Ideas for NRC 2015

[Hugh Jarse]

I think that the Waratahs have got as many of their pro players playing for NRC teams as is possible.

Waratahs have a fair few Wallabies in their roster. These are clearly unavailable for NRC.

There are a few were locked in for off season Team Rehab duties.

McCutcheon has been seconded to the 7's programme.

A full Stars roster has 8 Waratahs, Eagles have 4 Waratahs, and Rams and Rays have 1 each. That is 14 Waratahs in 4 NRC teams.

With a limit of 14 Super players (not including Wallaby marquees) allowed on a NRC teams roster, the Brumbies(Vikings), Rebels (Rising) and Force (Spirit) have a similar number of their Super roster engaged in NRC. In their case it is all in one team.

Edit:
Just back from a quick visit to the Waratahs Twitter page.
Since September 30, there has been only one tweet about NRC that has come from Tahland, and that was to acknowledge that the Stars are the only NSW team left in NRC. In addition there has been 6 retweets that are related to NRC.

Hardly overwhelming support for NRC.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I can't provide any inside info.

But I think some of it stems from the fact that the Tahs are run separately from the NSWRU. The Waratahs run the Super Rugby team, have their own board, and obviously issue their own annual reports.

Under the agreement put in place when the split was made (to facilitate a possible future private sale, IIRC) the Waratahs pay an agreed annual amount to the NSWRU which goes to fund other rugby; somewhere around a million - or million and a half or so, from memory.

The narrow interest of the Waratahs is Super Rugby, and perhaps Gen Blue and so on (which feed Super Rugby), that's about it. To suddenly become all philanthropic and start throwing extra money or resources into the NRC "in the interests of Rugby" would require a change of mindset and a renegotiated agreement. That's why it's hard to see it happening.

And then on the other side of the coin is the NSWRU. On the whole, they'd prefer to concentrate on the Shute Shield (as inadequate as it is), spending their money to fund what was once the premier competition in Australia in preference to the NRC. It's at an impasse.

So, short of an overhaul of the rugby governance in NSW, the NRC's survival in that state will require third parties to pay.

And there lies the problem for getting third parties to pay as they need to be linked to existing fan base to build and grow support - whether bottom up or top down...so top down virtually ruled out with no Tah's involvment - and bottom up good for Rays but as commented got a bit fractured for Rams whilst Stars just have Uni.

So back to full circle that expecting third parties to continue to pay in this scenario (in particular Stars) is problematic. Then we also have Foxtel who would not be overly impressed I suspect with the competitiveness of Sydney Teams and crowds for Stars TV games....and maintaining their support is critical.

Anyway around it - this is a huge impetus that needs to be overcome if NRC is to be successful and contrary to some opinions on here that merely burying ones heads in the sand and accepting Sydney teams will just be the whipping boys and never win the competition is not the answer as competition will just slide into oblivion.

 

[TOCC]

One thing which i thought was fantastic was at the Eagles matches was the pop-up stalls on the sideline, good food and drinks makes it easier to convince the other half to come along. This sort of activity needs to be encouraged further.

I'd also like to see a 'Sydney Derby' round where all 4 NSW teams are playing one another, have it hosted at the same ground with one game after another and make it a big event, live music, pop-up stalls, tie it in with a Wallaby fan day etc..

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Agree - went to Eagles vs Vikings match at Woollahara where saw this and indeed participated. Eagles doing good job there in creating a more festive spirit around the game. For me having a crowd of around 1500 or so plus things like this make it a pretty attractive package. Also went to Rays vs Stars game at Manly and with decent crowds plus some the odd little food stalls makes all the difference in atmosphere.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

What I would like to understand is whether top down or bottom up why fans / members of existing Super rugby franchises are not attending NRC sponsored team games and ditto for NSW bottom up clubs....have we asked them in a survey to understand if a) awareness issue b) product issue c) other issue

That is basis to build initial core support either way with others who attend the cherry on the cake probably at this point (noting Country offer different concept of more festive appeal etc as well as Country Origin)

 

[Rugbynutter39]

One thing which i thought was fantastic was at the Eagles matches was the pop-up stalls on the sideline, good food and drinks makes it easier to convince the other half to come along. This sort of activity needs to be encouraged further.

I'd also like to see a 'Sydney Derby' round where all 4 NSW teams are playing one another, have it hosted at the same ground with one game after another and make it a big event, live music, pop-up stalls, tie it in with a Wallaby fan day etc..

Like your Sydney Derby Idea TOCC given Sydney crowd issues in particular.....but important that play it at bigger supported club that gets the better crowds - say play it at Manly oval......got to make sure crowd wise this successful as otherwise could backfire - but agree with the idea

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Another thought - could we get the NRC teams / coaches etc to offer to do free coaching clinic at schools in relevant region and local clubs during the season and give flyers to kids saying come along to NRC game for free with a parent etc...as got the kids get in free hook -----

The they will come not working so maybe more push than pull approach.....

 

[Hugh Jarse]

^^^ Good Idea in theory but ... ... .... ... Nearly all NRC coaches are committed to Club (or Super Rugby) coaching duties (including promotional duties for sair club) outside the NRC season.

The NRC Admin staff are generally otherwise occupied on unpaid intern duties in day jobs, or with a Super Rugby franchise, or at uni or the like. The NRC mobs essentially hibernate in the off season.

The only real organisation that can achieve what is suggested is the Super Rugby franchises, and we all know about the chasm between NSW NCR teams and the Waratahs/NSW RU.

This idea could work well in the other areas outside NSW.

 

[Rugbynutter39]

^^^ Good Idea in theory but . . .. . Nearly all NRC coaches are committed to Club (or Super Rugby) coaching duties (including promotional duties for sair club) outside the NRC season.

The NRC Admin staff are generally otherwise occupied on unpaid intern duties in day jobs, or with a Super Rugby franchise, or at uni or the like. The NRC mobs essentially hibernate in the off season.

The only real organisation that can achieve what is suggested is the Super Rugby franchises, and we all know about the chasm between NSW NCR teams and the Waratahs/NSW RU.

This idea could work well in the other areas outside NSW.

I was thinking during the season - mid week....appreciate some challenges with that - and yes probably work better with those outside of NSW - but yes probably worth looking at outside of NSW - if they don't already do this.....as Super Rugby clubs already do this but could have same players who are representing NRC sides do clinics during NRC season representing both NRC side and Super Rugby side....

 

[Rugbynutter39]

I was thinking during the season - mid week..appreciate some challenges with that - and yes probably work better with those outside of NSW - but yes probably worth looking at outside of NSW - if they don't already do this...as Super Rugby clubs already do this but could have same players who are representing NRC sides do clinics during NRC season representing both NRC side and Super Rugby side..

Or as school / local rugby clubs season largely finished when NRC finished could have those Super Rugby players nominated for NRC sides do mid week clinics in lead up to NRC season representing both Super Rugby and NRC sides - win win for Super Rugby sides outside of NSW and most importantly would build great awareness of approaching NRC competition due to start which at the moment gets next to nothing in terms of marketing leading up to start of competition

 

[Rugbynutter39]

Or as school / local rugby clubs season largely finished when NRC finished could have those Super Rugby players nominated for NRC sides do mid week clinics in lead up to NRC season representing both Super Rugby and NRC sides - win win for Super Rugby sides outside of NSW and most importantly would build great awareness of approaching NRC competition due to start which at the moment gets next to nothing in terms of marketing leading up to start of competition

Plus what kid they do coaching clinic for wouldn't love after being given clinic by Super Rugby player a flyer saying they can come along and watch them for free