WorkingClassRugger
Michael Lynagh (62)
It's all about marketing and exposure. The NRL and AFL have it and exploit it. We don't. I agree with pretty much everything that has been suggested development. I think getting the Wallaroos out there to really promote girls Rugby would be a masterstroke to be honest. Everyone (at least in male dominated sports) underestimates the enthusiasm women have for contact sports. If the ARU spent money to market Rugby to girls by 1) increasing funding to the Wallaroos program and 2) Setting up women's/girls Rugby competitions with regular Wallaroo visits will greatly assist the game in this country. For those who don't think it will work, well this year in Wollongong they established a Women's RL Comp. It started with only a couple of teams but by seasons end there were 7 teams participating. Already for next season 3 others have started and will compete. In 12 months its gone from no League for Women to a 10 team Competition. Rugby should be looking to do similar. Once women realise that the game isn't as dangerous as many would have thought.
Apart from that I think a few things must occur. Tahs games out west and regional NSW .i.e. Wollongong, CC, Newcastle etc. Use the SFS for big games but spread the love. Market the game. Plain and simple. Make it effective and demonstrate how much fun Rugby really is. Start a summer 7s series with all the Super Franchises from Australiaand if they are up for it NZ. Sell it to OneHD. Its not Super Rugby on FTA but its a start. Identify and target priority regions. The Melbourne Rebels will have a similar effect in growth of the game to that of the Force. So the ARU needs to focus on youth growth regions. Most obvious are Western Sydney, Central Coast and SEQ. Focus around 80% of its development efforts in those regions (in a big way). Start in the Primary Schools through 7s, graduate to 10's in the junior years of high school and 15s in seniors. With an increase thanks to the next TV deal this should be possible without affecting other regions to badly.
Apart from that I think a few things must occur. Tahs games out west and regional NSW .i.e. Wollongong, CC, Newcastle etc. Use the SFS for big games but spread the love. Market the game. Plain and simple. Make it effective and demonstrate how much fun Rugby really is. Start a summer 7s series with all the Super Franchises from Australiaand if they are up for it NZ. Sell it to OneHD. Its not Super Rugby on FTA but its a start. Identify and target priority regions. The Melbourne Rebels will have a similar effect in growth of the game to that of the Force. So the ARU needs to focus on youth growth regions. Most obvious are Western Sydney, Central Coast and SEQ. Focus around 80% of its development efforts in those regions (in a big way). Start in the Primary Schools through 7s, graduate to 10's in the junior years of high school and 15s in seniors. With an increase thanks to the next TV deal this should be possible without affecting other regions to badly.