5 September 2017
On 15 November 2016, I sent an email to Mr Pulver detailing my online petition with more than 2000 signatures pleading for the survival of the Western Force. I received no response.
On the 6 April 2017, The West Australian published an article I wrote “Please Don’t take away our Western Force”, but, (at the ARU,) you don’t know me.
For the past 6 years, I have been a committee member of the Hawkesbury Agricultural College Rugby Union Football Club. We just won the First Grade Grand Final in Second Division Sydney Suburban Rugby Competition by the way. But, (at Christie Street, St Leonards,) you don’t know me.
In 2000 and 2001 I was the assistant team manager of the Royal Australian Air Force National Rugby Union Team competing in Australian services Rugby Union. But, (around the Board Table,) you don’t know me.
From 1991 – 1999 I was on the committee of the Katherine Lions Rugby Union Football Club in the Northern Territory. But, (in the Corporate Box at ANZ Stadium,) you don’t know me.
I am one of the tens of thousands who volunteer our time to support Rugby Union in this country and it appears you don’t know any of us.
As the elected officials of Rugby Union in this great country how do you represent the people if you don’t spend any time with them? When was the last time you sat in the grand stand to watch a test match? I am not talking about Sitting in a corporate box at ANZ Stadium in a suit and tie and the mandatory Wallabies Gold scarf hung around your neck drinking wine and not even knowing what the score is.
I am talking about buying a ticket, sitting with the Rugby Public – wearing Jeans and an old Jersey. Taking your hat off for the singing of the national anthem. Drinking beer out of a plastic cup and getting in to a shout with the people you are sitting with. When was the last time you watched a Super Rugby match, rather than just the highlights on TV? When was the last time you went to a game of Club Rugby? When was the last time you saw any Junior Rugby? When was the last time you stood in a tunnel to welcome your team on to the field? When did you last stand on a hill, in the rain eating a bbq sausage in bread and a beer having told the person behind the bar to “keep the change” to help out the club.
If the answers to the above questions were never, or not for a long time. Then let me point out to you the obvious. You are out of touch with the Rugby community that you represent.
If you were in touch with the Rugby Community, you would quickly realise that not everyone can afford $200 to purchase a ticket to the Bledisloe Cup match in Sydney. Not everyone can afford $160 for a Wallabies Jersey. If you were in touch with the Rugby Community no one cares about South African Rugby, Japanese Rugby or Argentinian Rugby. Why are they more important than Australian Rugby?
As the Board of Australian Rugby, you have one job. To grow and promote the sport of Rugby Union in Australia. By cutting an Australian Team from Super Rugby how exactly are you growing or promoting the game here in Australia? You have failed.
I believe that there is a job opening for the CEO Role of Australian Rugby. Please consider this my application. I have 20 years of Rugby Administration experience. Can the last 2 CEO’s say that?
Yours in Rugby,
Simon Powell
