The NSWRU Board

[Lindommer]

Arvid Petersen was the CEO of Pepsi-Cola Bottlers when Lion Nathan owned it, which was up until the late 90s. I got to know him around 1990 as I was a business associate of the LN boss at the time, he's a helluva nice bloke, personally. Lion Nathan did have a lot of pull in rugby, and league, due to their Tooheys' sponsorships (doesn't it give you the shits to see VB plastered all over New South Wales teams? Or Carlton Draught) and Arvid ended up on the NSWRU board. He was part of the financial disaster of the 2000s at NSWRU and I can't help thinking he's been there long enough and should stand aside for a new face. In fact anyone associated with the old board should move on.

 

[Gagger]

I don't give a shit who is on the board, they don't make the tackles and run the ball.

They make sure there are party pies for the Journos

For real FP?

The fish rots from the head down

 

[Rob42]

Private ownership would be throwing the baby out with the bathwater. Are we suggesting that with the size of the rugby community in Sydney, we can't find a handful of people who are both passionate about great rugby and capable of running a professional sporting organisation?

 

[Gagger]

So, the story builds....

EZ and AP are Chair and bagman at NSWRU from 2004 to 2009, and then skip over to Waratahs Inc, until now.

Someone have a simple timeline of the NSWRU & Tahs finances over that time? When/how did they go bust?

 

[fatprop]

For real FP?

The fish rots from the head down

.... you guys seem to have a greater belief in a boards ability to change things than I do.

My life perception is that boards turning up and having a meeting once a month more often than not do f*ck all except take the kudos for success and keep well away from failure.

 

[Gagger]

In an organisation of thousands of employees and endless management layers, maybe

But Foley answers directly to these guys. If they're not as, or more responsible than him, who is?

 

[Brumby Jack]

They make sure there are party pies for the Journos

And fine ones at that! Barbabrian can also vouch for such delicacies.

 

[rugbyisfun]

I hear Rob Millner (Soul Pats, Brickworks etc, of the TG Millner/Eastwood connection) is President of Sydney Rugby. Maybe this is a step in the right direction?

 

[fatprop]

In an organisation of thousands of employees and endless management layers, maybe

But Foley answers directly to these guys. If they're not as, or more responsible than him, who is?

To me it is down to the coach and the team, the rest are just there for facilitation.

I would assume Foley reports to the CEO, and presents to the board, but being a rugby board, lots of political side chats building coalitions would be there as well.

As for the Foley's performance, I think he appears to be a good coach who made errors in his first year as head coach, that happens.

That approach may have been incorrect, errors were made IMHO particularly in recruitment (and we don't know how much of that was his decision Link always said it took three years to get the squad you wanted), but if he can reflect on these errors and present a way forward, I see no reason not to give him more time.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

oh come on. What business person is going to throw money at those things? Jnr Development? Facilities? Training coaches? What sort of return could they expect? No ones going to do it out of the goodness of their heart. It'll be about potential return and none of those thinngs spin money.

And isn't that the crux of the long term problem?

If you invest wisely, that investment will "spin money" in future years as the young'uns come through the system, provided you can retain the good'uns.

We are not all that good at that are we.

 

[Ash]

Do refresh our memories

One line summary: when the ARU gave control back to the NSWRU the NSWRU's first act was to vote every single ARU rep off the board, and stick Arvid Peterson in charge instead. The story I heard is that some of the ARU reps were not too happy to be immediately removed.

As Lindommer alluded to, most of the guys who stuck themselves back on the NSWRU were the same guys who were responsible for the financial disaster to begin with. Peterson et al should have been gone a long time ago.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Deep pockets to fund things other that players salaries.

Junior development, and academy programmes. SRU development.

Redevelopment of ovals and training facilities, lights, drainage etc.

Tahs into schools, Tahs into Hospitals etc.

Teach the Teacher coaches in the public system.

Pay to fix all those things that the NSWRU doesn't have $ or inclination to invest in.

Yes, yes and yes. If someone where to come forth with the necessary deep pockets to do so, it would actually make very good business sense to do all three of these things. Not only will it build the necessary talent stream but by getting out into schools you are working toward building the fanbase which will form the backbone of your financial returns.

 

[rugbysmartarse]

perhaps the Tahs benefactor could at the very least emply a professional marketing team and not rely on unpaid interns.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

...snip....

Looking at the Sydney premiership clubs, Gordon, Warringah, Norths, Easts, Randwick, Souths and Eastwood are basically broke (Parramatta and Penrith I don't know). The club I'm involved with, West Harbour, simply refuse to live beyond their means and post a modest profit every year. Not difficult when the Treasurer's on the staff of the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority, the banks' watchdog! To ask the Sydney clubs to sign up for a bigger competition with increased expenses is sheer folly, a potential for further disaster.

...snip...

Memo from Waratahs Inc Board

Dear Mr Lindommer

May we please borrow your West Harbour Club Treasurer to become our next Chairman of the Board?

Yours in Rugby
Outgoing Board Chairman

 

[Inside Shoulder]

Actually, Iiwii, Lindommer is a long standing and respected member of this forum and not a member of the Waratahs Board.

Bruce this is uncharacteristically tautological: "Lindommer is a long standing and respected member of this forum" conveyed "not a member of the Waratahs Board".

 

[Bruce Ross]

Bruce this is uncharacteristically tautological: "Lindommer is a long standing and respected member of this forum" conveyed "not a member of the Waratahs Board".

You're in good form, IS.
.

 

[Gagger]

Who is the man lurking in the background of this pic with the halo and comfy sneakers?....

 

[It is what it is]

Who is the man lurking in the background of this pic with the halo and comfy sneakers?..

View attachment 2566

Famous Schoolboy Coach/Selector Br Brian Murphy, hence the halo.

 

[Gagger]

Separated at birth with Bruce Ross?

 

[waratahjesus]

Separated at birth with Bruce Ross?

Why? Cos all men of a fine vintage look the same? A little bit racist there gagger.