Brumbies 2015

[Lindommer]

I don't think those of us who support other Super sides can put the boot in/slag off at the Brumbies, they've done very, very well since 1996. In fact I've stated the introduction of the Brumbies was one of the most significant events in world rugby after the advent of professionalism and had an enormously positive influence for Australian rugby at the time. Although I have added a codicil to that comment: the positive birth of the Brumbies was somewhat negated by some senior players staying far too long while entrenching player power during their dotage. The major problem the Brumbies face is their ground, and there're long-term plans to do something about it.

This is a minor blip, they'll get over it and put a very competitive team on the paddock next year. My prediction is second in the Australian conference and in the finals again.

 

[TOCC]

Crisis?

Brumbies are training in a brand new $16 million facility and have $millions in the bank..

Losing the CEO isn't an issue, the lack of signing a new sponsor is.. The two occurring at the same time exacerbates the issue but it's a manageable situation given the Brumbies have re-signed 90% of their other sponsors.

 

[Viking]

Could be. But If you are correct it means that one of the highest profile Super Rugby teams, and arguably highest profile Australian domestic rugby team (internationally) may be giving us all the reality check about how tough times are. Fortunately the Brumbies have what most clubs don't. Cash in the bank.

Do they have cash in the bank though? I heard they only got out of trouble through the sale of their old training venue to a property developer. I can't imagine that money would last long in a mult-million dollar industry, especially one that revolves financially around sponsorship and advertising, in which we can't even land a sponsor.

Looking very concerning in my books. No major sponsor is a huge indication of how poor our game is (financially and popularity) at the moment.

 

[Crashy]

And the game just lurches from one severe crisis to the next.
I’m not up for much more of this to be honest...

 

[Tomikin]

And the game just lurches from one severe crisis to the next.
I’m not up for much more of this to be honest.

So you don't want to watch rugby?. FFS.. All you need to do is watch/read/support the sport you have enough effort to come on a forum in the off season to say you give up..

How bout this don't tell us you don't have the effort spend that ten mintues watching 10 mintues of a game.. Blah.. No offence meant

 

[Crashy]

A strong response which warrants a reply.

I’m 38 and have played rugby for 31 of those. I’ve been involved in administration, recruitment, coaching and am a life member of the Tahs. I watch at least 2 Super Rugby games each weekend as well as most tests. My son is about to play for his local club and I’ll get involved as much as I can with helping the team and club.
I avidly watch the Shute Shield at my local SS club or on TV and you could say that I live and breathe rugby – I always have and probably always will.
I avidly defend the game from its detractors.

Its the fact that for the last few years, the game has left me miserable on so many occasions and I currently carry a despondency that is really getting me down.
The thing that gets me is not 5 months ago I was standing at ANZ stadium after the SupeRugby final after experiencing one of my best rugby games I’ve been to.

The powers that be continually make such poor decisions re running our game, and I’ve never seen it in such poor shape. The drop in player numbers is what get me and I wonder if our game has reached stage 2 of its terminal decline.

If my misery can be alleviated somewhat by taking a step back for a few weeks then so be it.

But my point is that I haven’t been this despondent for so long about something I care so deeply for. I have the effort but it seems all in vain when the ARU seems to be hell bent on destroying the game here. Its playing out in front of us on a daily basis and its decline is staggering.

 

[MarkJ]

It seems Ita Vaea is still training with the Brumbies:

Not sure if they're just letting him train until he goes to France or if that deal has fallen through

 

[Braveheart81]

Its the fact that for the last few years, the game has left me miserable on so many occasions and I currently carry a despondency that is really getting me down.
The thing that gets me is not 5 months ago I was standing at ANZ stadium after the SupeRugby final after experiencing one of my best rugby games I’ve been to.

The powers that be continually make such poor decisions re running our game, and I’ve never seen it in such poor shape. The drop in player numbers is what get me and I wonder if our game has reached stage 2 of its terminal decline.

I think a big part of this is just becoming more aware of the issues beyond what happens in the 80 minutes.

My interest in rugby has become more profound over the last few years as I've got older and with that I've paid far closer attention to the off field aspects of the game as well.

I think it is fairly true in most aspects of life that the deeper you delve, the more problems you'll uncover. Being able to still enjoy things and not become overly pessimistic requires some acknowledgement that nothing is immune from problems and you neeed to accept them.

 

[Jamie]

A strong response which warrants a reply.

I’m 38 and have played rugby for 31 of those. I’ve been involved in administration, recruitment, coaching and am a life member of the Tahs. I watch at least 2 Super Rugby games each weekend as well as most tests. My son is about to play for his local club and I’ll get involved as much as I can with helping the team and club.
I avidly watch the Shute Shield at my local SS club or on TV and you could say that I live and breathe rugby – I always have and probably always will.
I avidly defend the game from its detractors.

Its the fact that for the last few years, the game has left me miserable on so many occasions and I currently carry a despondency that is really getting me down.
The thing that gets me is not 5 months ago I was standing at ANZ stadium after the SupeRugby final after experiencing one of my best rugby games I’ve been to.

The powers that be continually make such poor decisions re running our game, and I’ve never seen it in such poor shape. The drop in player numbers is what get me and I wonder if our game has reached stage 2 of its terminal decline.

If my misery can be alleviated somewhat by taking a step back for a few weeks then so be it.

But my point is that I haven’t been this despondent for so long about something I care so deeply for. I have the effort but it seems all in vain when the ARU seems to be hell bent on destroying the game here. Its playing out in front of us on a daily basis and its decline is staggering.

Some very good points. I was also in rugby heaven 5 months ago, having supported the Tahs for a number of years it was an absolute joy to watch my team finally win the tournament.

I have a number of passive rugby mates that came along and everybody agreed that the last few weeks leading into the final were fantastic. Those rugby mates were super keen to jump on board and whilst nobody was expecting tha Wallabies to win every game there was definitely something in the air... How quickly does it all change.

My biggest beef at the moment is the lack of awareness that the Tahs, Rebels, brumbies and to a lesser extent the Force/Reds are creating. God help me if I want to buy a new Tahs jersey ?! Cannot find any as yet, they should be out in time for Xmas!

The Reds are the only team with a membership tally that gets updated daily, what about the rest? Zero engagement and build up with ten or so weeks to go, very poor.

I will never give up on the game, I will always turn up or watch the game but the administrators must lift their game!

 

[Crashy]

I think a big part of this is just becoming more aware of the issues beyond what happens in the 80 minutes.

My interest in rugby has become more profound over the last few years as I've got older and with that I've paid far closer attention to the off field aspects of the game as well.

I think it is fairly true in most aspects of life that the deeper you delve, the more problems you'll uncover. Being able to still enjoy things and not become overly pessimistic requires some acknowledgement that nothing is immune from problems and you neeed to accept them.

You know what Braveheart - you could well be right. I'm in the same boat as you in that I've become far more interested than I probably should in the off-field aspects. Maybe its always been like this...The power of the internet and social media has made issues more pronounced than before.

 

[waiopehu oldboy]

Do they have cash in the bank though? I heard they only got out of trouble through the sale of their old training venue to a property developer. I can't imagine that money would last long in a mult-million dollar industry, especially one that revolves financially around sponsorship and advertising, in which we can't even land a sponsor.

Looking very concerning in my books. No major sponsor is a huge indication of how poor our game is (financially and popularity) at the moment.

".....only about A$2m (NZ$2.3m) remains of the A$11.4m (NZ$12.9m) from the sale last year of the Brumbies' Griffith property."

Looks like they're at least trying to do something about it, though:

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/super-rugby/64228293/act-brumbies-board-gets-big-shakeup

Just gotta hope the playing, coaching & support staff don't get distracted by what's going on behind the scenes.

 

[kiap]

Maybe they need to do a "Hawthorne" and take a few home games elsewhere to find more sponsorship opportunities and gate takings.

 

[Viking]

Maybe they need to do a "Hawthorne" and take a few home games elsewhere to find more sponsorship opportunities and gate takings.

That is actually not a bad idea. Canberra stadium sure as hell doesn't come close to selling out so it's not a lot of fans will miss out on a game or two.

 

[Brumby Runner]

That is actually not a bad idea. Canberra stadium sure as hell doesn't come close to selling out so it's not a lot of fans will miss out on a game or two.

Not trying to dismiss the idea out of hand, but just where would we find a couple of venues that will outdraw Canberra Stadium? None of the surrounding towns/cities are really died in the wool rugby communitiies (unlike say Launceston or Hobart in relation to AFL), and I wouldn't expect Tahs' supporters to turn out in force if they played a game or two somewhere in Sydney. Any ideas?

 

[Brendan Hume]

Another one who is similar to North is the young back the Reds just signed, Magnay. He is 195cm, but as far as I can see never spent anytime in the forwards. Whether that was because he was too lean (doubtful) or that he just moved so well, or in fact that he had a league background. Either way, it would seem very strange that a 195cm rugby player at Nudgee College would not be played at Lock. I hope it means he's a hell of a footballer.

Magnat is outstanding. Definitely not a forward. He was the stand out in the Qld Country v Sydney Stars game in Townsville - he was 17 at the time


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Braveheart81]

Not trying to dismiss the idea out of hand, but just where would we find a couple of venues that will outdraw Canberra Stadium? None of the surrounding towns/cities are really died in the wool rugby communitiies (unlike say Launceston or Hobart in relation to AFL), and I wouldn't expect Tahs' supporters to turn out in force if they played a game or two somewhere in Sydney. Any ideas?

For those deals to work, you're really looking at a state government paying a substantial amount of money to have a game played in their location. That is why those AFL deals work for North Melbourne or Hawthorne etc. It's not because it produces a much bigger crowd than an ordinary home game.

 

[TOCC]

Brumbies could play their home match against the Waratahs in at ANZ in Sydney, but you alienate fans and lower the value of a season membership.

 

[Viking]

Not trying to dismiss the idea out of hand, but just where would we find a couple of venues that will outdraw Canberra Stadium? None of the surrounding towns/cities are really died in the wool rugby communitiies (unlike say Launceston or Hobart in relation to AFL), and I wouldn't expect Tahs' supporters to turn out in force if they played a game or two somewhere in Sydney. Any ideas?

Maybe a Brumbies game at Newcastle? It is a bit far but they have a decent stadium, surely they have some rugby supporters too.

 

[Brumby Jack]

You have to consider the facilities at stadiums/grounds if they want to take games away from Canberra and I don't think any of the grounds in the surrounding areas would meet the criteria for TV match rated lighting and things like that.

 

[kiap]

Sorry guys, only getting back to this thread after logging out this morning.

That is actually not a bad idea. Canberra stadium sure as hell doesn't come close to selling out so it's not a lot of fans will miss out on a game or two.

Yeah, just floating the idea because I want to see the team survive and prosper.

Not trying to dismiss the idea out of hand, but just where would we find a couple of venues that will outdraw Canberra Stadium? None of the surrounding towns/cities are really died in the wool rugby communitiies (unlike say Launceston or Hobart in relation to AFL), and I wouldn't expect Tahs' supporters to turn out in force if they played a game or two somewhere in Sydney. Any ideas?

None of this idea is thought out in full detail. But, while the ANZ is not the greatest spectator stadium it generally works out as a good deal for the teams that play there. If you are talking Western Sydney, then maybe Parramatta Stadium could be an option; and there may be other alternatives further afield. If done right, I actually reckon they could get 20k+ for the Brumbies against the Tahs and would also get reasonable crowds against sides like the Blues or even Reds.

But it's not really just about gate takings, it's about staking a bit of extra territory and also opening up more sponsorship opportunities. TBH, if something like this was to be a proper funding avenue for the Brumbies it would need to turn into commitment to share with the fans and sponsors in the new area, not just a one year thing.

I had some other thoughts on it but might try to put them in a later post.

Brumbies could play their home match against the Waratahs in at ANZ in Sydney, but you alienate fans and lower the value of a season membership.

Well, yes and no. The season ticket value does take a hit. But this thing all depends on the severity of the crisis. If the Brumbies are actually in danger of folding then I'm pretty sure the true fans would want the team to do what is needed to continue on.

If they get fewer home games (or a few extra 3hr each-way trips per season) but it can keep the show going then I'd say go for it.

But obviously if they can keep it all within Canberra then it's not a worry and they won't need to look to these sort of options.