On 20th May 2007, after weeks of negative comments about the state of Australian rugby, The Roar ran an article titled: Let The Roar of the crowd fix up rugby. In this article, we asked our readers to tell us the three main problems facing rugby, and three solutions to the problems, for submission to the Australian Rugby Union (ARU).
We received 36 coherent and well informed comments. These comments were compiled and analysed by The Roar’s columnist, Garth Hamilton.
Yesterday I met with the new CEO and Managing Director of the ARU, John O’Neill, to present this document (see photo above of John receiving the report).
John O’Neill has reviewed the document and responded to The Roar readers with this message:
“I have received you responses, and am taken aback by the thought that has gone into this exercise. It’s noticeable that in all responses, there is a high level of passion and care for the game. Whilst clearly there is some criticism, the responses provide genuinely constructive suggestions. In that regard, we will take it in all seriousness in responding to the comments and suggestions.” – John O’Neill.
Thank you to those who put their effort into this exercise. We look forward to speaking to John more frequently, and ensuring that The Roar of the crowd is heard by the right people.
Read the compiled report, by Garth Hamilton:
The Roar – Your Sports Opinion
www.theroar.com.au
Suggestions For Fixing Up Australian Rugby
The participants’ responses are summarised below;
1. Administration and Accountability
Responses in this category were directed towards the ARU staff and their selection, performance, structure and direction.
Administration
Perceived Problems
A common theme amongst responses in this category was a genuine concern that the ARU was not working in the best interests of the wider body of Australian rugby. Respondents showed distrust in the ARU’s decision making process and the overall strategy behind it.
“There appears to be no plan or anyone who could drive a plan even if they had one.”
The apparent absence of a strategy by which the ARU made its decisions led respondents to believe that old inter-state rivalries continued to strongly influence the decision making process. The current structure of the ARU board was seen to be conducive to this partisanship rather than producing a unified and truly national governance.
A lack of strong leadership was identified as one of the major problems facing the growth of the game in Australia. Whilst generally supportive of the recruitment of Mr Peter Cosgrove, respondents called for further recruitment from outside of those without club or state allegiances.
“People who have a fresh vision for the future that will take bold and fearless steps for Australian Rugby rather than (follow) the politically correct whim of their home Union.”
Decision making by the ARU was seen to slow and reactionary. The decision to review the inclusion of foreign players into Australian Super 14 teams came a long time after it was widely commented in the press and amongst the rugby public that Australia lacked the player depth to expand from three to four Super 14 teams without a significant drop in the quality of play. In this and other matters, respondents complained that the game’s administrators appeared to be out of touch with the game’s supporters.
“since when have the game’s administrators ever listened to players or supporters?”
Suggested Solutions
a) A move to return John O’Neil to the CEO position was strongly supported. However, it may be worth noting that the ARU’s decision to conduct a thorough search for Mr Flowers replacement was also supported.
b) Moves to reduce the partisan setup of the ARU were suggested and Australia’s shrewd corporate world suggested as a source of potential recruits.
Accountability
Perceived Problems
Of all the responses received, the issue of accountability was the most widely and forthrightly commented upon.
“Lack of accountability on the part of the ARU certainly seems to be a problem”
“ARU board is not representative enough and not accountable enough”
The lack of accountability was seen to be a common theme across the governing body’s actions. The apparent lack of disciplinary action following the Michael O’Connor / Lote Tuqiri affair was widely criticised as a highly public example. Similarly, the ARU’s perceived lack of authority during the public disagreement between Eddie Jones and John Connolly drew negative comments.
The use of certain statistics by the ARU to justify its current direction came under criticism by respondents.
“My son plays, school, club and rep level. The ARU count him as 3 people participating in junior rugby”
Proposed Solutions
There were several steps proposed to improve the ability of the rugby public to assess the performance of those charged with managing the game. Without knowing by what Key Performance Indicators the ARU’s office bearers are internally judged, the public is disabled of its ability to provide constructive criticism.
By opening for public knowledge the range of KPIs used to assess ARU staff the rugby public can determine a) if the KPIs are indeed the best ones to develop and strengthen the game and b) if the KPIs are indeed being met.
2. Marketing
Perceived Problems
Dissatisfaction with the marketing of the game was the second most commented upon problem amongst respondents.
The emergence of the wallaby brand as separate from Australian rugby was a concern. It was identified that recent marketing campaigns had moved away from enticing junior and club involvement to focusing almost solely on crowd figures at international fixtures.
“The only time you see an ad for Oz rugby now it is for a test or S14 to get people to go to the games. Back in the early 90s there was the “I want to be a Wallaby” campaign which was successful.”
It was widely commented that the ARU had failed to match the junior recruitment and marketing campaign of the AFL, Auskick. This successful program has sown the seeds of establishing Australian rules football in areas wherein it had no presence only a generation ago. On this front rugby union was seen to have lost ground.
“Even in Mt Isa the AFL has a full-time development officer who runs Aus Kick programs at all the schools throughout the week and also organises the weekend seniors. Union clubs don’t have any development officers and each club relies on it’s own initiative to create funds.”
Rugby league has also made advances into traditional rugby schools.
“Kids going to Ashgrove (Marist College, Brisbane), a bastion of Rugby goodness, now receive free tickets to the League and go watch the Broncos instead of the Reds”
Developmental regional squads receive almost no marketing support. Country rugby has provided not only many wallabies but hundreds more club players yet respondents from this area detail an appalling lack support.
“The Qld Country Blue Heelers played a curtain-raiser to a Red S14 game earlier this year at Suncorp and there was no advertising at all in Brisbane. Not even an article in the Courier-Mail. I avidly read the local rugby press and I had no idea the game was on”
Tours by northern hemisphere teams were heavily criticised due to the touring teams’ inability to send a full strength squad. Respondents urged the ARU to take a very strong stance on this issue. Low quality games played in front of half-filled stadiums were not seen to provide a positive image for rugby.
Participants believed that poor marketing was partly responsible for the low crowd numbers seen this year at Super 14 and International level.
The most commonly used word by respondents to describe rugby union in Australia was inaccessible. Without access to pay-television, rugby union is almost non-existent during prime time viewing. Outside of game coverage, rugby has nothing to compete with the two versions of ‘The Footy Show’ or SBS’s soccer program ‘The World Game’.
Proposed Solutions
a) Regular free-to-air television coverage of both Super 14 and International level rugby was seen as essential to not only the growth but sustainability of the game. Interestingly rugby is perfectly fitted for inclusion under SBS’s charter.
b) The marketing of the game was seen to have moved away from encouraging new recruits (as per the old ‘I wanna be a wallaby’ campaign) to merely selling tickets for international games. The AFL’s Auskick campaign was seen to be a far more effective marketing and recruiting tool than any used across the Australian sporting spectrum and should be used as a model for rugby to build on.
c) The APC was not warmly received by participants, most of whom do not expect it to last or attract a significant following. Rather than continue with this competition, go back to investing heavily in the clubs where deep-seated allegiances already exist.
d) Tours by second-rate northern teams were widely criticised (backed up by low numbers at both recent Wales tests) and support of a global season seen as being a must to address this issue. Where low turnouts are expected, games should be scheduled in regional or new rugby areas.
e) Don’t take for granted that traditional rugby schools will continue to remain loyal to the game. Every school is being approached by marketing campaigns from league, AFL and soccer. Before rugby can grow it must secure its ‘assets’.
f) American football and basketball have very successful video and DVD campaigns that contain highlights of each season’s action. Official releases under the ARU’s banner are too few and irregular.
3. Player Development
Perceived Problems
Coaching standards were seen to have dropped in recent years. Basic skill levels of players are not at a level acceptable of a team representing a state or the nation.
“I went to watch the waratahs vs stormers match and was treated to the most pathetic hamfisted display – The waratahs were absolutley appalling – simple pass and catch – It’s U8s stuff”
Of particular concern to respondents was that a professional organisation like the ARU should have prejudices regarding the selection of coaches based upon their nationality. The benefits of importing experience and knowledge are accepted in the wider business world and there is no reason that this should be any different in rugby.
Respondents noted that young players coming into Super 14 football seem to be short on basic skill sets and it was suggested that this may be a result of a disproportionate focus on strength and fitness training.
“There are too many athletes and not enough ball players”
Whilst the establishment of the Force was seen as a necessary step in improving Australia’s player depth, it has exposed the gap between club and Super 14 level players. The recruitment of established league players was not seen as being a long term solution to filling this void nor was it seen as an incentive for young rugby players to continue in the code.
“stop throwing money at unproven rugby league players… instead direct that money at club and junior rugby. we’ve got a great crop of young rugby players coming through, focus on them”
It was believed that union’s recruiters of junior talent are behind those of league even in established union schools/clubs. Losing too many players to Japan or the Home unions on large contracts was seen to be further draining Australia’s playing pool.
Proposed Solutions
a) Contracting ‘big name’ coaches with proven records, such as Rod MacQueen and Robbie Deans, to not only assist with the national team but also to train developing coaches across all levels was suggested. A more robust training programme for coaches is essential.
b) Opening up to successful ‘foreign’ coaches was seen as a way to import rugby knowledge and experience.
c) Chasing players from a league background was seen to be a disincentive to talent developed through junior rugby and the vast majority of respondents called for the practice to be stopped.
d) A high profile national sevens competition was suggested as a way of developing interest in rugby in non-rugby cities – the sevens game is inherently attractive and promotes the best and most easily appreciable aspects of the game.
e) Rather than chasing big name league players, the introduction of big-name foreign players into the Super 14 was backed on the proviso that it be only a short term solution, to be removed after a period of 2 – 5 years.
f) Another option suggested as a better way of spending the money currently spent on league players is to retain certain high-quality Australian players who are looking at heading overseas.
g) Establish a competition to develop forwards in much the same way as sevens develops backs. A ‘heavies sevens’ if you will. This is a step further than the ‘scrum school’ often proposed in that teams of forwards from around the country can compete in set piece and general play games to establish the best forward pack in Australia across each division/class. Such a concentrated pooling of our national scrimmaging knowledge and experience would improve our scrimmaging across the board and has the potential to make the position of tight-head prop a more attractive one to young players.
4. Clubland
Perceived Problems
A noticeable separation in the direction of clubs and the ARU was seen to have occurred. The ARU was seen to be more focussed on the success of the final product (the wallabies) rather than the interests of the primary inputs (the clubs).
This attitude was seen to be mirrored in the administration of the state unions. The result is that clubs are being neglected by both their state and national representatives.
The hesitance shown by state and national unions to assist with the funding of developing rugby in new regions contrasts sharply with the relative eagerness with which the games administrators direct money towards rugby league recruits. The following submission sums up the frustration in clubland on this issue.
“The NSWRU had committed to funding the Illawariors in last year’s Shute Shield, which was then the prelim to the Toohey’s New Cup. They professed their desire to continue this funding and commitment to the team for a number of years. They also said we could be part of the full season this year, which is now the Tooheys New Shute Shield. However, come November last year they indicated they would not provide any funding to us for the year as they had originally promised. At that stage, we were trying to actively recruit and retain promising players, some of whom were getting courted by the likes of Randwick and Gordon with guaranteed pay checks. This made it tough for us to keep some of our core guys from last year because we couldn’t give them that guarantee, while the NSWRU weren’t living up to their financial commitment. It took a lot of argie bargie and threats from us to pull out all together, for the NSWRU to come back to the table for us. In short, they tried everything to get out of their commitment, but when they realised they would look silly if we pulled out after the draw was already finalised, and knowing that we would be vocal about our reasons they finally came good.”
Whilst the above case specifically involves the NSWRU, it was pointed out that surely the development of rugby in Australia falls under the ARU’s scope.
Perhaps the saddest story told by respondents was that of the neglected efforts of those tying to establish rugby in Sydney’s West, particularly Penrith. In an area with such a strong sporting tradition and with such strong links to the rugby loving Pacific Islands, the ARU’s lack of action is negligent.
Proposed Solutions
An integrated system with stronger ties between clubs and Super 14 teams was suggested. Most widely commented upon was the apparent lack of a unified and inclusive strategy that oversees the running of the game through schools, juniors and club level into the representative arena. If this strategy currently exists it is felt that it is not being successful.
The formation of the APC was not seen to be helping the cause of clubs and threatened to spread under-funded resources even further.
5. Laws
The ARU was encouraged to continue its commitment to developing the laws of the game with a focus on favouring the attacking team whilst maintaining rugby’s continual contest for possession.
[Report compiled by Garth Hamilton]
zhenry
Guest
There is a comment above about shrewd Australian business people becoming more involved. Well that maybe so in some cases but business success is measured only by profit and the earlier success of the ARU was not built upon by attention to the complete entity. Media owners most often don't care about the sport they feed rights to, it’s mostly the next quarter and advertising revenue is their sole concern. Any long term effects of a scheme, such as the Melbourne Rebels, is not on their radar. The ARU is in debt and players are spread even more thinly. It’s very clear that the money for Melb was for debt relief and short term gain, the NRL has not established any lasting roots and RU's prospects are dubious. The business group that run Melbourne would find RU development a drain on their profits; despite their PR they want bucks for their investment: Foisting players around schools is no substitute for hands on paid development staff. As stated above, the report in question is almost 3 years old. Don't underestimate the simplicity of purpose of big salaried CEO's like O'Neill. He is not with the ARU for the long term. His big bangs will not bring long term rabbits out of hats.
Melb Rebel
Guest
funny nothing done some two years after this!
Roger of Redfern
Guest
Am I reading this correctly: this article was written in July of 2007? In a few months it will be 3 years since readers were asked to submit their solutions. Besides the Melbourne Rebel and some more foreign players, has anything changed? In what sort of receptacle was the report placed at the ARU? Did someone place it in a circular one by chance? P
Kyle
Guest
My first post to this group. I follow oz sport from the US (grew up in Sydney). Some Q's re rugby: 1. what are the chances of melbourne acquiring the 5th S14/15 team?; 2. what will this extra team do to oz rugby in general? It seems that there is a definite dilution effect regarding available rugby talent in oz (poor ol' Q'land); 3. can someone pls explain what in the world is happening to nsw rugby. cheers kyle
fred
Guest
if people are an organisations greatest asset where does that place an organisation like "the reds" and why does aru send their clones up there ;is it a centralisation approach to control
Wally
Guest
My main beef with the ARU in the professional era is the way they have cast aside any rugby which is not a direct "pathway" to the Wallabies and unless you are reasonably high up on the "pathway" you'll not really get much love either. They seem blissfully unaware that every player who ever plays they game quite easily becomes a supporter for life. In the future they will be sponsors, parents, supporters, coaches, referees, pay tv subscribers etc so showing no interest and in some instances proactively dismissing the amateur game is depleting their long term future commercial base. And the sad thing is there are so many simple cheap ways to show the love: - Free tickets to poorly attended games passed to rugby clubs for dispersion eg Australia A Games, Waratahs Trials etc. - Using their largest resource, their players, to visit clubs and fly the flag, a number already do but I would love to see a community involvement obligation clause in there contracts. I know a schools Phys Ed coordinator who has given up trying to get rugby players to visit her school, but has quite easily got AFL and A-League players there and the kids love it. John O'Neill would do well to spend a Saturday morning on the sidelines at an Under 8's match, a schoolboys match at lunchtime and Saturday afternoon at a NSW Suburban match talking to the volunteers of the Club/School and their players to fully understand where the full future for Rugby is coming from instead of just the next crop of 30 players and coaching staff for the next world cup.
Mardo
Guest
I am a big fan of the Rugby Shield. But I have never seen a game. This does not bother me too much as they are played in even farther locations from Sydney than where I am, but I wonder why interstate rep games are not given any air time when the Shute shield is. They Sydney comp means nothing to me, I don't live there. I would rather see NSW country compete. I would also like to know why the ARS teams were not included in the Mazda ( most of ) Australia rugby Championships. The hunter is not represented so again, why should I care? At least it will be on free to air, I just hope it is at a suitable time, like 5.30 on Friday nights when we can go to the rugby club and watch after work ( something we have not been able to do since Foxtel raised its prices beyond the reach of any club without a dozen poker machines) instead of 3pm Saturday when most rugby fans I know are already at the local ground watching a live match.
Matt
Guest
To be fair to the powers that be NSW Country already participate in a competition involving QLD Country and teams from Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Darwin and Tasmania. We have had a number of guys compete in this competition over the years and they are generally positive about the whole experience. Where it takes them in terms of advancing their career is open to comment although the only real avenue seems to be to feed the Sydney clubs country talent. It's at the real "grass roots" level that the bush is being neglected. The ARU/NSWRU would have a bunch of stats to support whatever view they wish to express but the problem is that they are competing for a share of a market and at the moment they are well short of where they should be in comparison to other codes.
Matt
Guest
Sheek, I agree with your comment about walking among the converted...I guess the bush is a bit of a curly one for the boys in Sydney so best to just stick with people and problems you understand. Left to its own devices rugby in the bush will eventually be swamped by more agressive codes. I'm in a situation where I can see first hand the lengths league, AFL and soccer will go to in a bid to get a share of the youth market and rugby is so far behind them it's not funny. The best efforts of the incredible groups of parents who run the junior game out here cannot stop the marketing machines these other codes have at their disposal...It's only a matter of time.
Mardo
Guest
I think they should rename the Mazda comp the Most of Australia comp. Since NSW country is pretty much left out ( I agree that Gosford is not really country) We do need a 3rd tier, and this is a start. It just seems like it was made ( in NSW at least) by people who could not find thier way north of the Hornsby or west of the Blue mountains without the aid of a native tracker.
sheek
Guest
Matt, Love your articles, but the dire images of the bush being left to whither on the vine cut deeply. It's not only the outer suburbs of Sydney who suffer from lack of development/recruitment officers, but the country as well. With Rugby, it's a case of the ARU/NSWRU, etc walking among the already converted, possibly in ever diminishing circles!
sheek
Guest
Peter L & Colin, I was going at some future time, around grand finals time, send in a piece about the 1979 Brisbane Grand Final, between Qld Uni & Brothers. Well, make that grand finals plural. Without giving too much away, both teams had to play 2 grand finals plus extra-time to decide the winner. That's 200 minutes - Wow! About half of the players on the field, were either present, past or future Wallabies. Indeed, opposing captains Mark Loane (Qld Uni) & Tony Shaw (Brothers) both captained the Wallabies that year. Nine players involved in these matches made the historic inaugural tour to Argentina. Additionally, another former Wallaby captain, Geoff Shaw, who had played a one-off test against the ABs that year, was also in the Uni side. Rightly or wrongly, in the future, the ARC or its equivalent will take the place of club rugby. It's in the ARC that you might see a repeat of the above, where maybe 15 present, past & future Wallabies take each other on. Club rugby will still have its place. You can't play for the Wallabies without appearing for a S14 side. It's unlikely you can play for a S14 team without appearing in the ARC. And you must begin life with a premier club side to make the ARC. Of course, you might have the odd miracles who go straight from school to S14, like Lyons & Beale. But generally, the path will be - high school to premier club to ARC to S14 to Wallabies. The satisfaction is still there to watch some 18-19 year old run around for your club, who will one day be a test great. Back in 1982, I took the trouble to get to the SCG early for the Wallabies-Scotland match, to watch the curtain-raiser between the Aussie & NZ U/21s. David Campese, playing at fullback, carved up his Tasman foes, scoring 2 tries, setting two up, & mesmerising everyone who saw his performance, in a 32-12 blitz. That night, Campese was chosen for his first tour in Wallaby colours, to NZ, where he made his test debut. But back to that afternoon, I reckon I was part of history, witnessing a future great announce himself.
Colin
Guest
I should add that as my missus is from the country (Molong Magpies territory) I can also be found in the cool of the odd Saturday afternoon supporting country rugby...
Colin
Guest
Further to what Peter L said above, two years ago I was over in Dunedin to watch the Otago Canterbury S12 fixture, that afternoon with little else to do I wandered down to "Southern Rugby" in the shadows of Carisbrook. The local club games were on and on the sidelines supporting "his" club was Carl Hayman. It gave a great lift to the boys. The same happens at Warrigah when Mark Gerrard etc return from S14 or Wallabies duties. The ARC might help, but for up and comers and journeymen the lift is measuable as is the interest from "grassroots" supporters. Maybe this is part of the issue, I can't afford $100+ to go Tests or $70+ to go to S14 but I can and do spend the money Saturday afternoon at 'Rat Park'. Why does the ARU forsake these supporters?
Charlie
Guest
What I cannot understand is why RU people are so infatuated with RL. Like you, I was brought up to despise RL and to "hate" its supporters. "State house Rugby" was the way RL was descrbed. Of late I have come to understand that RL is a far better game than RU. It is cleaner, much more skilful and has rules that RU covets. Why not accept RL for what it is? RU, in my years of supporting it, has done nothing to maintain my continuing interest. It has become an boring sport. Where are the brilliant players?....the Lockyers, the Thurstons, the Princes, the Marshalls? RU as a game just does not develop such skilful players. Leave it alone or try to develop rules that will make it more attractive.....like RL.
Peter L
Guest
I think PfItzy and Sheek have said it all but I would like to point out that the roll up was democratic according to th input - I, for one, have maintained for yonks that the best way to end up with a great team is to plant the seeds early and develop them carefully, and the ARC is part of that process. IMHO it is also a way to begin to dismantle the pathetic little fiefdoms that permeate the Aus RUs at present. Sheek - interesting your comment on the infrequent nature of elite players appearing at club level. In NZ, when not needed for Super or All Black rugby the elit players are encouraged to play at provincial and club level. I attended a game last year in Milton, South Otago, a town of about 1500 people in South Otago, and who should run on as hooker for the home team, Tokomairiro, but Anton Oliver (his dad, Frank, was a Milton boy and Anton has retained links to the area). Over the last few years I have seen many ABs playing at club level and I firmly believe it is great for the game. It means "ordinary" Kiwi's (a mythical beast, much like the "ordinary Australian" that John Howard drones on about) have frequent contact with the elite players, and it means that club players can reasonably expect to play with or against a current AB at least once in each season. It also means that the pinacle of Rugby in NZ is heald forever in sight of those playing at the formation levels. Fantastic.
Matt
Guest
Did someone mention maybe basing an ARC team around maybe the Country Cockatoos or QLD Blue Heelers? A team based outside (and don't give me the Central Coast is the country crap) the metropolitan area ie WEST of the mountains, would give country people a team to follow. The Waratahs are so far removed in more than just geographical terms, that rugby has no focus out west...The Waratahs are just another team in the Super 14, they lack a profile both in the media and more importantly in development at the grass roots level. The first place to feel the pinch in funding cuts is the country...it's always been the case with NSW rugby. We realise the need for publicity but is Lote the sort of guy you want to spearhead your PR campaign. When he is given a ridiculous amount of money to play the game on one hand and then the country zones are having their funding cut with the other you can hardly blame country rugby supporters for losing interest in the Waratahs. Where I come from the Brumbies are far more active in trying to develope junior talent than the Waratahs...Maybe the rugby community in this part of the world would be better served being aligned with the Brumbies? The ARC is an admirable initiative from the ARU but they need to do more for the game in the country...the profile has to be raised, we can only fight the agressive advances of league, AFL and soccer for so long without REAL support or identity.
Pfitzy
Guest
*ahem* I should also add, in light of sheek's post, and having just re-read mine, that I should say "SOME idiots at Uni,Randwick, and Easts". Bit hasty on my part eh? No harm done... Agree about two Sydney teams sheek - perhaps the third (your EA team) could have been for players originating outside metro areas? Like the Cockatoos and QLD Country Heelers... Next team from Adelaide? Got my vote - was there recently and nearly fell over when I saw a rugby oval just up the road from our digs. People forget that when the Adelaide Rams got going in the SuperLeague, they were one of the best-attended franchises in the competition. Perhaps its because South Australians are desperate to get noticed, or that it plays on their need to show the eastern states that they've got ticker... Having not come from Sydney, and only picking the game up after I went to Uni, I look forward to bringing MY son up with "his" team - the mighty Western Sydney Rams. Roll on August!
sheek
Guest
Pfitzy, Even though I'm an ex-Easts player, & live in the Randwick heartland, I agree with you! Sydney & Brisbane Premier Rugby is not the answer, certainly not by itself, & never has been. Although perhaps in another era 20 present, past & future Randwick & Sydney Uni players slugging it out aginst each other made for a great contest. Ditto 20 similar players for Brisbane brothers & Qld Uni. But those days are gone. Premier clubs can consider themselves lucky if a leading Wallaby turns out once a year for them. That's the modern day reality. For Rugby to progress, there MUST be another level between S14 & Premier Rugby, whatever the Sydney Mafia especially, might otherwise think. I am a great supporter of the concept of the Mazda ARC, if not necessarily the structure itself. Personally, I would prefer a provincial style comp like the one-off APC last year (& I might add, like NZL & RSA). My 8 teams would be - NSW, Qld, ACT, WA, Vic, SA, EA (Central Coast/Newcastle/North NSW) & NQ (Townsville, Cairns, Mackay, Rockhampton). The difference with my suggestion (APC) & the ARC would be one less team in Sydney & no team on the Gold Coast, but with teams in SA & NQ. On another note, perhaps the next 2 teams to join the ARC will be from Adelaide & either Newcastle or NQ. Nevertheless, I will give my full support to the ARC because God knows, this is what we need to take the game forward. At some point in the future, the game of Rugby MIGHT, I say MIGHT, take off in USA, China, Russia & other European countries, countries with far greater populations than our own. It would be moronic for Australian Rugby supporters to continue to think Sydney & Brisbane premier Rugby by thenmselves, will continue to serve all our needs. In the future, successful Rugby nations will require solid domestic structures, & solid player participation numbers. Right now, Australian Rugby has neither.
Matt
Guest
If you want to feel neglected take a trip over the Blue Mountains and witness the neglect from the powers that be of the huge Central West zone. Peter Fenton and co have been highlighting the neglect of the game in the western suburbs of Sydney for years with good reason...I would like to suggest though that the web of neglect spreads much further than that right out to the Western Plains. There hasn't been a fulltime development officer out west in years. The last man to do the job was fantastic and you couldn't blame him for taking his much deserved promotion and moving to Sydney but he was never replaced satisfactorily and the game has suffered ever since. Rugby supporters out west have to watch as league, AFL and soccer agressively target the youngsters out her through development programs and clinics while we are essentially relying on schools like St Stanislaus, Kinross Walaroi and St Johns College to develope youngsters. There are junior clubs out here but they are driven by parents who want the game they played as kids to be passed on to their own. The assistance to these clubs from the powers that be is not what it should be...no wonder the Brumbies who seem to be a whole lot more pro-active in their junior development are eyeing off these areas. The apparent pre-occupation with Sydney rugby and the games elite is killing rugby in its heartland...I hope John O'Neill heads the messages sent through in this report. Good on The Roar for taking on such an initiative