Declining participation and ARU plans for the future

[Rugbynutter39]

That is so very true.
Sending a spam email out - in some cases 5 in the space of 10 minutes results in emails not being read and being deleted.
Then not sending another email out for a couple of weeks, and then why not reference an event that has less than 2 weeks notice to prep and prepare.
Then why not have Tah's camps run at the private school Riverview or elsewhere on the Northshore.

Primary Schools.
NSW need to work closely (not send email) with the various PSSA's, build a relationship, get the green light when approaching schools, bring a staged program - whilst Game On is a Program and can receive government funding for the schools - an email to introduce it simply does not cut it.

Senior schools,
Yeah 65% of kids go through the public high school system.
And I can almost guarantee the number of kids attending has increase on previous years due to population growth.
Give these kids opportunity;
having researched this area directly over the last 12 months and having had some success with a couple of others-

View attachment 8627


the feedback received from public high schools was - "sending emails is a waste of time, they need to come and visit."

I think anyone could tell you sending emails as first contact is a waste of time got to get in the front door and have the conversation whether that be cold calling or whatever but a more personal conservation by a phone call seeking a meeting or presentation.

I would be alarmed if email is means used to introduce game on to schools as just looks like spam and already devalues the product.


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[Dave Beat]

I think anyone could tell you sending emails as first contact is a waste of time got to get in the front door and have the conversation whether that be cold calling or whatever but a more personal conservation by a phone call seeking a meeting or presentation.

I would be alarmed if email is means used to introduce game on to schools as just looks like spam and already devalues the product.


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i can alarm you.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

i can alarm you.

Oh crap - really??? No wonder then game on gone nowhere. Sounds like the aru then needs to appoint some better marketing and business development people if that is the case...

Build relationships with pscs, psscs - personalise about how the game on program could directly benefit their school and local community (the what is in it for me) ie how will help their school and kids and why better then other competing programs or complements programs already in place, but first and foremost first contact should be phone call to get a meeting and a conversation.

You are on the right path Dave and speak the language others in ARU should be speaking in designing these programs and if they are not as you suggest then they clearly have the wrong people to make these sort of programs a success.




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[Train Without a Station]

Undoubtedly if you think you'll just get the whole program done sitting at your computer, you'll end up very disappointed.

But let's be realistic.

If ARU reps turn up to schools unannounced, exactly how much traction do you expect them to get?

Now I don't work in the education system, but at least I don't imagine that people who work in the positions to implement these programs, are just sitting around waiting to be solicited about these things.

Surely the initial introduction would need to come about via email or telephone.

 

[Dave Beat]

Undoubtedly if you think you'll just get the whole program done sitting at your computer, you'll end up very disappointed.

But let's be realistic.

If ARU reps turn up to schools unannounced, exactly how much traction do you expect them to get?

Now I don't work in the education system, but at least I don't imagine that people who work in the positions to implement these programs, are just sitting around waiting to be solicited about these things.

Surely the initial introduction would need to come about via email or telephone.

Over the last 12 months i also have had a few surprises.
TWAS our thought processes, and angles have often varied so im going to leave it there. We are also in different geographic, and different market segments.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Undoubtedly if you think you'll just get the whole program done sitting at your computer, you'll end up very disappointed.

But let's be realistic.

If ARU reps turn up to schools unannounced, exactly how much traction do you expect them to get?

Now I don't work in the education system, but at least I don't imagine that people who work in the positions to implement these programs, are just sitting around waiting to be solicited about these things.

Surely the initial introduction would need to come about via email or telephone.

If you read my last message my point was getting a meeting needs to Xpe via a telephone call - not a email. But also about making sure done your research on who are the influencers at schools (Psc members etc) as about engaging with the influencers, gatekeepers and decision makers.



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[I like to watch]

Yes, but the AFL also has an army of DO's in comparison to Rugby.

Then you cover less Schools,you don't try and cover the same number, in a half arsed manner.
Do it properly,or just don't bother wasting resources.

 

[Spieber]

Then you cover less Schools,you don't try and cover the same number, in a half arsed manner.
Do it properly,or just don't bother wasting resources.

Agree. Focus on areas like Mt Druitt - big PI, aboriginal, and Sudanese communities.

 

[Dave Beat]

Agree. Focus on areas like Mt Druitt - big PI, aboriginal, and Sudanese communities.

I agree but also disagree and say that constructively.

For the record i like tackling, and learning it the right way from the first game - not starting it in U8's. That way when tackling the larger boys you have he right technique.

There are mums out there that will stop there kids playing if they come up against these big PI etc kids, is that good for increasing numbers?

Is the answer weight based;
- maybe, but one of points that will grow numbers is playing with your mates. Could this result in a big lad not getting to play with his mates.
- the old saying rugby is for all body shapes and sizes, it is, so why would we be segmenting the shapes and sizes.

Only sharing that constructively, i agree with your point.

Then you cover less Schools,you don't try and cover the same number, in a half arsed manner.
Do it properly,or just don't bother wasting resources.

And / Or have the right set up to cover the schools with the right interaction.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Lots of great discussion points put forward by a lot of posters.

I think we need to start at the top and move downwards. Feel time is against us.

The easiest way to promote our sport through all ages is for the Wallabies to be successful, certainly a lot more than we are at the moment. Everyone wants to be a part of a winning culture,

I think the Wallabies bring in most of the cash. Invest in them. Do not make continual excuses for shit performance whether at player or coaching levels.

Of course we must also focus on grassroots but a winning culture of the Wallabies will make the job a shitload easier.

 

[Dave Beat]

Lots of great discussion points put forward by a lot of posters.

I think we need to start at the top and move downwards. Feel time is against us.

The easiest way to promote our sport through all ages is for the Wallabies to be successful, certainly a lot more than we are at the moment. Everyone wants to be a part of a winning culture,

I think the Wallabies bring in most of the cash. Invest in them. Do not make continual excuses for shit performance whether at player or coaching levels.

Of course we must also focus on grassroots but a winning culture of the Wallabies will make the job a shitload easier.

Looking at the season this year - have you got an idea how to make this happen.

I believe it is a long term processes building from the bottom up.
Even the ancient Egyptions build their pyramids from the bottom up.

I maybe seeing something different but this top down doesn't seem to be working - i think if we looked at the top 6 of the Soup this year, would we even have had a team represented.

 

[Braveheart81]

It's clearly got to be a combination of both.

The only area that will ever be able to generate reasonable surpluses is at the top (the Wallabies) and investment of that money at the grassroots level with the goal to increase participation (and ultimately held improve the standard and increase the fanbase).

There is no model in any sport where lower level competitions deliver strong profits.

 

[Scrubber2050]

Looking at the season this year - have you got an idea how to make this happen.

I believe it is a long term processes building from the bottom up.
Even the ancient Egyptions build their pyramids from the bottom up.

I maybe seeing something different but this top down doesn't seem to be working - i think if we looked at the top 6 of the Soup this year, would we even have had a team represented.

Dave, TBH the best way is the grassroots heading upwards,. How long does that take 10 or 20 years. Rugby is in a bit of strife ATM and we do not have time..

Those pyramids took about 20 or 30 years to build.

We (Rugby) don't have the time.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Dave, TBH the best way is the grassroots heading upwards,. How long does that take 10 or 20 years. Rugby is in a bit of strife ATM and we do not have time..

Those pyramids took about 20 or 30 years to build.

We (Rugby) don't have the time.

Success at the top provides breathing space to fix grassroots and bottom - but if fixing the top means papering over the grassroots issues means short term solutions to fix the top are not sustainable to starve of the continued decline of rugby in this country.

In short as one poster stated we need to essentially do both and both equally important.


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[Dave Beat]

When i was growing up it was Rugby then Cricket then Rugby.

And you you always looked forward to the next season.

I'm almost rugby'd out - started in Feb, and we still have test matches being played in Nov - that is one hell of a long year.

is this good, is it bad, does it have an impact?

 

[papabear]

I think all major winter codes drag their season on too long.

 

[Braveheart81]

I'm almost rugby'd out - started in Feb, and we still have test matches being played in Nov - that is one hell of a long year.

is this good, is it bad, does it have an impact?

It's the nature of professional sport.

This Summer, Australia plays a T20 game against Sri Lanka in Adelaide on 22 February and starts a test match against India in India on 23 February.

The rugby season is probably as long as it can be right now because there is a limit on the number of games people can play a year.

The number of games in a given time period has been increased somewhat in Europe by squeezing in midweek games here and there and having larger squad sizes with what is effectively enforced rotation.

 

[Pfitzy]

Saturation is the way sports administrators chase double-digit growth.

Unfortunately its destructive in the longer term.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

It's the nature of professional sport.

This Summer, Australia plays a T20 game against Sri Lanka in Adelaide on 22 February and starts a test match against India in India on 23 February.

The rugby season is probably as long as it can be right now because there is a limit on the number of games people can play a year.

The number of games in a given time period has been increased somewhat in Europe by squeezing in midweek games here and there and having larger squad sizes with what is effectively enforced rotation.

I've come to the opinion that as the game becomes increasingly more professional and the athletes more highly tuned that we really need to start looking at further restricting the amount of Rugby a player can play in a season. The attrition rate in the game is becoming increasing arduous and detrimental to players.

As for the T20. I hate it as an international format. Too easily used to fill a calendar. Keep it as purely a domestic format.

 

[barbarian]

Another scary example of how the RFU are using the gains from the Rugby World Cup:

http://www.englandrugby.com/news/return-rugby-brings-000-back-into-the-game/

One year on from the Rugby World Cup 2015 final the tournament’s legacy continues to inspire with 190 new men’s teams launched this season, in large part due to the success of the Return to Rugby programme.

God it's frustrating to see them do this, while we just pissed our 2003 money down the fucking drain.
.