Until the sport fixes its financial base, not much can be done to achieve rugby union’s wish list here in Australia.
In business, you either cut costs, grow the pie, or do a combination of both.
If cutting a franchise is the answer many, then the question that follows is which franchise. Given there are some that believe that this will not happen until 2020, I would rather focus on growing the revenue base.
Just for a brief moment, can we imagine that there was no NRL. Imagine how much more talent and revenue would be at the disposal of the ARU. Fans of a body contact sport would either follow AFL or rugby.
Okay, this is not going to happen to the men’s game, but what about women?
I know they are trying to advance the sport’s footprint in this area – and what an opportunity this is for the ARU.
[latest_videos_strip category=”rugby” name=”Rugby”]
One thing that would not cost a lot of money would be to pay the women’s sevens team the same amount as the men’s. That would put the sport ahead of AFL and cricket, and surely provide much-needed positive publicity.
There are many positives from growing the sport in this area, as it is a relatively new market for both broadcasters and sponsors. For example, on the ABC’s Offsiders, women’s sports features heavily.
If the ARU was to set up, like the AFL, a women’s sevens competition, then maybe the ABC or another free-to-air network would carry it.
The ARU have been gifted something here, with the Opals winning the gold medal in Rio, and they must manage this, because I fear we are running out of chances.
NaBUru38
Guest
There should be a Super Seven with men and women teams, held from December to February.
MelR
Guest
1.Pull the plug on SANZAAR and establish our own comp, get aussie companies behind us and SBS if there are no takers for tv contract ;) 2. Replace the the whole ARU board, we need new ideas and leaders not shadow dancers. 3. Bring back all our expat coaches from Europe. 4. Leave all our expat players in Europe, once they've gone overseas....see ya later! 5. Totally agree with growing womens rugby, lets start with sevens,club, NRC and then take it from there. 6. Reverse the Giteau rule. NO Giteau rule :) Its blocking new talent coming through... 7. Kiwis who live and work in Aussie on Roar must support a local Aussie super rugby team....for now....
Jacko
Guest
Yet they state that the 20M it cost for admin is 21% of income so something aint adding up. Figures say income of 97million
Jacko
Guest
Whats the Shute shield...Is that what Sheek wants ammo for? Oopps wrong shoot.
Jacko
Guest
but he said enjoy the ride....that sounds lovely Piru
Jacko
Guest
And it is around 20% of income where other countries are around 8-11% of income.
cookie
Roar Guru
If the ARU don't get their act together in regards to womans rugby in all formats they will be lost to AFL and in the long run their kids and husband. The passiveness of AFL will win them many players but the variability of rugby will also win rugby many players..
concerned supporter
Guest
@ Perthstayer The ARU's Corporate Expenses were AUD $ 17.58 Million, not AUD $10 Million.
Ian Brown
Roar Pro
RT I agree with your sentiments re replies. The thing that concerns me is that if St. Leonards are looking at this site then when Dwards put his post on re his daughter then nothing on the site re a pathway for his daughter, amazing. I like you have had exposure to some of the leaders talked about and I walked away shaking my head in disbelief about their ideas. The unfortunate thing that this was pretty much predictable but even when it was self evident no-one in senior management has had the strength to admit their errors.
RT
Guest
You know my biggest concern is that this article has 20 odd comments. Frankly it should have hundreds! There are so many things right with Australian rugby, particularly at the grass roots level but those in charge, who went to my school btw, are not doing what needs doing. I could write a doctoral thesis on this stuff starting with the farce that is getting an accounting firm to do a highly paid assessment of your opportunities. Really? Consultant accountants telling you how to run the game. Omg.
Perthstayer
Roar Rookie
pformagg - I saw elsewhere on Roar that ARU spend $10m, per year, more than Kiwis and SA on "corporate expenses". Focus must be on FTA. It's radical but SR teams need to step up to ensure their own survival. ARU are a busted flush and will not change. SR teams should help drive advertisers to FTA. Get sponsors to advertise for a year or two as part of their sponsorship package. It's risky but could/should build ground swell of viewers, which in turn gets advertisers in for the FTA people. Aussie rugby is skint but Ian's option of growing to get out of this rut I believe is the best. Risks are big but they can be sensible and measured, and not just a huge gamble.
concerned supporter
Guest
Jacko, The Broadcasting Revenue the ARU receive from Sanzaar is AUD $57 M per year. They receive Gate Takings, Sponsorship in addition.In 2015, the Gross Income of the ARU was AUD $ 84 M.
Jacko
Guest
Dont try to grow the game....Just manage the game properly, put the emphasis on grass roots with whats left over from the 100million a year they get and get the Admin costs down to 7-8 million and the game will grow itself. 1 other thing...Pulver has to go... and a long way away....Donate him free to the NRL or AFL and maybe in a few years rugby will have more atheletes available to choose from.
Jacko
Guest
Pass the Ammo all you like but if they shoot like they play then I can see lots of barn doors being unscathed
Dopplerman
Guest
free to air for super rugby is the way to go even if its state specific such as WA gets all the force games NSW all the waratahs etc And as noted above "Mehrten’s expression" how about a rugby show with out ex wallabies hosting .Instead hosted by actual intelligent reporters, free thinking critics who love the game who form neutral opinions based on research interviews and FACTS. Above all, not afraid to criticize whoever! I am so over these stupid jokes reminiscing stories , mindless statistics and golf every time we watch these guys.
Dwards
Roar Rookie
Agree with your thoughts. Getting women involved more will bring in mothers and this brings in their kids. AFL are winning big time on this. I have a daughter that would love to play - no mechanism though.
piru
Roar Rookie
Oh look, Jeff has something negative to say shocker
piru
Roar Rookie
And who has the biggest women's comp in the country? I'll wait while you google it No I won't - RugbyWA is the answer
Smiggle Jiggle
Roar Guru
How do you pay them, if the money isnt there.
You'reRightThereMurray
Guest
Spot on mate and well said. Rugby is a global game and despite Foxtel propping up AFL and the NRL, there's more rahrah on Fox than any of the 3 codes. The NZ panel shows are brilliant to watch and so are the SA's. It gives you great perspective into their coaching compared to us. Its also really annoying to have to skip channels to watch the different rugby competitions.