The torpedo
Peter Fenwicke (45)
It's more not part of the 'boys club' than no rugby background
Declining participation and ARU plans for the future
- Thread starter RugbyReg
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It's more not part of the 'boys club' than no rugby background
WorkingClassRugger
David Codey (61)
The torpedo
Peter Fenwicke (45)
Poor on-field results and play by Australian rugby sides
WorkingClassRugger
David Codey (61)
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
I generally have not really enjoyed any of the Oz conference games so far this season and that is what I mainly watch ie Oz sides playing as not interested watching NZ sides play NZ sides or SA sides etc.
Just not feeling I am watching professional standard quality football to be frank which I find incredibly concerning as the quality of rugby reflected in crowds and yes I can see why. I am moreso tending to record and fast forward through games as very few games holding enough interest to sit through 80 minutes of.
I for one am concerned that with season how starting off risk of Oz rugby losing a Super Rugby side now starting to feel very high as performances by Oz sides not helping make a case to retain all 5 sides. And that is what concerns me as I just don't see how only offering just 4 professional rugby sides can help compete at grass roots level against Football and League for players with so many limited professional opportunities on offer. Chicken and egg. I don't know what all the answers are and I know some things are being worked on but it feels we need a major change catalyst (yes rich benefactor to invest in rugby would be nice dream but dreaming about winning lotto won't help) to break out of this downward trajectory rugby seems to be heading down. As some developments providing some blips of positives seems to be outweighed by general downward trend for rugby in this country at professional level. I don't think I can continue to sit through such low quality games of Super Rugby offered by Oz sides....On the upside at least my partner will be happy I am watching less rugby on TV!
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Not sure I completely agree or at same time completely disagree. As a person with strong strategic leadership and management qualities could be the answer if and big if could attract right person who knows how to build a quality team and put right plans and structures in place to execute. They put the people in below them who have the required rugby knowledge and who can make things happen. ie quality of team they put in place.
But yes unless you have a passion for the game unlikely to get these sort of leaders for what would get paid in Corporate Sector. Also agree that not necessarily will get a better result than someone with rugby pedigree as that would have to have some exceptional other leadership and management qualities to offset lack of rugby knowledge (and understanding of the product). And yes for money paid would be hard to find and attract candidates who could fit this bill.
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
There are structural differences between NZ and Australia that can't be replicated on our rugby landscape.
For one, our provinces are quite large, and not easy to cover with centralised administration from somewhere hundreds of kilometres away.
Unfortunately we're in a cycle where poor coaching development, and poor pathway development, are finally coming home to roost.
The NRC will help address this to a degree - BUT still has the political fight with Premier Rugby to sort out. While that pattern continues, we'll continue to be a basket case.
At lower levels, I'm assured this U20 program in whatever form it takes is awesome. But I don't think it actually helps as much as a domestic competition where a few of these young tyros can get their arse handed to them instead of getting smoke blown up it.
More importantly, who is going to stick their hand up to tell our "rugby nurseries" how badly they're doing?
For one, our provinces are quite large, and not easy to cover with centralised administration from somewhere hundreds of kilometres away.
Unfortunately we're in a cycle where poor coaching development, and poor pathway development, are finally coming home to roost.
The NRC will help address this to a degree - BUT still has the political fight with Premier Rugby to sort out. While that pattern continues, we'll continue to be a basket case.
At lower levels, I'm assured this U20 program in whatever form it takes is awesome. But I don't think it actually helps as much as a domestic competition where a few of these young tyros can get their arse handed to them instead of getting smoke blown up it.
More importantly, who is going to stick their hand up to tell our "rugby nurseries" how badly they're doing?
Rugbynutter39
Michael Lynagh (62)
Good post Pfitzy.
We are doing some good things like NRC etc but at same time NRC shown how making real change in view of the political landscape that is Australian Rugby is and in view of the strength of competition from less fractured and stronger football codes in League and AFL which adds extra challenges and pressures to change more quickly.
I certainly have seen more effort by ARU to make changes than any previous administrations. I guess left for so long made it much harder but only way going to improve things is through lot of bloody hard work and constant efforts to challenge the status quo and look at how we can constantly improve and innovate. A bit of luck along the way would be good e.g. rich benefactor...but more likely good fortune will come through willing to try new things - some won't work - some will - and with a bit of luck some could be game changers for the game in this country. ie we need to find our Big Bash! Or maybe our big bash equivalent at grass roots levels.
At least it is well recognised at all levels (ok most levels) change needs to happen.
wamberal
Phil Kearns (64)
We have had this conversation before. New Zealand is better than us at rugby now because they have been better at rugby for the whole of recorded history. An understanding and appreciation of the game exists just about everywhere, from side to side, from top to down, and back again.
As my Keewee neighbour says, every mother in New Zealand understands the Laws of the Game. Probably a slight exaggeration, but not by much.
I do not know what we can do, although I must say that I had hoped that Mick Byrne's input might have started to become apparent this season.
As my Keewee neighbour says, every mother in New Zealand understands the Laws of the Game. Probably a slight exaggeration, but not by much.
I do not know what we can do, although I must say that I had hoped that Mick Byrne's input might have started to become apparent this season.
Pfitzy
George Gregan (70)
p.Tah
John Thornett (49)
It appears to not be just an issue confined to rugby. I would have thought the Macarthur region would be very strong for RL
“It should also be noted that rugby league participation numbers across the board have declined over the past two years, which is in line with a decline nationally in all organised sport, in particular with the teenage demographic.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...l/news-story/10981dd31ed7ad0df6a3319acc002768
“It should also be noted that rugby league participation numbers across the board have declined over the past two years, which is in line with a decline nationally in all organised sport, in particular with the teenage demographic.”
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/ne...l/news-story/10981dd31ed7ad0df6a3319acc002768
half
Alan Cameron (40)
This is a couple of years old now and its about AFL in Melbourne.
What is clear is both soccer and basketball are growing in numbers and the more physical games are losing players. As well as an overall fall in total numbers of players Australia wide.
The recent Knights case about the duty of care by clubs are a player is knocked out and the way the more physical games are portrayed in the media does not help.
I guess I am saying and this is a worry, both league and rugby are losing numbers but soccer and basketball are growing.
As I said I kept this clip from a facebook post a client sent me when it came out.
The beyond scary part part for me was the reaction of the AFL to the numbers they said they would pour 80 million into their junior programs and we have also seen them start up their women's league.
This is from 9 news in Melbourne about two years ago and last year soccer and basketball player number went up again as AFL, League and Union all fell.
Tis worth having a look.
https://www.facebook.com/footballvic/videos/886582498029781
Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
Politics is also hurting us, to many people up top thinking about themselves and the top. Plenty of punters at our level want to see rugby thrive, and have no doubt contributed along the way.
Question - how much money does the top need to tip into a model like this.
Done well repeatidly - doing good repeatidly builds rubs off and grows.
#supporteachother #supportthegame
#parkrugby at its best - who knows who'll pass by.
Gotta love the Marlins, and the new Jets training T and a plug for Paladin for getting them out there.
Question - how much money does the top need to tip into a model like this.
- AFL's school Auskick charges parents $50 a kid for the after school 5 week program.
- NAB is the sponsor of that program, not sure of their contribution but gee they get some good exposure.
- 100 kids paying $50 = $5000.
- 1 coach per 15 kids = 30 coaches.
- Each coach is paid @ $30 /hr for 2hrs = $2000..
- Budget on $2000 worth of hand outs and promotional material .
- The operation running it makes $1,000 less the expenses to make it happen, plus the sponsorship and good will.
Done well repeatidly - doing good repeatidly builds rubs off and grows.
#supporteachother #supportthegame
#parkrugby at its best - who knows who'll pass by.
Gotta love the Marlins, and the new Jets training T and a plug for Paladin for getting them out there.
Rugby Central
Charlie Fox (21)
The battlefield for junior recruitment has moved and the ARU have again been caught napping.
Gone are the days where boys would do whatever sport dad told them. They have more choices and social pressure is much stronger than it was 30 years ago. Viva 7's is a great initiative but it's still waiting for people to come to them, not chasing the schools to build participation.
DB - it is great to see what Manly are doing. Unfortunately SS in it's current structure is no different to Subbies. Structure not quality. Premier Players don't have the time to add kids coaching to their jobs, families and social lives. And unless you can find $100 per hour for them to coach, players are unlikely to forgo a full time wage/salary to do it.
However, there are a whole bunch of well paid players who seem to do sweet FA for community rugby (locally they wear sky blue) Maybe if they each spent 2-4 hours a week (every week) going out to schools talking to kids and running regular clinics. If they are doing something, on a regular basis, it would be great to hear about it.
On a side note - for an administration full of high flying bankers and lawyers, it's astounding they can't find a single bank or law firm to invest in the game at community level.
Dave Beat
Paul McLean (56)
Seen a few Premier Players at rugby camps over the last year being paid. School Holiday camps that go from 9 - 3.
Even some of the professionals chip in;
And the kids love it.
And yes i agree with you on the "well paid players" in no way am I debating you there. In my eyes it should be there employer ensuring their employees are doing certain things for the game.
All the Super Rugby players do school visits and coaching events.
The expectation that every player can be doing lots of hours per week is a bit unreasonable though. It ends up being the injured and fringe players who do a lot of it because the marquee players get their non training time taken up by media and sponsor appearances etc.
The expectation that every player can be doing lots of hours per week is a bit unreasonable though. It ends up being the injured and fringe players who do a lot of it because the marquee players get their non training time taken up by media and sponsor appearances etc.
dru
Tim Horan (67)
That's not what I expect.