Australian Rugby / RA

[Mick The Munch]

Oh, and for all those people on here that defend RA - https://www.melbournestorm.com.au/news/2024/07/22/storm-launches-female-development-program/

The 30 players were selected from a list of more than 80 athletes aged between 15 and 16 who trialled in three combines across metro-Melbourne over the last month.

 

[stoff]

It probably speaks to how broke they are that they have decided to abandon Victoria completely. Given the reports of a fixed RWC hosting fee I assume the vic government relationship is of no importance to near term revenue.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Others here may be closer, but I read somewhere that RA and VRU were hopeful of a $1m grant from Vic Gov, which in addition to RA's smaller ($0.3m?) grant to all teams would have been enough to keep the Rebels women going.

I guess that didn't eventuate.

 

[Clubhouse coach]

Others here may be closer, but I read somewhere that RA and VRU were hopeful of a $1m grant from Vic Gov, which in addition to RA's smaller ($0.3m?) grant to all teams would have been enough to keep the Rebels women going.

I guess that didn't eventuate.

If that is the option RA has decided is best, perhaps their plan B is to have a team from Victoria play in the Jack Scott cup.
We could also have the Rebels participate in the Shute Shield. With first,second and third grade teams and a first grade colts team using Tarneit as their home ground.

 

[stoff]

Others here may be closer, but I read somewhere that RA and VRU were hopeful of a $1m grant from Vic Gov, which in addition to RA's smaller ($0.3m?) grant to all teams would have been enough to keep the Rebels women going.

I guess that didn't eventuate.

Doesn’t really fit with Waugh’s statement when he canned the Rebels:

“We have a plan that will ensure Rugby has a strong future in Victoria – the infrastructure and the systems remain unchanged despite the change to the professional game in 2025, and we will continue to look for opportunities to increase that investment in the game in Victoria.”

It’s probably more of a slap in the face to a government who have spent millions on a facility for pathways.

 

[Mick The Munch]

Exactly, time and time again RA, through their spokesman has said they support Rugby Victoria. Repeatedly the past 12 months they have behaved differently. You are defined by your actions.

The Brumbies will be next

 

[Strewthcobber]

I don't particularly want to defend RA here, but it can't be a blank check.

VRU have to find sources of revenue (eg sponsorship) to enable their women to participate in these comps, same as all of the other teams. For better or worse the fee is $1m. The other teams have found the money.

RA are bound by the constitution to prevent additional financial support to one particular union, no matter how much they may want to.

 

[Rebel man]

I don't particularly want to defend RA here, but it can't be a blank check.

VRU have to find sources of revenue (eg sponsorship) to enable their women to participate in these comps, same as all of the other teams. For better or worse the fee is $1m. The other teams have found the money.

RA are bound by the constitution to prevent additional financial support to one particular union, no matter how much they may want to.

Lol no super W team is profitable they all rely on RA grants

 

[Strewthcobber]

Lol no super W team is profitable they all rely on RA grants

Of course they aren't profitable. But they are mostly funded by the other Super Rugby unions, not by RA grants.

 

[dru]

Of course they aren't profitable. But they are mostly funded by the other Super Rugby unions, not by RA grants.

Is that actually correct, Strewth? I thought they were funded by the clubs, rather than the unions. Which is a moot point in NSW and ACT these days. It seems logical that for an organisation to support pro women they need a pro club. Or an agreement with RA where the pro club has failed.

 

[Strewthcobber]

Is that actually correct, Strewth? I thought they were funded by the clubs, rather than the unions. Which is a moot point in NSW and ACT these days. It seems logical that for an organisation to support pro women they need a pro club. Or an agreement with RA where the pro club has failed.

Fair enough question, and who knows these days under some of the ownership structures, but my understanding for the Reds.

RA pays salary for PONIs

It costs about $1.3m a year to run the program. RA grants around $0.3m a year.

The rest is made up from QRU consolidated revenue.

 

[Crashy]

Just watched the replay if the Wallaroos / Boks game. Can see a marked improvement with full time training and immersion in rugby. A lot straighter hard running, aggression at the ruck and the wings finished well. Proper investment into the womens game is starting to pay off.
That first Boks try was clearly a knock on.
The Wallaroos were up 33-14 with 8 mins to go and clearly switched off - well done to the boks for getting so close.
We need to retain our retiring sevens players and get them into 15s like what Charlotte Caslick is doing. - as opposed to the mungos picking them off. They would kill it in 15s and our backs would be even better.
That scrum will improve in time.
Any idea on if the results of WXV 1, 2 and 3 has any bearing on the next world cup qualification and ranking?

 

[stoff]

I don't particularly want to defend RA here, but it can't be a blank check.

VRU have to find sources of revenue (eg sponsorship) to enable their women to participate in these comps, same as all of the other teams. For better or worse the fee is $1m. The other teams have found the money.

RA are bound by the constitution to prevent additional financial support to one particular union, no matter how much they may want to.

I’m assuming this is not the case for the centralised Super Rugby franchises to which the women’s teams are attached, and the constitution line is laughable for the same reason.

 

[Mick The Munch]

I'm not a finance guy, so hopefully someone can help me out - If RA has 10s of Millions $$$ coming to them in the next 2-3 years why can't they access finances (bridging loan) to support the game?

There is some bigger thing at play here

 

[Strewthcobber]

I'm not a finance guy, so hopefully someone can help me out - If RA has 10s of Millions $$$ coming to them in the next 2-3 years why can't they access finances (bridging loan) to support the game?

There is some bigger thing at play here

Rugby Australia confirms $80m credit raise

Rugby Australia has confirmed the successful conclusion of its capital raise programme.

www.rugby.com.au

That's what this is, isn't it?

 

[hoggy]

I'm not a finance guy, so hopefully someone can help me out - If RA has 10s of Millions $$$ coming to them in the next 2-3 years why can't they access finances (bridging loan) to support the game?

There is some bigger thing at play here

Because they're pretty much already using bridging finance, the RA are about $70/80 million in debt as is. Those pots of gold forever promised never quite seem to eventuate to the level promised. They do have money come in over the next few years, Lions, WC and some sort of bastardized champions league around 2026 or 28, but best case scenario is the RA come 2028 will be debt free or with some money in the bank.

The issue they have and always have had is an unsustainable business model coupled with negative domestic growth.

 

[Mick The Munch]

Rugby Australia confirms $80m credit raise

Rugby Australia has confirmed the successful conclusion of its capital raise programme.

www.rugby.com.au

That's what this is, isn't it?

I understand they've already spent 60 of that, to cover old debts

 

[Mick The Munch]

Because they're pretty much already using bridging finance, the RA are about $70/80 million in debt as is. Those pots of gold forever promised never quite seem to eventuate to the level promised. They do have money come in over the next few years, Lions, WC and some sort of bastardized champions league around 2026 or 28, but best case scenario is the RA come 2028 will be debt free or with some money in the bank.

The issue they have and always have had is an unsustainable business model coupled with negative domestic growth.

Some money in the bank, but no competition and no fans, what do they say about the richest man in the cemetery?

 

[Strewthcobber]

I understand they've already spent 60 of that, to cover old debts

They had spent $60m of it before paying to keep the Rebels running this year, the legal fees associated with it and covering some of the contracts for 2025, as well as whatever shortfall it's costing to keep the Tahs and Brumbies going.

Basically, it's keeping the game going at the moment

 

[Mick The Munch]

They had spent $60m of it before paying to keep the Rebels running this year, the legal fees associated with it and covering some of the contracts for 2025, as well as whatever shortfall it's costing to keep the Tahs and Brumbies going.

Basically, it's keeping the game going at the moment

They've not paid any of the Rebels debts off yet - still in court. Only paid the the Rebels salaries