NSWRU forms discrete professional arm

[Lindommer]

NSW Rugby creates new Waratahs Board
http://www.nswrugby.com.au/MediaExtranet/News/2009/December/NSWRugbycreatesnewWaratahsBoard.aspx

Wednesday, 16 December 2009 NSWRU Media Unit

In an historic move the New South Wales Rugby Union board has restructured and strengthened the administration of both community and professional Rugby in NSW by creating NSW Waratahs Limited.

NSW Waratahs Ltd is a new, separate and distinct controlling body charged with the sole responsibility of administering all aspects of professional rugby in NSW, including Super Rugby. Under the new governance model, which was developed in consultation with the Australian Rugby Union, NSWRU will grant a licence to NSW Waratahs Ltd to professionally manage and use the iconic "Waratahs" brand and be responsible for controlling all aspects of professional rugby both on and off the field.

NSWRU Chairman Edwin Zemancheff said the initiative was undertaken not only to further strengthen the existing governance structure, but also to allow the separate controlling bodies to now concentrate on the two separate areas of the sport - the game of rugby and the business of rugby. "The Board has been increasingly aware of the competing demands between community and professional rugby and it recognised that a new, contemporary governance structure was required to administer the code in the best interests of all of its stakeholders," Mr Zemancheff said. "By separating the competing administrative powers this new governance model will now allow the respective controlling Boards to apply much sharper attention to the critical needs and demands of those aspects of the game for which they are responsible."

NSW Waratahs Ltd will be governed by a separate group of independent directors with expertise in a wide range of critical areas such as business, finance, marketing, media and sponsorship and of course, a direct interest in rugby - who will focus on key decisions which impact on the professional game. The move to separate the administration of the professional and community aspects of the game significantly strengthens rugby's professionalism in NSW and at the same time will deliver enhanced focus and skills to the game's grassroots. Rugby's strong community and grassroots constituents, which include Juniors, Premier, Country and Suburban Rugby, will continue to be strongly represented on the NSWRU Board.

One of the key elements of establishing the new entity will be to ensure revenue created by NSW Waratahs Ltd is guaranteed to flow back to the grassroots levels of the game. "A key advantage of the new model and one which was paramount in driving the change was to ensure that not only would NSW Waratahs Ltd be financially independent but would pay NSWRU sufficient revenue to underwrite, maintain, develop and grow the quality and quantity of our community and grassroots rugby programs," Mr Zemancheff said.

Current NSWRU directors Mr Zemancheff, Sally Loane and Jim L'Estrange have been appointed to the NSW Waratahs Ltd Board along with Russell Tate, Arvid Petersen and the players' representative Al Baxter. Mr Zemancheff and Ms Loane will remain on the NSWRU Board until replacements are appointed, while Mr L'Estrange - as NSW Rugby CEO - will sit on both Boards. The inaugural Chairman of NSW Waratahs Ltd will be appointed at the first Board meeting in January.

 

[Lindommer]

This is fantastic news for rugby in NSW, and Australia. As I understand it both the Brumbies and Force also have a management structure separate from their mother unions. The potential beauty of an old established union such as NSW going down this path is the banishment of minor amateur officials from all aspects of the prefessional game. And bringing in people who are much more sympathetic to professional sport. To be told certain alickadoos on the NSWRU board put their petty club interests, or suburban or country or junior rugby, ahead of the efficient operation of the Waratahs is extremely disappointing to say the least. This is said by one whose wellspring is country rugby and who was heavily involved in junior rugby in Sydney.

 

[TOCC]

it sounds quite good in theory, however you still have the same people influencing the decisions, 'independant directors'? would these independant directors be appointed by NSWRU?

It does appear to be a step towards privatising the team however, by making the professional side of the house its own independant body they will now be able to accurately guage the cost and value of the NSW Waratahs ltd.

 

[Ash]

Great move, but agree with TOCC. You can bet that some of the old boys in the NSWRU will have full control one way or another. But, that can't last forever. This is the first step on a good path. Now we just have to be patient...

 

[Pfitzy]

This is fantastic news for rugby in NSW, and Australia. As I understand it both the Brumbies and Force also have a management structure separate from their mother unions.

That's because their mother unions are tiny and probably worth less than the franchise management... As a result, they kind of own the union, rather than this situation where the NSWRU will probably try to exert undue influence.