broken to look at other options. But not now. This also goes back to question one. I think variety is essential.
For example, country regional rugby more or less serves the same role as metropolitan suburban rugby. Most rugby players, post high school, will end up in these comps. Their continued participation as ‘social weekend warriors’ is absolutely critical to the ongoing health & vitality of rugby.
5. Yes, there have been accusations of duplicate counting in the past.
January 11th 2010 @ 8:17pm
rugbyfuture said | January 11th 2010 @ 8:17pm | Report comment
private school rugby can never be changed, it is sucha force within the rugby world and seems to work if nothing else seasons run for half the year as it is and these kids play (in some schools have to play) other sports during the summer season then during the holidays alot of them go interstate or overseas for tours.maybe a playoff between the top private school comps over a weekend since there is only two or three associations in the main cities. and if you think that kings slaughters people like grammar they would definitely slaughter epping boys and northmead etc. even aloys and cranbrook have no hope against knox and such
January 11th 2010 @ 8:38pm
Pete said | January 11th 2010 @ 8:38pm | Report comment
I think Westfield Sports High would give Kings a good run…
January 11th 2010 @ 8:40pm
rugbyfuture said | January 11th 2010 @ 8:40pm | Report comment
dont they play league and league only though?
January 11th 2010 @ 9:00pm
Pete said | January 11th 2010 @ 9:00pm | Report comment
RL is definitely more popular … by light years, but they can cobble enough players together to win the Sanix World Schools Rugby Tournament in 2007. The only other Australian schools team to do it in 2000 was… Kings…
http://www.rugby.com.au/get_onside/newsletter/article/070510_feature_two,57495.html/newsletter/57500
I didn’t say they’d beat Kings, but I’d love to watch the contest!
The Hills Sports High who will represent Australia at Sanix in 2010 would also be competitive against them. Have a look at the size of some of those kids in that photo… likely to ruffle a few of the GPS boys!
http://www.blacktownsun.com.au/news/local/sport/general/team-off-to-japan/1623819.aspx
you never know, in the end Kings may offer them a scholarship if they repeat year 12!
Way off topic… sorry Jim!
January 11th 2010 @ 9:46pm
rugbyfuture said | January 11th 2010 @ 9:46pm | Report comment
its good that they play rugby, kings, joeys, view and knox, they can all offer them scholarships, as long as they’re good at music
January 11th 2010 @ 8:39pm
sheek said | January 11th 2010 @ 8:39pm | Report comment
I feel more comfortable making statements. Hopefully Zac & other Roarers can form the appropriate questions from my following statements.
1. Rugby as an entertainment product is struggling big time. We don’t have any control over the laws of the game, that domain is controlled by the IRB. However, it is still incumbent on the NSWRU & other unions to make the product as attractive as they can. The old adage of “a 3-0 win is better than a 30-33 loss” no longer applies. Nor is it any longer tolerable.
The Waratahs & other Aussie franchises must actively seek to play an attractive brand of rugby. The benefits are bleeding obvious. Just as an aside, while poaching league players was perceived as plugging a shortfall in critical areas, these players were not used to advantage in union. In the end, their defection was very poorly managed.
2. The international (Wallabies) & professional (super rugby) base is too narrow. 130 professional players won’t excite the youth of the country as a whole. The game needs to be grown at both ends – top down & bottom up. We need as a matter of priority, a national comp -ARC, of 8-10 teams.
But this will require a rearranging of structures/pillars. For example, Super Rugby must be changed to a Heineken Cup style format in order to give the ARC national priority & reduce duplication of resoources. Massive efforts must be made to develop the junior active participation base.
3. Clear, well defined pathways also require quality coaching side by side. Not only are we looking at developing the quantity & quality of players, but of coaches, referees & administrators also. Rugby must be able to facilitate the needs of all these groups. From juniors to seniors, players must be supported via training, kit , equipment, grounds & the like.
4. Leading on from point three, players, coaches, supporters, volunteers are walking away from the game. Why? The NSWRU & other unions need to reconnect with their primary stakeholders – fans & players. That means seriously listening to, & acting on their reasonable concerns; getting back to grassroots sessions between juniors & leading Waratahs & Wallabies; & providing the backroom support as also identified in point three.
5. Running a rugby organisation could be perceived as perhaps being like a real estate franchise. The housing/unit sales staff are the players & coaches – they sell the game & attract the viewers & sponsors, etc; the property managers are the development officers, development coaches, referees, etc – they manage the existing assets; the principals are the executive officers, the marketing, accounting, operations managers – who set the guidelines for the direction of the game.
Everyone has a role to play, & each role is important in its own special way, all interacting with each other. It will be interesting to know exactly how the NSWRU intends to separate the professional/financial/sales side of its organisation from the juniors/schools/development/day-to-day side of its organisation.
Well, I don’t know if any of this is satisfactory. There’s so much to discuss, & i;m losing track of where I’m at. Hopefully, by throwing these thoughts into the public forum, someone else might help crystallize my thoughts.
January 11th 2010 @ 8:47pm
westy said | January 11th 2010 @ 8:47pm | Report comment
Did Knox ever get to play Stannies. Would have been a grand old time in the dressing sheds
January 12th 2010 @ 8:01am
Bay35Pablo said | January 12th 2010 @ 8:01am | Report comment
Plenty of apples rather than oranges at half time?
January 12th 2010 @ 12:35pm
rugbyfuture said | January 12th 2010 @ 12:35pm | Report comment
hahahahahaha…………………….random trinitarian joke could fit in here somewhere
January 11th 2010 @ 9:14pm
Johnson said | January 11th 2010 @ 9:14pm | Report comment
Jim
Good luck this year – but a couple of questions I have
Why – with only six home games this year – did you not schedule a home game in Sydney as a warm up – we really enjoyed going to the Crusader preseason game – it was a good kick start
Are the teams finances strong enough to withhold a spending spree from the Melbourne team
January 11th 2010 @ 9:59pm
damo said | January 11th 2010 @ 9:59pm | Report comment
Serious question Jim. Why do non-members have to put up with poisonous low-rent beer at poisonous elite prices at SFS. Don’t blame the SFS. It’s rugby fans they are poisoning and robbing. Somebody signed a contract that allowed the monop-ilization of beer sales at rugby games. It’s immoral, unAustralian and should be illegal. What are you doing about it? This is not a joke. We go to see the best contact sport known to man. And we are forced to drink some brewery owner’s slops. Does anyone care about this you care about this or are all decision makers in the rarified air around the members bar? It’s your shout.
January 12th 2010 @ 5:28am
Wavell Wakefield said | January 12th 2010 @ 5:28am | Report comment
Why are the European leagues developing and progressing in terms of TV figures, average attendances etc, but the Super 14 (specifically Australia) is not?