The disconnection that has been allowed to develop in Australia between professional and grassroots rugby is both real and one of a number of reasons why the health of the game remains parlous.
But even if some agenda-driven commentators continue to finger-point, shame and points-score, what matters more is the work being undertaken in various parts of the country – often outside of the media spotlight – to reinforce the true values of the sport, and bring all participants back under the same roof.
One of those pockets exists in suburban Melbourne – not a renowned or natural heartland of rugby, but where a fast-growing bunch of rugby tragics has, through their love of the game, shown a way forward for rugby fans and professional administrators alike.
Initially formed in the 1980s, then dying off, before being resurrected in 2015 with two sides, Vic Masters Rugby now numbers 12 teams and counting.
Not only does it provide any player over 35 years with two legs (or half a good one) a regular game of rugby, an opportunity to bond with like-minded mates, and to quench a thirst, it also shows how the gap between the elite and amateur game is not as wide as some would have us believe.
Of course ‘golden oldies’ rugby has thrived across the world for decades, and there are plenty of similar social rugby outlets around the country, but what impresses most about Vic Masters is that this is no short-term sugar hit.
Embracing a high level of organisation and links to prominent men’s health issues, there is a determination to ensure that the experience is lasting, fun and rewarding for all participants – including the players’ families.
After initially operating outside of the Victorian Rugby Union, a natural footing has been found where the Vic Masters functions as a distinct entity, but with teams affiliated to, and all players registered with, Victorian clubs, ensuring proper integration with the sport’s existing infrastructure.
This is important for a number of reasons – connectivity, longevity, enhanced rugby identity, and the chance for small clubs operating on the smell of an oily rag to pump out sausage and onion sangers and a few beers over the bar to bolster their coffers.
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Rather than adopt a standard home-and-away fixture, Vic Masters comprises a series of festival days, where each club gets to host all of the other clubs once during the season. It’s a great model – multiple games occurring simultaneously, with players from one club filling a spot for another club where they might be short. And even if the pre-drink-drive days aren’t revisited and crowds disperse at a respectable family hour, the events represent a welcome boost for each hosting club.
“It’s financially very important, our biggest day of the year,” says Ray ‘Chick’ Dougherty of the Maroondah Rugby Club, a two-team club operating deep in classic AFL territory in Melbourne’s east.
“It’s not just AFL too,” he explains. “We don’t have any juniors, obviously soccer is popular and in this particular area, the Melbourne Storm are big and rugby league does a lot of recruiting. But we’ve got a great little club and, along with our competition sides, the Masters is a fantastic addition.”
While modest, the Maroondah clubhouse is functional, and – most importantly – it is theirs. The playing surface is exemplary, one of the best in Melbourne, if a little firm for some of the old bones who find themselves going to ground a little easier than they might have two or three decades earlier.
While all of the teams comprise a misfit, mish-mash of Kiwi, UK, South African and Pacific Islander accents, do not assume that this is an ex-pat concern. The sideline is overwhelmingly middle and working-class Australian, with ear studs, tatts, wrap-around sunnies and animated conversations about how hard it is to get a decent apprentice to the fore.
Adding to the colour are the players themselves, their club jerseys sporting not only their numbers but nicknames such as ‘Twinkie’, ‘Critter’, ‘Step-bro’, ‘Cider’, ‘Pizza’, ‘Detective’ and ‘Chewie’.
There are stories at every turn; Matiu Makiha, whose idol is the late ‘Stormin’ Norman Berryman; Gloucester native Karl Dix, who finally retired from first-grade rugby at the ripe age of 44; ex-Randwick club man and Australian kickboxing champion Andrew Pitt; and Irishman Niall Guing, who speaks for every rugby player when he says “the first beer drunk after a tough game of rugby is the most satisfying drink there is.”
Respect for the game, opponents and the referee is paramount, with a ‘no fighting’ rule firmly in place in case anyone happens to forget what they are really here for. None of which prevented a minor controversy in one of last weekend’s early matches, when a length-of-the-field kick-and-chase almost led to a try, with the exhausted attacker knocking on in the final act of forcing the ball.
The equally knackered referee was found on halfway, in no position to rule accurately, but nevertheless he signalled a try – which naturally brought howls of derision from the sideline. Sensing a snafu but without a TMO to call on, the ref thus employed the time-honoured ‘honesty system’, asking the attacker if it really was a try or not, and the right outcome ensued. If only professional sport was so pure and so simple!
Brendan Matthews from the Powerhouse club is another to tout the benefits of Masters rugby: “The rugby is actually only a small part of it. It’s an important avenue for men to be able to socialize outside of work and family – just like we did when we played when we were younger. But then we’re still able to bring the wives and kids in on days like these and really hone in on a community focus.”
Interestingly, while the crowd sports livery from all corners of the world, it is Melbourne Rebels merchandise that is by far the most prominent. As pleasing as this is, it’s not by accident.
Through the combined efforts of Vic Masters President Ian Barker, General Manager of Rugby Victoria Chris Evans, and Rebels CEO Baden Stephenson, Vic Masters has been embraced by the local rugby community, just as the Melbourne Chargers – successful in last year’s Bingham Cup tournament – and new junior clubs Brimbank and Racing Melbourne have been.
A large selection of Masters players recently played a curtain-raiser for the Rebels vs Brumbies Super Rugby match, in the guise of the ‘Old Blacks’ versus the ‘Wannabees’ and more matches are mooted for the future (and yes, just for the record, New Zealand won that one too).
Regardless of the commercial potential for rugby in a city of 4.9 million people – cited as one of the reasons for the retention of the Rebels in Super Rugby ahead of the Force – the Melbourne organisation clearly understands the importance of forging ties with its natural constituency in the wider community, and ensuring that the relationship is two-way.
The Rebels have embraced the local rugby community. (Photo by Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
Certainly the goodwill in ‘Masters-land’ towards the Rebels is obvious, with no apparent roadblocks preventing connection and understanding. On the sidelines, there is little or no chatter around the politics of SANZAAR or Rugby Australia – rather, these are people who want to enjoy the game at a personal level, who understand rugby’s structure and hierarchy, who want the sport to be successful in Melbourne at all levels, and feel like they are part of that.
While the scale is modest – this is Melbourne, AFL central after all – these are important, solid foundations for rugby, at a time when the sport faces enormous challenges in Australia.
Vic Masters demonstrates the level of latent support for the game that is lurking in every suburb in every city around the country, and its undoubted success in Melbourne shows what is possible when enthusiasm and a shared love of the game take precedence over old grudges, petty parochialism and aloof administration.
Vic Masters deserves the full support of everyone in the game – players new to the game are welcome too – and anyone interested in finding out more, or reviving their old Campese goose-step, should contact their nearest rugby club, or visit the Vic Masters website for further information.
‘The Wrap’ in its usual format will return after a three-week pilgrimage through the south of the USA. Watch out next week for an update on Major League Rugby, the USA’s new professional competition.
Jimbo
Guest
Malo, you know nothing about Melbourne club rugby. Maroondah are a small second division club, but there is a long tradition of rugby going back over 120 years in Victoria. Melbourne Uni was founded in the 1890s. It was from the various rugby teams attached to cricket clubs that the VFA (forerunner of the VFL and AFL) formed. The top clubs are all growing strongly. One of he later clubs, Harlequins, was founded in 1928 as a sporting club for "British Gentleman" today has its ground at Ashwood - two fields and a beautiful club house. Fielding 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th teams as well as Colts and the junior teams range from under 6 to under 18 with over180 junior players (both boys and girls). A young Ewen McKenzie played with club and it has produced 14 other internationals. There is longer history of Rugby in Victoria than in Western Australia. It was disappointing that the Force were cut - but Melbourne has a population of 6 million people and that is a huge potential. The problem is that Super rugby is not understood. RA must have the guts to form a strong domestic competition with ten or twelve teams - possibly including Asian and Pacific Island teams. Victorians are supporting the Storm in Rugby League - yet there has never really been a true league comp in the State. The Storm supporters do because the know who Parramatta, etc are and that means they can develop a tribal attitude to their team. Even the most ardent rugby union fan is hard pressed to know who the hell are "the Lions" "the Stormers" etc. All WA and Vic rugby supporters must start pressuring RA to get out of Super Rugby and bring back The Force and have a NATIONAL rugby championship.
RobC
Roar Guru
But it was done with the best intention and in recognition that Aus Rugby was a truly small sized sport. As a response Rugby got a "pick me up" by focusing on test matches, combined with NZ and SA, gave it scale. This business model also encased Aus Rugby into a prison that incentivised escape from local community, and isolation with the local community at large. I refer not to grassroots Rugby. I refer to grassroots - everyone. But there's no escaping it now. Its head-on competition: - Rugby vs league - Qld and NSW ARU of old did some things right by tapping into the global market. The job now is different. Grow the local market, which is a long, slow process. But I think its not that difficult, all the pieces are in place. Just need someone to put it together. And no. Its not Raylene Castle, imo.
RobC
Roar Guru
Hi guys, I didn't see your responses about Rugby v league. Only chanced upon these when saw a new comment from Jimbo on another topic a few minutes ago. Yes Rugby was #2 in the market for a moment in history. But did it deserve it? imo it was serendipitous. It was also a result of 30 years of hard work by a bunch of nobodies that led to this success. But not sustainable. Rugby's popularity then fell off the cliff. Deservedly so. As you all pointed out here, the problem here is administration. Fix that, then Rugby will bounce back, this time it should do so sustainably. I think it takes around 30 years to make a difference. And only if everything is done correctly. So it will take time. The root of this problem is in governance. ARU for a century+, was organised more like the CCP (China) than a normal sports union. It started to change in 2012, via the Peter Cosgrove governance review There's many consequential reasons for Rugby's fall from grace: - Haphazard coach development - Overreaching in new Aus markets - Other disastrous decisions such as committing to a closed-in community (Pay TV)
Jimbo Lamb
Guest
Malo, you know nothing of Victorian rugby or its history. The Dewer Shield competition has three grades per club plus a colts side. Harlequin Club (formed in 1928) this year has over 180 juniors and is growing all the time. The club has produced a few great players, including Ewen McKenzie. A number of the current Rebels team were playing with Quins last year. At least find out the full story before publishing!!
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
They most certainly are. And a great bunch of blokes too, I don't have a bushy grey mustache so I don't quite fit in, but we team up from time to time to take on the larger teams. . Any chance of you making a cameo some day? We (ExPats) and a few other sides are looking for more cattle.
jack
Roar Rookie
sounds awesome
Nicholas Bishop
Expert
Thanks for bothering to make this connection Geoff. Reawakening that sense of bottom-to-top' will be key to Australia's resurgence, although a lot of it happens invisibly... Same thing happening in Wales too. Good luck in the US (esp Texas)!
Peter Kelly
Guest
Kiwi kids can play a lot of rugby - My sons at 13 to 16 in NZ was playing for School, Club, and Zone or Province. Wednesday, Saturday and every 3rd Sunday Training Monday and Thursday at school, Tuesday and Wednesday evening for club, Sunday when no game Monday and Thursday afternoon/evening for Zone/Province We had a farm in country Southland, the miles we and family used to clockup was worth every minute of entertainment. I haven't added in the trips around NZ and to Aus for tournaments - I still miss it
piru
Roar Rookie
Are the old Puffing Billies still about Timbo? My old man played for them back in the day
Ian Barker
Guest
Thanks mate. I am now connected with scrumwa and expats. I know Josh Dodd who helps to run scrumwa. The photos I always see of your festivals look like great fun. Hopefully meet up one day for a beer. I am working on a platform for all over 35s teams to communicate on.
duecer
Guest
That's wishful thinking - Rugby was at one time no.2, but has slipped to no.4 in Sydney., although it is a lot more competitive market. Who knows what will happen in 30 years - will RL still be No. 1, will RU recover some ground, will Football be able to translate huge participation into audience, will GWS get anywhere near the Swans standing.
On the Ball
Guest
“I think rugby in the long term will overtake league”. AFL and the A-League have taken over Rugby in NSW. Rugby is now a 4th rated sport in NSW. NRL will always be Number 1 in NSW.
jack
Roar Rookie
Yeah, he did buy into it with a view to make a profit. And with the millions of dollars that he siphoned out of the business, he made a profit all right. The business didn't though and he offloaded it as soon as the money tree was just about empty. No offence to you and your comment made in good faith on something you were told by someone you trust. You are not the liar here. It's not my narrative, just my observation.
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Seriously Joe, let's have the SR discussion another day. This is an article about a bunch of guys doing some great things in rugby. My next article will be about another bunch of guys doing great things in rugby in Austin, TX. We all know that rugby in Australia is struggling, and there are important issues to discuss, but we don't have to wallow in that mire every single day. Some days we do well to remind ourselves what a great game it is and that there is plenty to get excited about.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
No. They didn't lose 2 clubs. One was demoted from the top comp to the 2nd comp. Another has now restarted after not having a senior side. Kiwi Hawthorn haven't been in the Dewar Shield since 2012 when they were called Boroondara. Footscray are now fielding a team. So there's an extra. The fact is in many places teams will move up and down competitions. Dewar Shield has in my view, rightly consolidated to maintain a better level of quality (though in my view there's too many clubs around the inner city, and the loss of Southern is definitely a negative as it widens the geographical footprint as well as them having a strong junior base) in the main competition. It's also helping to improve the quality of the lower divisions by having decent clubs there.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Good to see people looking at better ways. It can be a double edged sword though, as the Australian SR model taught us, centralized control doesn't always work out for the little guys. The constitution(s) need to be written in a way that protects the country mouse from the city slickers. It may sound sacrilegious, but It would probably make sense to include the Brumbies in the conversation since the 2 franchises pathways regions intersect. It messes with your head when you consider the Professional entity that are the SR Franchises and Representative Sides but the supply of players is from amateurs and semi-pro players. The solution needs to be holistic, not pure commercial supporting the immediate needs of one Silo.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I read 1 of the 12 Aviva Premiership Clubs posted a profit last year. Apparently the Wasps Group is only viable due to the money it makes renting out Ricoh Stadium facilities to others. And as for Cox apparently siphoning off money. That may have indeed been the case. But to do that he also had to agree to the liability of the Rebels, and if not for the culling situation, he would have been on the hook for propping them up into the future also to keep them afloat.
Joe King
Guest
Of course they are growing, they have only really just begun with a professional team. But no use dressing it up as everything will be rosy in Australian rugby if we just do this or that. I understand your desire to keep Super Rugby Geoff, and I can appreciate your logic behind it, and your arguments against the alternatives. But SR will always be what keeps rugby suffering in Oz, unfortunately. Even winning SR every now and then won't revive rugby in OZ, as has been shown in 2011 and 2015.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
Ian, I have just re-read this article and realized who you are, Drop a message on the "Expats RUFC" facebook page or use your stalking abilities to find me in a recent visitor post. I am pretty new to the scene, but I can get you in touch with someone who can get you in touch, no pun intended.. Same goes for any Perth locals looking for a team to join. Next Carnival is hosted by the "Rockingchairs" in Rockingham starting around lunchtime on Sunday.
Timbo (L)
Roar Guru
It is a pretty informal arrangement, I am sure if you got a "Touring squad" organized that it would be welcomed at a carnival. If it is just a handful of guys (and their families) assuming that they have the right insurance, they could moonlight in a club or to that are struggling with numbers. Contact SCRUMWA. A reciprocal arrangement could be fun - it could coincide with one of the internationals at AAMI.