• Welcome to the forums of Green & Gold Rugby.
    We have recently made some changes to the amount of discussions boards on the forum.
    Over the coming months we will continue to make more changes to make the forum more user friendly for all to use.
    Thanks, Admin.

Should the ARU cut their losses and abolish the National Academies?

Status
Not open for further replies.

Bowside

Peter Johnson (47)
Reds, Force and Brumbies have all side stepped the ARU and established their own academies.

The Tahs and Rebels have a raft of invitational players training with them in the pre season.

What is the point of bank rolling an academy if the super rugby sides have made it pretty clear they want to have their own separate pathways.

Should the ARU just disband the national academy and divide the money up between the super rugby teams?
 

Sully

Tim Horan (67)
Staff member
They stopped that because it was too expensive. I doubt they will go back to it.
 
T

TOCC

Guest
I'm sure the ARU would be happy with the outcome, they have reduced their operating costs by rationalizing the academy structure and removing the grants to the unions and instead the unions are now footing the bill.

I'm not entirely against the national academy structure, but something needs to be done to fix it up, it's obvious that the situation isn't perfect at the moment.
 

WorkingClassRugger

Michael Lynagh (62)
My question is exactly how much would the ARU be spending on these Academies? With the franchises apparently taking responsibility for their own set ups perhaps they could use those funds to provide those players with greater competitive opportunites.
 

Interested party

Frank Nicholson (4)
How many players from the National academy have been utilised in 2012 by the various franchises when they had vacancies due to injuries? Were academy players placed with contracts at the franchises for 2013??
Many franchises have extended training squads in pre season as they need "cannon fodder"!
Sounds like the franchises don't trust the academies???
 
T

TOCC

Guest
My question is exactly how much would the ARU be spending on these Academies? With the franchises apparently taking responsibility for their own set ups perhaps they could use those funds to provide those players with greater competitive opportunites.

These figures are just roughly what has been reported in the media, but:
Prior to the funding been withdrawn it was around $200'000/team($800'000 in total), the new National Academy is run at a cheaper rate around $600'000.
 

swingpass

Peter Sullivan (51)
the rationalising of the acadamies was ALL about money, like the reduced squads to 30. each of the franchises is clearly doing whatever they can to circumvent the process, and in the case of the brumbies and now the rebels, get all their players into the local comp, i am not aware of what the force do with the non "match day 22" people in their squad. somehow the ARU have to either foot the bill or just allow the franchises to do what they want with squad, the eps and the very extended playing group. i can't see the ARU putting any more money into the system.
 

qwerty51

Stirling Mortlock (74)
I'm a bit torn, the type of players recruited in the ARU academy aren't going to be Super rugby ready because they're young, they are however improving the standard of our u20s which is critical
 

WorkingClassRugger

Michael Lynagh (62)
Seems pretty clear to me. With the franchises setting up different alternatives to the National Academy, using club Rugby as a means to keep these players fit during Super Rugby would be ideal. After, the ARU could use the $600,000 to fund a extra schedule for those in these set ups. With perhaps a 6th to balance numbers. Use the savings to fund travel etc. (don't pay the player's) and keep accommodation expenses to a minimum by utilizing a fly in/ fly out travel schedule for all but WA.

This would provide a new level of competition for the next best, unwanted Super Rugby player or those that may be needed for the Wallabies can be dropped in alongside. If people want to watch just set up a streaming option.
 

RugbyReg

Rocky Elsom (76)
Staff member
here is the Academy squad for 2012. How many have contracts this year in the top 35? Is it just the 6 I've bolded?

Adam Coleman
Blake Enever
Alex Northam
Chris Kuridrani
Allan Ala'alatoa
Curtis Browning
Apolosi Latunipulu
Jack Kimmince
Ben Matwijow
Jarrad Butler
Ben Volavola
Jay Havelu
Boyd Killingworth
Joel Faulkner
Dion Taumata
JP Smith
Elijah Niko
Kirwan Sanday
Guy Millar
Lindsay Crook
Hugh Roach
Maile Ngauamo
Jason Havea
Matt Blain
Jed Hollaway
Matt Lucas
Jock Merriman
Michael Bermingham
Jordy Reid
Michael Stolberg
Keliti Vaingalo
Mitch Felsman
Liam Walker
Mitch Wade
Maile Latukefu
Nigel AhWong
Malie Hingano
Pama Fou
Mark Baldwin
Pettowa Paraka
Michael Wells
Phil Kite
Peter Schuster
Ruan Smith
Sam Lane
Sam Reiser
Sam Latinipulu
Scott Malolua
Sione Kolo
Sean McMahon
Steve Cummins
Simon Morahan
Tim Bennetts
Ted Postal
Tom Boidin
Tim Buchanan
Tom Cusack
Tom English
Tomasi Kolo
Trent Dyer
Trent Lake
Waldo Wessels
William Skelton
Zeb Holmes
 

swingpass

Peter Sullivan (51)
there can still be a national academy for perhaps a chosen few not wanted at the super franchises yet. one of the other advantages of several franchise based extended squads is the diversity of coaching. obviously each player responds to different methods, techniques, personal rapport, etc. the central academy presently is heavily influenced by the nucifora (?deans) factor, which at this years U20's wasn't such a success.
i agree saving $600K a year could be better spent towards a 3rd tier comp

ps tom english, jordy reid and trent dyer are eps at the rebels
 

Bowside

Peter Johnson (47)
My personal opinion is that the ARU should foot the bill for the expansion teams to have an academy. The other 3 teams are big enough to fund their own academies.
 

WorkingClassRugger

Michael Lynagh (62)
My personal opinion is that the ARU should foot the bill for the expansion teams to have an academy. The other 3 teams are big enough to fund their own academies.

Or even use the funds o provide direct investment in junior development in the new expansion areas and other catchments such as SA and Tas.
 

Bardon

Peter Fenwicke (45)
On a rough count so far that's about 14% of the academy confirmed on contracts for next season? How does that compare to the 3 academies run by the Reds, Force and Brumbies?

If the franchises would rather have their own academies and can afford it then maybe the ARU's money would be better spent hiring top class coaches and have them rotate between the franchise run academies. Leave the talent identification up to the franchises since they're the ones who'll be offering contacts and focus on improving the basic passing, tackling, scrummaging etc. skill of those players.

I would imagine that in a country as big as Australia it makes more sense to have a handful of coaches travelling around than for the majority of academy recruits to be uproot and travel away from their family and support network.
 

Caputo

Ted Thorn (20)
In a recent Q&A Jake White was asked about the Academies and explained that they were not set up to help the Brumbies mid season and that is why they have gone their own way.
He said he wants hungry, hard men who may have missed out initially and be able to step up straight away. He also wanted threm to know the game plan.

The other thing I worry about is that to get in the AU20 you will have to be in the Academy. There is a group of players outside the Academy who should/could be picked.
 

Jets

Paul McLean (56)
Staff member
The benefit of the ARU academies isn't really going to come to fruition for a few years. The majority of players picked are potential U20 players and 7's players. I don't have an issue with these guys being the bulk of players selected as by the time they are no longer a viable academy option they should be being picked up by a Super team or going their own way as a club player. The exception would be front row where I think the ARU academy should have a scrum school where they can develop as many props and hookers as possible.
If they franchises want to set up their own academies and can find players willing to train for free then good on them. It's more players training in a pro environment. That has to be good for Aust rugby.
 

lreid

Bob McCowan (2)
Jordy Reid - Rebels EPS. National Academy provides great exposure to comittment and dedication required to step up to next levels.
 

WorkingClassRugger

Michael Lynagh (62)
The benefit of the ARU academies isn't really going to come to fruition for a few years. The majority of players picked are potential U20 players and 7's players. I don't have an issue with these guys being the bulk of players selected as by the time they are no longer a viable academy option they should be being picked up by a Super team or going their own way as a club player. The exception would be front row where I think the ARU academy should have a scrum school where they can develop as many props and hookers as possible.
If they franchises want to set up their own academies and can find players willing to train for free then good on them. It's more players training in a pro environment. That has to be good for Aust rugby.

They should look to set up a national scrum school. Have coaches go from province to province, club to club and install programs and a drills to develop our forward ranks. Additionally, they should look at doing this in the junior ranks as well as installing strength and conditioning initiatives.

As for the franchises setting up their own academies and finding player's willing to do it for nothing. Isn't that how it is in the national academy set ups. Apart from some travel costs, wouldn't it be full of eager young men chasing the opportunity. Or at the very least shouldn't it be? If they're paying these guys, then I definitely want them abolished.
 

Bruce Ross

Ken Catchpole (46)
They should look to set up a national scrum school. Have coaches go from province to province, club to club and install programs and a drills to develop our forward ranks. Additionally, they should look at doing this in the junior ranks as well as installing strength and conditioning initiatives.

As for the franchises setting up their own academies and finding player's willing to do it for nothing. Isn't that how it is in the national academy set ups. Apart from some travel costs, wouldn't it be full of eager young men chasing the opportunity. Or at the very least shouldn't it be? If they're paying these guys, then I definitely want them abolished.
They are.
.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top