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“Delay is the deadliest form of denial.”
So, said C. Northcote Parkinson a renowned 20th century British author who is the father of ‘Parkinson’s Law’ that espouses the notion that “work expands so as to fill the time available for its completion”.
Providing commentary on his experience in the British Civil Service and its expansion Northcote concluded such expansions causation was found by two factors namely, “An official wants to multiply subordinates, not rivals” and furthermore “Officials make work for each other.”
I have been recently considering with some angst and at times despair the malaise the Wallabies have found themselves in 2018. In an article I recently penned for The Roar stated ‘Were we not ensured that this year’s Wallabies were fitter, more skillful and prepared for the Irish and the Rugby Championship but yet again we in fan gold are left wondering, ‘What the bloody hell is going on’?’
Reflection has led me to consider ‘Parkinson’s Law’ and Rugby Australia and in particular the promised resurrection of the famed National Coaching Committee.
The initial committee was formed circa 1975 and driven by former Wallaby Dick Marks and few if any informed rugby people can doubt its influence and effectiveness.
Despite its unwarranted axing in 1996 the National Coaching Committee’s knowledge is woven into the fabric of the Golden era of Australia between 1998–2002 as each of those players and coaches alike during that period were nurtured by the committee’s work earlier in their careers.
Move forward to the 25th of May 2017 and Rugby Australia made arguably its finest decision in recent history by resurrecting the National Coaching Committee.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika said, “We’re committed to setting up a national coaching panel”. On the timings of the establishment of such a panel Cheika said, “We have set some sort of time frames around establishment of the panel” and “I’ve been dying to say 100 days because that’s what every American president says,” and furthermore, “Whatever that time is, three and a bit months, we could actually have something set up.”
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika needs to avoid picking too many older players this year. (Photo by Jason O’Brien/Getty Images)
It’s now October 2018. There was no Australian rugby side in the Super Rugby Final coupled with a Wallabies loss to the Irish, no sign of the Bledisloe and a forgettable performance against the Pumas only compounded by a frustrating loss against the Springboks and still no National Coaching Panel.
Why has it taken over 12 months to address the issue of a National Coaching Panel after such early acknowledgement of its required re-implementation? Clearly issues have been manifesting in the Australian rugby game since the woeful 2016 season, yet it was only formally recognised in the 2017 season that such a panel was required yet by 2018 the panel has not been re-established.
Is this effective management of the issue?
I am reliably informed that earlier last month an interview with one prospective Committee member took place, but why such incremental progress – is it stonewalling or is there simply no will involved?
Will this panel be truly independent and allowed to illuminate some cold hard truths about the state of the game and how it is currently coached in Australia, or will it merely be an advisory to the current ‘brains trust’ at Rugby Australia whose advise can be suitably ignored if it’s too hard to swallow?
The problem about the current governance system is it is throwing up personnel in high decision-making roles that are literally learning on the job. Most experienced people coming from the grassroots would know of the contribution made by the coaching committee system but many of the directors of Rugby Australia don’t come from those sources.
For too long there was only one director on Rugby Australia that had had any community rugby administrative experience. That explains how the current question of why a non-in-house coaching panel would work could ever arise. As I am informed some directors don’t even know we had one, let alone that it was a vital part of our success. It’s not only denial that impedes us but often ignorance as well.
Rugby AU chief executive Raelene Caste. (AAP Image/Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)
Bearing all this in mind, the failure to act swiftly to address an issue that is truly at the heart of why Australian rugby is on a losing trajectory both on the pitch and in the hearts and minds of the Australian sports consumer I again ask, ‘what the bloody hell is going on?’
What is going on at a time when Rugby Australia is understood to currently employ more staff now than any other time in its history? Has Rugby Australia set up the bureaucracy to ensure it gets the panel it wants not the panel it actually needs?
The challenge for Rugby Australia in its current model is to let go of its absolute power over how the how the game is currently coached.
As the famous French enlightenment writer Voltaire said, “Cherish those who seek the truth but beware of those who find it.” Welcome the knowledge that a truly independent National Coaching Committee can bring success as it has before.
Seek not the reinforcement of current positions by making this proposed committee or panel subordinate to the current pathway’s development programs. It’s one thing to open and develop pathways, it’s another to teach those walking along them.
There simply can be no further delay. Good governance requires recognising opportunities and seizing the day (carpe diem). This is a no-brainer as it is proven in our history.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.