The ARU provides direct funding to NSWRU as well and to community rugby programs.
Some people seem to be claiming that the funds have been going in the opposite direction which is not the case.
I can't remember anyone claiming that the grassroots is directly paying for the professional game. The ARU and states have community rugby programs that will no longer be paid for by the professional game, and this will improve the bottom line of those organisations.
Any thinking that the grassroots props up the professional game in any direct capacity is misguided other than to say that in all likelihood, the vast majority of revenues from the sport of rugby come from the grassroots rugby community.
I think it is worthwhile reviewing again what is happening here - the national and state bodies are looking to withdraw their funding support of grassroots rugby - which, considering they're bleeding from every orifice, they are entitled to do - however they wish to keep control of those grassroots programs. It's my belief that this is what is upsetting to most opponents of the proposed changes to the funding model.
When you consider TWAS's analysis on The Roar of the progress of players to professionalism, which highlights that the majority come through recognised pathways, and the most significant pathway is through Schools football (I may be taking some licence with his report here), I think it's extremely arrogant of the ARU and states to think the grassroots would want to pay for any community rugby programs that we don't directly control. The vast majority of grassroots participants and volunteers just want to have a good, strong competition where, aside from some rep footy and cultural cross pollination with other regions through tours, etc, maximising participation in the sport which we all love, and whose code of ethics we all hold to most closely resemble our own is the end goal.
