Ideas for Australian Rugby Union

[TOCC]

I'd be surprised if the NRL went with a Perth team. I think Central Coast, PNG and a second Brisbane team would be the most likely candidates.

PNG isn't even in contention..

 

[drewprint]

Do you think that it is likely the NZRU would accept that? I would say the chances are between slim and none, with none as the hot favourite.

Unfortunately this is correct. The Australian trait of allowing NZ teams to join our domestic comps (see: league, netball, soccer) is unlikely to be reciprocated.

 

[Dam0]

Unfortunately this is correct. The Australian trait of allowing NZ teams to join our domestic comps (see: league, netball, soccer) is unlikely to be reciprocated.

Netball????

I think you'll find it was us who allowed you to join our league.


Besides, there already is a multi nation domestic rugby competition in rugby called the Super XV. The ITM Cup is very much a lower grade tournament these days that loses money by the truckload every year. I don't think it would be at all feasible for an Australian team to enter on that basis.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Here's an idea. Promote the game.

http://schoolstribune.com/lamentable-state-of-affairs-in-aussie-schools-rugby-p648-1.htm

SYDNEY, NSW (15/07/12) - In a fortnight that SRT has had a wealth of media releases, event advertisements, high resolution photos and almost anything we could ask for, at our disposal to cover the Coca-Cola Youth Weeks in South Africa, (courtesy of an officially appointed publicist), the administrators of schools rugby at the highest level in Australia have come across as a laughing stock comparatively. The contrast could not be more stark.

Just this past week David Campese (now resident in South Africa) lamented that 'if only Australia had an equivalent of the Craven Week'. Well, Campo, we do! The fact that you yourself seemingly did not know that the Australian National Schools Rugby Championships had just concluded, shows just how poorly these events were promoted to the general public.

In addition to the Australian Nationals Schools Rugby Championships, two Internationals (Australia Schools A' vs Tonga on Tuesday and then Australia Schools vs Tonga on Saturday) were played, yet, to the best of our knowledge, not a single media release was issued (certainly we have not received one, nor have we seen anything in the mainstream media).

The ASRU website, whilst showing the results, does not have any match reports, photos or anything that could be used by the media (assuming they would even take a look). Surely these events are of sufficient importance to warrant a dedicated effort to provide the media with releases to cover the events? And if these events are not considered important enough, then what is?

The mainstream media interest in rugby does not extend beyond the Wallabies and Super Rugby. Anything below that flies way below the radar, but that does not mean that those charged with marketing the game should give up! That is the very reason Schools Rugby Tribune came into existence. Yet, how does anyone expect the media to start covering schools rugby, unless the effort comes from those charged with promoting the game?

Super Rugby crowd attendance has a highly elastic correlation with the fortunes of teams. The Waratahs, a decade ago, attracted an average of around 34,000, now it barely gets 20,000.

The ARU / ASRU efforts (or lack thereof) in marketing the elite schools rugby events speaks of people that either no longer 'believe' in the cause, or alternatively are embracing the 'rah-rah' private school paradigm whereby rugby represents the elite in society.

One can expect and accept that private schools sports associations will do little to promote rugby, after all, rugby is not their 'raison d'être'. But surely the rugby authorities ought to?

Oh, just in case you wondered, Australia A defeated Tonga Schools by 29-5, and Australia beat Tonga by 70-13.

 

[Hugh Jarse]

Establish a televised game venue for Brisbane (Ballymore) and Sydney (Concord/TG Millner when it is upgraded).

The match of the round in Bris Premier and Shute Shield is played there, with more or less permanent TV infrastructure in place, just plug the cameras and computers in and Bob's your uncle. Limit the farting around that ABC TV need to do to setup/pack up.

Match of the round to be played on 3pm Saturday. Also have games at the same venue on Friday night 7pm, and Sunday 3pm. First grade only on Friday night and Sunday arvo. Other grades play at home and away venues as per normal on Saturday's.

Gate money and concessionaire profits to be shared between the Clubs and the union.
Allow both clubs access to "VIP areas" to enable them to entertain their sponsors, and ability to put up limited sponsors signage.

Arrange with Fox or a FTA digital channel to show delayed coverage of the games into the rest of Aust.

 

[wamberal]

I have mentioned this option a couple of times, Hugh, I was living in SE Queensland back in the days when they had the match of the round on at Ballymore (every Friday night, IIRC).


Definitely, having a good location from the broadcaster's POV would be a great step forward.

 

[Cpt Crow Eater]

Interesting this thread popped up. I have gone through the pages and liked a lot of ideas only to realise some of these posts are years old!

How many or any of these ideas have come about since being discussed?

Great idea for a thread though!

 

[Buster]

I have mentioned this option a couple of times, Hugh, I was living in SE Queensland back in the days when they had the match of the round on at Ballymore (every Friday night, IIRC).


Definitely, having a good location from the broadcaster's POV would be a great step forward.

According to the Balmain boys, Leichardt oval is booked at 7pm for a number of weeks in a row. Has lights, has goalposts, has TV settings?? Could be a winner. Friday night, Saturday Arvo Sunday Arvo SS games live on the ABC, now that is a great weekend of rugby!

 

[Hugh Jarse]

From @SuckerforRed via Twitter:

"We need to design stubby holders to fit plastic beer cups."

Primarily a Queensland problem to be addressed but a serious Australian Rugby problem seeking a solution none the less.

 

[Tangawizi]

From @SuckerforRed via Twitter:

"We need to design stubby holders to fit plastic beer cups."

Primarily a Queensland problem to be addressed but a serious Australian Rugby problem seeking a solution none the less.

These ones with the angled sides do a great job.

Perhaps its time for GAGR version of them.



Sent from my GT-I9505 using Tapatalk 2

 

[boyo]

The "Toohey's New" writing is a problem (in more ways than one).

 

[p.Tah]

The honey badger cracks me up. Non-rugby supporters need to see more of the human/humourous side of the Wallabies.

 

[wamberal]

The honey badger cracks me up. Non-rugby supporters need to see more of the human/humourous side of the Wallabies.

There's nothing remotely amusing about losing.

 

[p.Tah]

Recently I've attended several lectures where the speakers have open with words to the effect of 'I'm a long suffering Essendon supporter, or I'm a mad keen Cats supporter' . In the public eye, politicians and celebrities are keen to reveal which AFL they support. For example, Gillard is a Western Bulldogs supporter, David Koche is a Port Adelaide supporter and they often mention that they are.

When was the last time we heard a well known person who isn't a former player mention they support the Reds, Tahs, Wallabies etc.

Currently, the Prime minister, Federal Treasurer, the new Governor General are rugby supporters. I don't recall Abbott saying 'go Tahs' but I've heard him lend the Manly Sea Eagles support, perhaps it's an electorate thing.

My idea is for the ARU to encourage well known figures to publicly support their rugby teams, not in a staged unnatural way, but genuine support. It's free advertising and may stop rugby from being the 'invisible code'

 

[Rob42]

Recently I've attended several lectures where the speakers have open with words to the effect of 'I'm a long suffering Essendon supporter, or I'm a mad keen Cats supporter' . In the public eye, politicians and celebrities are keen to reveal which AFL they support. For example, Gillard is a Western Bulldogs supporter, David Koche is a Port Adelaide supporter and they often mention that they are.

When was the last time we heard a well known person who isn't a former player mention they support the Reds, Tahs, Wallabies etc.

Currently, the Prime minister, Federal Treasurer, the new Governor General are rugby supporters. I don't recall Abbott saying 'go Tahs' but I've heard him lend the Manly Sea Eagles support, perhaps it's an electorate thing.

My idea is for the ARU to encourage well known figures to publicly support their rugby teams, not in a staged unnatural way, but genuine support. It's free advertising and may stop rugby from being the 'invisible code'

Keep in mind those examples you've quoted are AFL fans. They're not normal people you know...

 

[TOCC]

When was the last time we heard a well known person who isn't a former player mention they support the Reds, Tahs, Wallabies etc.

John Howard?

 

[p.Tah]

Probably was Howard. Coincided with when rugby was quite popular. Can we sent Abbott a tracksuit or Wallaby speedos?

 

[wamberal]

Peter Cosgrove was a director of the ARU for a few years.

 

[p.Tah]

I note that in some European countries such as France and Ireland, rugby players enjoy low taxation. Question for the taxation lawyers on G&GR.

Could SANZAR set up its offices in a country that has a lower taxation rate than Australia. Then rather than the ARU/Super rugby squads paying our players could they be paid by SANZAR and pay a lower rate? Southern Hemisphere salaries may be a bit more competitive compared to the Northern ones. Is there a way this could be done, legally?

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^^^ Great lateral thinking but didn't ideas like that put Glen Wheatley in the Big House for a little while?