This is the first in a series of articles addressing the fundamental issues the new head of the ARU, Bill Pulver, must face with ideas on how to tackle them successfully.
The opening subject for treatment is how to expand the game internally on a limited, or rather minimal, budget.
Mr Pulver declared in his remarks on taking the position that, “whether in a corporate world or in a sporting world, the ultimate measure of your success is the financial performance.”
So any spread of the game has to be done economically, or in reality to use his predecessor John O’Neill’s words “on the smell of an oily rag”.
Much is said of the need to create elegant pathways for talent to progress to the professional level of the game, to nurture grassroots that may subsequently flourish and blossom.
The current system is rather vaguely criticised for not tending with sufficient care to the rites of passage through which young players must pass in order to ensure they arrive successfully and in pristine condition in Super Rugby and the Wallabies.
So there is the issue of refining what is produced, but what of the raw material that will undergo this journey?
Is it perhaps important to consider how many players take part in the game and whether this could be expanded?
Whatever the processes that refine the gold, good or bad, if its original quality is far higher then the resulting extent of final product should be too.
So even if structures are imperfect, if you have double the playing numbers at the outset you will have a lot more players in the end.
As mentioned, any move towards radically increasing playing numbers would need to be very modest in cost.
Ideas such as the expansion of Super Rugby within Australia and abroad, the creation of a third tier, and the funding of local clubs will of course lead to increased playing numbers but these all require some financial input.
Casting one’s eye across the globe, is there any example of a strategy to grow playing numbers that does not cost the earth?
Scotland have long been in the doldrums of international rugby but this process has accelerated in recent years, to the extent that dramatic action has been taken to reverse the decline in participation, national presence of the game, and effectiveness of the international team.
Such measures had to be effected with the most threadbare of resources.
So the idea was born to increase playing numbers by 50 percent through introducing the sport to schools where it is not traditionally played, mainly secondary ones.
It isn’t just habit forming that makes secondary schools the best to focus on, but that they are larger and more concentrated than primary schools, and the results in Scotland have been spectacular.
Schools playing rugby rose from 184 to 240 between 2008 and 2010, with the number of under-18 players taking part going from 15,000 to 25,000 far ahead of schedule.
A scheme offers rewards to successful staff taking part and 75 club development officers helping with extra-curricular activity.
The final goal is for rugby to be played at all 376 secondary schools in Scotland (why other small countries such as Wales and Ireland don’t undertake such a scheme is a mystery).
Of course, bringing rugby to schools need not cost much at all as it is largely a case of persuading governments, state authorities and the schools themselves that a large international sport is worth playing.
This was the major Scottish discovery: you don’t need to pay to expand this way.
This article will only address the issue of rugby in schools in the new territories of expansion, Victoria, Western Australia and South Australia.
The question of school rugby in New South Wales and Queensland is labyrinthine and draws in other issues such as the competition with a similar sport in rugby league.
Two of these territories have a Super Rugby team while the absence of one in the third large unrepresented market is a continuing outrage among some rugby fans.
The three in combination comprise a population not far off 10 million, almost half the country.
Rugby has attempted to present itself through the guise of Super Rugby, although with no success in the case of South Australia.
Indeed in the case of another new territory, John Eales was dispatched to Tasmania with the aim of drumming up interest in the code, only to be greeted with the question, ‘Is the state at a disadvantage because there is no top tier Super Rugby side?’
He might have replied that a population three times the size doesn’t yet have a Super Rugby team.
Schools would seem to be an ideal way to penetrate these areas.
That the areas they inhabit are AFL-dominated need not mean that schools don’t wish to expose their pupils to a range of sports, especially ones that lead onto a global stage.
The schools themselves, the state and national authorities decide which sports are played and they do not choose with a wish to boost the most locally popular code, but with the desire to broaden the experience of their charges as much as possible.
Nowhere should have been more opposed to an expansion of rugby in theory than Scotland.
Football utterly dominates and rugby is perceived not only as elitist but worse, English.
Yet the schools and authorities have adopted the game as they are not there to perpetuate social differences. The same would be true in Australia.
Any significant growth in rugby in schools not only produces a larger number of players, but a greater pool of fans.
More broadly, the result is a spread in awareness and general interest in the game within a city.
Players would be able to join the local Super Rugby team, new fans introduced to rugby in schools would be able to watch it (except in South Australia) and others connected to these ex-pupils would be slowly drawn into the circle.
So much of the groundwork for establishing the game in the new half of the country has been done that it would be a shame not to push forward to fill out the picture. Nor should rugby wait too long.
Scotland postponed this kind of initiative until their fortunes were at absolute rock bottom. Australia must not do the same.
It is currently whipped by the AFL and NRL which enjoy far greater profiles, while the biggest threat, soccer, mushrooms ominously in popularity.
John O’Neill identified AFL as ‘the gorilla in the room’ a few years ago. He was correct, but failed to mention the sabre-toothed tiger hidden behind it that is soccer.
So the ARU could engineer a scheme to spread the code through schools in Western Australia, Victoria and South Australia, and despite their limited numbers of schools, Tasmania and the Northern Territory should be included as well.
Approaching the government, state authorities, the schools themselves and club representatives is the means of action.
Expanding in the new territories would not only bring in a larger market, an increase in players and revenue, but also leverage the game against serious growth of the NRL, AFL and A-League in New South Wales and Queensland.
It is a case of success with a proven precedent and model plan to follow.
simon rorke
Guest
ARU chief executive Bill Pulver - FUTURE OF THE GAME FROM A PASSIONATE SUPPORTER 1st August 2014 ARU chief executive Bill Pulver Australian Rugby Union My name is Simon Rorke and I am a passionate Rugby Union supporter. I first played rugby at the age of 6 for the Narrabeen Tigers Rugby Club in 1971 on Sydney’s Northern Beaches. I continued playing rugby up until I was 18 years old in 1983, when I received a very serious injury, a depressed fractured skull, during a trial colts match playing for Gordon Vs Parramatta. I was informed by a few Neuro surgeons who were leaders in their field that it would be life threatening if I played again and received a knock on that part of my head, so I hung up the boots, which was a very difficult and sad decision at the time. A very good friend of mine got married to a daughter of an ex. international rugby union referee , Mr Anthony Garling, who convinced me to take up refereeing, which I did do for a few years and still ref the occasional school boys game today. I am a member of Wallabies 1st Plus and as you can tell I am a passionate supporter of the game of Rugby Union. I am writing to you today to express my sincere disappointment in relation to how what should be an enjoyable and simple game to watch has become a complex and difficult game for both the player and spectator to understand. I listen to commentators who have played rugby for their country, and week in and week out I hear the same thing, “I am not sure what that penalty was for or that penalty could have easily been given to the other team”. As you will know in Australia there are there are four main codes of sport that are played and watched each autumn-winter-spring, Soccer(Football), Aussie Rules, Rugby League and Rugby Union. The first three have very simple rules and are easy for most people to have an understanding of the basic rules and at least can follow and enjoy the game. Unfortunately Rugby Union has slipped on two front’s, the rules at the break down are not correctly understood by both player and spectator. There are too many rules for the referee to rule on which causes mistakes and inconsistency in their rulings, which then in turn creates a high level of frustration for both the player and spectator. This confusion is turning people away from the game, which I can appreciate and understand. The game requires simplification and should create incentive for teams to score tries and not kick goal’s, this is why the game was invented, TO RUN WITH THE BALL. My proposal for changes to rules to make the game more simple , more enjoyable and give teams more incentive to score tries rather than kick goals. Points system with two referees:- 1. Tries 6 points. 2. Conversions 2 points 3. Free Kick (cannot kick out on the full)– no shot at goal– infringements in the ruck or maul(Designated referee to police the breakdown). 4. Penalty 3 points for offside, foul play, intentional knock downs. 5. Offside:-There are various way for being offside, the main offside law that requires attention is the “”Behind the last feet in the maul / ruck”” preventing open play….(designated referee on the field to police the offside law. ) When I say behind the last feet in the maul, I mean it!! This will help open up the play . 6. Foul Play: High Tackle above the shoulders, intentional punch, knee, kick, gouging.(Immediate sin bin – second offence when returning to the field will result in a permanent send off) 7. Field Goals 1 point In rugby league where a field goal is worth 1 point, you rarely see teams trying to kick field goals in the first 40 minutes of play, it is usually at the back end of the game when the scores are very close. Unfortunately in Rugby Union as a field goal is worth 3 points, we regularly see field goal attempts at all times in a game, again this gets away from the “”running rugby and trying to score tries””. Spectators don’t come to a game of rugby to watch penalty goals and field goals. Ruck & Maul Rule Changes so that we do not continually have interruptions to play and kicks at goal:- 1. Allow hands in rucks. 2. Allow the team going forward and who have the advantage to go off their feet(commonly there is no defenders to support attacking team entering ruck/maul this is why they fall over there team mate who has been tackled– the attacking team should not be penalized for this effort), they should be rewarded for their positive play. 3. Free kicks to be given for infringements at the ruck and maul, no shots at goal are allowed. The only time a penalty is given is for offside, foul play, intentional knock downs, then a shot at goal worth 3 points is allowed. As the rules at the Ruck & Maul are very “”subjective”” many of the coaches are instructing their players to kick the ball as much as possible down into the opposing teams 22 meter area because it is too risky to be involved in a Ruck & Maul at their end of the ground because it could cost them 3 points, especially when the referee has so much to watch :- 1. Has the tackler released the man with ball? 2. Has the man with the ball released the ball? 3. Are the players entering the maul or the ruck entered through the gate? 4. Are the players entering the ruck or maul staying on their feet? 5. Are players using their hands in the ruck? 6. Has a maul be intentionally collapsed by the defending team? 7. Are players who have not entered the maul staying behind the last feet? 8. Is the opposing teams back line on side? This kicking the ball all the time is becoming very boring to watch and is a very negative way of playing what is supposed to be ä game when players run with the ball to score tries. I was recently at a Waratahs v Western Force game when the Waratahs players were Booed by their own supporters because they were kicking the ball far too much which is very sad for a game that could be so good. Scrum Rule Changes:- 1. Allow both the loose and tight head to support themselves by having their outside hand on the ground when slipping. This will both help minimize delays in play and improve safety levels for players by reducing the number of collapsed scrums. 2. Free Kick(no shot at goal) against the team whose front row POPS due to upward pressure, NOT a penalty. Some teams have an obvious advantage in the front row and should not be rewarded by pushing up and popping the opposition front row. 3. In the last 15 minutes of play allow “stop the clock” rule when a team has set their formation for the scrum, as it is very easy for the team which is leading on the score board to waste time and wind down the clock when a scrum is being set. Summary:- These law changes will allow the game to be more attractive to watch with less “down time” in the game with less shot’s at penalty goals, less collapsed scrums, less kicking and less wasted time. It will reduce pressure on referees and allow the game to flow more freely, especially when the “”öff side law”” is correctly enforced by a designated referee, this is critical to opening up the game and making it more attractive to play and watch. We all know the game of Rugby Union is now professional and has become serious business, so if you want to have more “bum’s” on seats and attract new people to the game and also keep the existing supporter base, changes have to be made now. These changes will in turn make it more enjoyable for both player and spectator, the increase in profits will naturally flow through to the IRB and its fellow members once these changes have been implemented. A proportion of these increased profits should be passed down to the club level of the game which right now is struggling financially, this problems needs attention now. We do not want people watching and enjoying the other codes just because they are easier to understand and more enjoyable to watch. I can assure you those promoters of the other codes will be shaking in their boots if these proposed changes are enforced, because right now they are laughing at us Rugby Union people saying you rarely see a good game of rugby union to watch, there is far too much kicking and shots at penalty goal…what has happened to “”running rugby””. I am hoping you will seriously consider all the points I have proposed in this letter. I look forward to receiving your response. Thank you and Best Regards Your loyal Rugby Union Supporter Simon Rorke 125 Wyndora Avenue Freshwater Sydney, Australia, 2096.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
stu: You are being a S/A eh!
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
I don't think they question whether it was money well-spent, just how that translates into adult participation. But does it matter how much it translates into adult participation entirely? Any really talented players will be picked out of school quite early and become professionals before they've finished, while in terms of creating fans simply playing it for some years will be the main thing whether it's continued or not.
AndyS
Guest
But as they note themselves, they are still five years away from seeing what this translates to in terms of adult participation and whether it was money well spent. They play at school, but possibly only as we played baseball. The only thing that really matters is what they play for fun once they leave. I have a soft spot for Scotland and hope it works for them, but they better have somewhere for all these kids to play once school is done. Having lived there too, they will need to learn that civilisation doesn't cease once you are north of Glasgow and Edinburgh. That is something they have always struggled with and could easily cost them any gains, a bit like others ignoring development in half of their country...
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
Bakkies the administrators and coach remain.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
AndyS that doesn't seem to be the case with regard to Scotland either.
Bakkies
Guest
Don't forget that the Storm have been back heavily by News Limited. Channel 9 who we are led to believe are skint despite spending a massive amount of money on NRL tv rights. Despite the tv coverage criticisms Ch9 have televised some Storm games live.
Bakkies
Guest
The Rebels have already had a clear out. Dad's Army is pretty much gone and a lot of young players have been cast off too.
stu
Guest
You are offering just your opinion, correct?
AndyS
Guest
If they've got to high school and that hasn't already happened, it is probably too late. Kids decide in primary school what their sport is, usually based on what they see on TV at home and what their friends watch.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
That's true MAJB and I question the whole management of the Rebels in the first place. They hired Rod Macqueen, fine in theory but he had been out of the game for years and was allowed to sign on for just a year, ineffective as it proved. They recruited absymally, despite being given far more money to do so by the ARU. They appointed Damien Hill, who had never coached an elite team before (Japan doesn't really count). And all the problems you describe. Can a new franchise be too new for a clear-out?
MAJB
Guest
KPM, What is also needed is a Sporting editor, in Melbourne or Perth, who has a Rugby background and won’t allow Rugby news to be swamped by the “chipped toe-nail drama” AFL reporting. The Super 15 contract players have to develop larger personal profiles in Melbourne and Perth. AFL and lately Soccer dominate the sporting news in Victoria. The Storm has a good profile and advertising companies are using the Storms marquee players, such as Slater and Smith as advertising tools, which suggests the inroads that the Storm has made into Melbourne psyche. Why hasn’t the Rebels marquee players achieved the same? The Rebels crowd figures are better than the Storms and there is far more Rugby played in Melbourne. I think this gets back to good administration and having the press on side.
clipper
Guest
KPM - I think that would be spot on. Rugby in Sydney has always been popular in the more affluent North and East areas and league is strongest in the west and south, therefore there has always been a divide that is difficult to cross. This has not been the case in the AFL states, where a lot of people wouldn't know the difference between the two, and certainly wouldn't attach the demographic distinction that exists in NSW.
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
MAJB I wonder if the ARU aren't worried that they will be targeted even more fiercely by the AFL if they challenge them, although who knows the mysterious workings surrounding this. Perhaps one means of defense in terms of AFL expansion is attack. If rugby could seriously move into the AFL main states, then it would mean it had a broad enough coverage in the country to shield it against any successful inroads made on its territory by the AFL (and NRL/Soccer).
stillmissit
Roar Guru
stu yes it is. I can't imagine any youngster with go in him not wanting to play a contact sport. It should be compulsory for any school bully to see if they really have the gonads or not. I found in my day that the guys playing rugby were more fun and better people to be around than my soccer playing mates. BTW although I played 1st grade rugby from age 19 I still played soccer on Sundays unless there was no company sponsored rugby to play. I did get several games for the Whitbread team and we got to share a keg of beer and free food afterwards - great fun. A youngster who wants to play soccer is fine by me any sport is better than none.... but that is a problem for another day....
MAJB
Guest
KMP, Your article has relieved a few fears about my Father’s homeland. The last press release I saw, in Scotland, was predicting the demise of Scottish Rugby. How better participation in Australian Rugby is achieved is perplexing. Soccer has always had a large junior number and I always thought that this would, one day, translate into growth at the elite level. Look at the growth of Soccer in Australian Private Schools. This brings me to Australian Rugby. Although success at Super 15 and the International levels has been patchy and people who watch Rugby are not going to games, the grassroots of Australian Rugby is in good health. Two problems that I see are the perception that Rugby is elitist, IE. Sydney Private Schools, and that the ARU is arrogant and out of touch. The latter may be true but the former is not. The expansion of AFL is a serious issue and this has not been properly addressed. The AFL has been caught using bogus player participation numbers on three separate occasions. The AFL’s own statistician has refuted the AFLs propaganda. This tacit, of lying, plus throwing huge amounts of money at Local Government, the press and other community groups, is working. The migration of people from the Southern States to Sydney and Brisbane has increase interest in AFL in these areas. There has been similar migration from the Northern States to Melbourne and Perth but the interest in Rugby or League is swamped by the AFL dominated press in these areas. Why isn’t the ARU actively and publically challenging the AFL’s participation figures? Why isn’t it challenging the situations where the AFL pays local government for exclusive use of public playing fields? However, this is all defence. The simple strategy used is Scotland is a must and why can’t current Wallabies have part of their contract to work as development officers in areas where Rugby does not have presence. Why can’t the Gillberts be handed out in schools just like Sherrins? Where is the Rugby’s equivalent of Auskick?
Kippa
Guest
Schools then club. You gotta create the passion in the young first. Club culture will only benefit from the kids. Something I have noticed I'd that their is a lot of league clubs in Brisbane with pokies and restaurants. How many union clubs have this??? It is creating a culture on and offs the field. Rugby club houses that are at best tin sheds..,
kingplaymaker
Roar Guru
AndyS but the Scottish case would be an example to the contrary: they quite literally doubled their playing numbers in five years through schools. Perhaps local clubs aren't the magic bullet everyone assumes they are? Also, that they spend more on schools than community rugby in WA and ACT doesn't prove so much, as they spend almost nothing on community rugby in those two states.
Bakkies
Guest
It is common in Ireland for kids to play both Soccer and Rugby. I say there is a point when kids have to drop one of them as they get older. Kids do need a sport that provides the right amount of physical contact, which is a good selling point for Rugby. Soccer is obviously popular as a participant sport but their administrator and national league is dire. The only advantage the national league is that it's in UEFA.
AndyS
Guest
They already spend more on Schools rugby than on all community rugby in the ACT and WA combined. On the evidence of it, is still more really going to represent the best return on investment? Schools shouldn't be where kids get their best chance at learning the game, that should be the clubs. At best school should be where they develop an interest, but in practical terms you'd get a better result getting some decent coverage on TV. Kids play what their mates play, and better they do it because they want to than be forced by a school syllabus. We played all manner of different sports at school but not one of them were we unaware of, didn't already have an opinion on and no-one had their mind changed by having to play them at school.