Rugby is set to receive a massive shot in the arm in New South Wales, after a $20m investment by the state government was announced in a press release this morning.
The money will reportedly go towards the design and construction of a new facility to house all of NSW Rugby’s programmes.
In a joint announcement by NSW Rugby CEO Andrew Hore and the NSW Minister for Sport, Stuart Ayres, it was revealed that a new home for the state’s governing body would commence construction towards the end of 2019. It would house training facilities and gyms for all of the state’s representative sides, while also hosting the administration offices of Rugby NSW.
Not only would the facility play host to teams concerned with developing the sport throughout New South Wales, but it also would house the NSW Positive Rugby Foundation – Rugby NSW’s official charity.
Hore heralded the announcement as bringing in “a new era in NSW Rugby’s 145-year history”.
“We have been working towards this goal for a long time and to have this investment confirmed today is a massive boost for what we are looking to achieve.
“Our goal is to create a home for the whole of the game, from our administrators, charity partners, rugby supporters, members and our NSW representative teams.
“We pride ourselves on delivering the best talent for rugby in this country, from junior to senior level for both men’s and women’s teams and our new home will help us to continue to do so for the good of the game,” he added.
Ayres was similarly bullish on the development, labelling it “fantastic news for rugby in NSW.”
“This new world-class high-performance facility will be the envy of rugby administrations across the world and will support the development of the game.
“But this facility will be so much more than that, with health and wellbeing support and services that will assist the broader community,” he said.
The state opposition, who have been openly hostile to using public money on stadium redevelopment, are yet to comment on the news.
sittingbison
Roar Pro
Grammar nazi alert ;) Regardless
Akari
Roar Rookie
I wondered why they moved from Moore Park as I didn't know MP was RA owned. Makes sense now, if a little wasteful of resources.
Peter FINCH
Guest
A home for "charity partners" and rugby supporters? Explain this Mr Hore, what is being given to whom here? What happened to the facilities proposed for Moore Park, which included a synthetic running track around the perimeter of the rooftop executive bar and grill? What of the alliance with UNSW? Did NSW Rugby simply put in a request for $20 mill without going to the clubs to really hear where $20 mil could be really usefully spent? Just like the Horn Mundine farce, this is just as pointless and will do nothing for rugby as a whole.
concerned supporter
Guest
All right then TWAS, you are a ''know it all'' Does that satisfy you?
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
it’s funny how I’m the “know all” when I’m the only one on here who doesn’t claim to know better than the people currently doing things...
concerned supporter
Guest
Hi Rebel. Just caught comments re this subject, together with that ''know all'' TWAS, who although he lives in Melbourne but is a proclaimed expert on everything. Just saw the 2019 Shute Shield draw.No Penrith, Parramatta has been relabeled West Sydney Two Blues. Andrew Hore at last seems to be doing things, but Roger Davis?????
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
NSW Rugby should be extremely proud of this in general. Any criticism can only be of a government choosing to allocate funds for this.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Every sports grant for a facility that will only be available to a handful of people - probably is...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
So rather than an appeal for votes, this is something for the many, not the few? I think Andrews use of funds for professional team training grounds is a gross misuse of public money. Melbourne Stadiums are well attended and tenanted and offer a decent ROI, but pro sporting teams training facilities, absolutely not.
rebel
Roar Guru
The Waratahs will be housed alongside the organisation's philanthropic arm, the Positive Rugby Foundation, the community arm of NSW Rugby and a new "charities hub" to house partners, such as mental health charity Batyr. NSW Rugby should be extremely proud of their commitment to having charity partners on the premises, allowing them to work closely with the community to expand the good work rugby does all around the state.
rebel
Roar Guru
Sorry make that every grant or financial decision ever.
rebel
Roar Guru
You literally said "They are only interested in putting it in certain electorates. This is pure pork barreling. Happens all the time with facilities for NRL and AFL teams to. You’re naive to think that instead of this the Libs are going to spread $20M across Western Sydney electorates." This has clearly been proven as false yet you are trying to weasel out of your accusations. Again, for someone who clearly wouldn't accept arguements like this against the ARU, you have a severe case of double standards when it comes to throwing out unsubstantiated claims. You went trying to score political points without anything to back it up and it has backfired. What are your thought's on the Andrew's governments grants to sporting clubs.
rebel
Roar Guru
So every sports grant is pork barreling then, righto.
rebel
Roar Guru
Probably one of your best, that's hillarious.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Normally just makes me think of pork crackling...
Akari
Roar Rookie
Any talk of pork barrelling today reminds of: "On Thursday, Nationals MPs led by former deputy prime minister Barnaby Joyce warned any integrity commission must avoid targeting ministers for infrastructure grants that fell outside departmental recommendations - grants that could be described as pork-barrelling." (https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nationals-mps-rebel-over-government-s-integrity-commission-plans-20181129-p50j51.html)
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Ask the Lib Government. They are the ones choosing to allocate the funds to this.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
I’m not aware I’ve said, or implied any different...
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
Because this article isn't about any other grants...
rebel
Roar Guru
I honestly see this as doing something they have done many times before for other sports in other electorates, regardless of the sitting member. I'm not the one jumping at shadows making accusations based on the vibe