Where should the next Super 14 franchise be based?

That's what we need to hear. Excellent. Now I wonder what the South Australians are up to?

Yes Bay35Pablo I agree, without the Force we would be not as far advanced as we are. What has happened is that the Force has been waited on by the Rugby Comunity in WA for a vey long tiime and it's arrival along with the experienced staff from elsewhere has enthused the local rugby community. There is enthusuasm and money comming from the commuity as never before. If you had told me 20 years ago that the local catholic secondary college, (let alone at least two state schools I know of) would have a specialist rugby program I'd have told you you were mad. The Super Rugby teams will seek out the best players thay can find no matter where they are In these days of professionalism the players will go wherever they can get the best deal for themselves, and that will continue to be the case. look at what has happened just today. Needing outside backs where did the Tahs go. To the strong NSW clubs? No, to the other Super 14 Teams. They got Barnes from Queensland and Mitchell from WA. What will be different in the future is the growing numbers of Western Australians (and hopefully soon Victorians) in that talent pool. Getting back to the original topic, That is why Melbourne is the obvious place for the next Super Rugby Team. It's a no brainer. Victorian Rugby has a similar set up Rugby WA pre Force and the advantage of seeing how things were done in WA, both right and wrong. And from a WA point of view, there is nothing better than beating the Vics and we can't do that unless they have a team.

Gary, while the growth in WA is great to hear, also keep in mind it is growing from a small base. people carry on about China and its economic growth for the last 20-30 years, but everyone forgets it was starting from so far behind and with so many people. As such, the approach of WA is not one that is easily applicable to NSW or elsewhere. Although having said that, I suspect that same attitude to schools in western Sydney or Queensland could get some quick growth!!! But the issue is also maintaining it. In the mean time much of the "success of WA Rugby is on the back of the Force, which is only able to function because it draws its players and much of its staff from the east and particularly NSW. Eventually one day the Force will surely belike the Eagles or Dockers, in churning out their own product, but the road to get there and the players they will have to import in the mean time will have to be done for years. So not so much big oaks out of small acorns, as from small transplanted saplings with a hell of a lot of expensive fertiliser .... :)

I was at a gathering of all the sports teachers from the four secondary schools, two provate, two state in a major AFL mad regional city and witnessed a scene that went something like this: Development Officer: "Rugby WA has a lot of money. You can have some of it for your school" Development Officer: "This is what you have to do to get some" Guess what? Every one of those teachers completed the Smart Rugby Program and Rugby is now included in the Phys Ed programs in those schools. At the same time Rugby WA was directly supporting the embryonic senior rugby club, supplying everythng they needed to get established, even jerseys to play in. From small acorns oak trees grow.

The development program along with a continuing stream of rugby mad migrants into a state with a booming economy and a population that is expected to double by 2023 is why WA is going to be a powerhouse of Australian Rugby in the not too distant future.

That's excellent the probramme is going through State school as well as Private. The State achool is where the bulk of the talent is

Working Class Ruger. Contact Matt Tink at Rugby WA and ask him about schools rugby programs.

the State schools in every State is a place to start getting a talent pool

that's a good thing then excellent

Gary I'd like to see Rugby WA bring there Jungle Rugby program up to the Pilbara. It would be a great success. In the Karratha area alone there are 8 Primary Schools that could easily establish a regular Rugby competition. There are alot of Kiwi and South Africans up here with kids. Last year the Force helg a clinic in Pannawonica which is a tiny town and they got a rather good turn out.

Wrnog Gavin, The revenue generated from the Force enables Rugby WA to do a lot of things to develop the game at club level. Pre Force Rugby WA had one paid staff member. Now there are over 50 including several Rugby Development Officers. Over here in WA we were surprised to see the ARU running clinics for the kids in the holidays (in NSW of course) because over here such things are done by the "Community Rugby" section of Rugby WA".

If there is a WA team in S14, it's only a business thing. It has nothing to do with supporting rugger at the grass roots. One hopes there will be a marketing spin off and a postive knock on ( pardon the pun ) effect for local rugby. But the local Union will have to develop the game themselves State or federal Gov't grant perhaps?

quote "Yawn" Are we boring you ol' fruit?

Let's not confuse Super rugby funding with club funding though. Each of the Super teams get the same money, something around the $5M mark, for Super rugby. Club funding is separate, and while NSW and Q'ld get funding in the millions, WA and the ACT get $200k (which is less than South Australia, Victoria and the NT). WA is doing what it can with what it has, subject to the issues with the ground and declining revenues (due, IMO, to a lot of self inflicted crushing negativity). It is doing relatively well, but the push for everyone to play in the East is not going to help.

Melbourne. Reasons? Look at the last 234 threads on this issue. Yawn.

I should have added - IMHO!

WC Rugger, Don't disagree at all. But its like one of those multiple choice questions when most of the alternatives might be right, but you have to select the most right one! Melbourne, Western Sydney & Gold Coast are all correct & appropriate answers. Melbourne is the most right alternative at this point in time!

there is a lot of reality re the Private school mentality with the wallaby selectors, especially props. It will take nmore than a western Sydney side to be chosen, but tough no nonsense middle and working class blokes should be selected in the squad regardless of what team they play The rugby league players in WS you soeak of would have some rugby experience too, some of them anyway

I don't know the exact legal situation in NSW but in WA the Western Australian Rugby Union Inc is incorporated under the Association Incorporation Act 1984 with a constitution that meets the requirements of that Act. It's trading name is Rugby WA. To be a member you simply join like you would any other voluntary organisation. Contact Rugby WA and tell them you want to join "Rugby WA" not the "Western Force" and they'll send you a form. Fill it out, pay the fee and that's all there is too it. The NSW Rugby Union will have a procedure to become a member which will be spelt out in the constitution. Look it up and follow it.

Gee Gary WARU must be really nice with every one able to become a member and having only one vote each but the NSWRU has a CONSTITUTION that can be only changed by a 75% majority and its provisions have a number of limitations ( or protections) depending on your point of view . NSWRU politics is down and dirty. The stong clubs act in their own interests and not that of rugby in NSW. So do not preach to people who have been doing battle for years.