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The ARU have decided to lump the everyday rugby player with a registration fee to help secure a bit of revenue. All I can say is, will someone think of the children?
This is a travesty of justice because any budding Michael Hooper under the age of eight will now be lumped with an $11 fee.
Yes, the ARU are asking seven-year-olds to break open their piggy banks just so Adam Ashley-Cooper can have two extra pints of Guinness the next time he goes to Dublin.
As for any junior rugby player between the age of 9-18 that wishes to play again next year? Well, they will be lumped with a $27.50 fee plus an $8 insurance levy. That equates to $35.50, which will no doubt be sent to the ARU by way of a direct debit straight from their ‘Dollarmite’ account.
This amount will allow Sekope Kepu to have a special British Sunday Roast at the Wrestler’s pub in Highgate during next year’s World Cup.
This is highway robbery. Children will be leaving rugby union in droves once they realise what the ARU is asking. Particularly when they find out it is all just to help pay for the running of the game and the salaries of the players that they aspire to be.
There is no doubting that the junior rugby players at the Norths Pirate Junior Rugby Club for instance will not be able to afford the $11 and $35.50 on top of their existing $190 registration fee. No doubt they will head over to the Gordon Soccer Club where the fees range between $225 and $250. Hang on, that’s much of a muchness. Perhaps defecting to soccer is not the way to go.
Perhaps they will sign up at the Currumbin Eagles Rugby League Club where the fees are remarkably lower at the Under-6 level. Here they would pay just $165. Unfortunately, by the time they get to the older years in the juniors they will be paying $250 so they may as well come back to rugby union.
The real risk is AFL. Because these boys will almost certainly be tempted to leave the game they love to play AFL at the Bangor Tigers Club where they will pay between $115 and $180 for their registration fees.
But then again then they would be playing AFL. Why would they want that when for a bit extra they get to play the game they play in heaven? Perhaps Israel Folau could remind them that rugby players should reconsider changing codes for monetary benefits.
Perhaps their parents will ignore the reasonable request of paying a little bit extra in order to keep the game alive in this country.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.