Private ownership at the Melbourne Rebels is about the money at the moment. Previously the success of the Rebels was linked with grass roots rugby development across Victoria, the schools and the clubs through the VRU. This has become a sore point lately as continued budget cuts at the VRU and lack of new revenue flows have cut almost every program. The new owner tries to link any success he has with support of grass roots rugby, but when push comes to shove, he has not supported the VRU in the same way as the previous administration did.
I am disappointed mostly that the ARU sold the Rebels franchise to a private owner who is not a true believer. By that, I mean some one who sees rugby for being more than dollars and more than a fun game. For me, Rugby is about a community of players and supporters who come together with a network of friends on a regular basis with no preconditions and hang out. It is an important network particularly for young men and now emerging womens teams, all across Victoria, not just the moneyed up yuppiesville of Brighton. This is why rugby is important, not for the winning, not for the money, but for the participation as either a player or supporter , and for the networking that supports people (read young, male, gay - whatever) in a way that no other activity does.
