Should the ARU cut their losses and abolish the National Academies?

[Bowside]

Reds, Force and Brumbies have all side stepped the ARU and established their own academies.

The Tahs and Rebels have a raft of invitational players training with them in the pre season.

What is the point of bank rolling an academy if the super rugby sides have made it pretty clear they want to have their own separate pathways.

Should the ARU just disband the national academy and divide the money up between the super rugby teams?

 

[Sully]

They stopped that because it was too expensive. I doubt they will go back to it.

 

[TOCC]

I'm sure the ARU would be happy with the outcome, they have reduced their operating costs by rationalizing the academy structure and removing the grants to the unions and instead the unions are now footing the bill.

I'm not entirely against the national academy structure, but something needs to be done to fix it up, it's obvious that the situation isn't perfect at the moment.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

My question is exactly how much would the ARU be spending on these Academies? With the franchises apparently taking responsibility for their own set ups perhaps they could use those funds to provide those players with greater competitive opportunites.

 

[Interested party]

How many players from the National academy have been utilised in 2012 by the various franchises when they had vacancies due to injuries? Were academy players placed with contracts at the franchises for 2013??
Many franchises have extended training squads in pre season as they need "cannon fodder"!
Sounds like the franchises don't trust the academies???

 

[TOCC]

My question is exactly how much would the ARU be spending on these Academies? With the franchises apparently taking responsibility for their own set ups perhaps they could use those funds to provide those players with greater competitive opportunites.

These figures are just roughly what has been reported in the media, but:
Prior to the funding been withdrawn it was around $200'000/team($800'000 in total), the new National Academy is run at a cheaper rate around $600'000.

 

[swingpass]

the rationalising of the acadamies was ALL about money, like the reduced squads to 30. each of the franchises is clearly doing whatever they can to circumvent the process, and in the case of the brumbies and now the rebels, get all their players into the local comp, i am not aware of what the force do with the non "match day 22" people in their squad. somehow the ARU have to either foot the bill or just allow the franchises to do what they want with squad, the eps and the very extended playing group. i can't see the ARU putting any more money into the system.

 

[qwerty51]

I'm a bit torn, the type of players recruited in the ARU academy aren't going to be Super rugby ready because they're young, they are however improving the standard of our u20s which is critical

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

Seems pretty clear to me. With the franchises setting up different alternatives to the National Academy, using club Rugby as a means to keep these players fit during Super Rugby would be ideal. After, the ARU could use the $600,000 to fund a extra schedule for those in these set ups. With perhaps a 6th to balance numbers. Use the savings to fund travel etc. (don't pay the player's) and keep accommodation expenses to a minimum by utilizing a fly in/ fly out travel schedule for all but WA.

This would provide a new level of competition for the next best, unwanted Super Rugby player or those that may be needed for the Wallabies can be dropped in alongside. If people want to watch just set up a streaming option.

 

[RugbyReg]

here is the Academy squad for 2012. How many have contracts this year in the top 35? Is it just the 6 I've bolded?

Adam Coleman

Blake Enever​

Alex Northam

Chris Kuridrani​

Allan Ala'alatoa

Curtis Browning​

Apolosi Latunipulu

Jack Kimmince​

Ben Matwijow

Jarrad Butler​

Ben Volavola

Jay Havelu​

Boyd Killingworth

Joel Faulkner​

Dion Taumata

JP Smith​

Elijah Niko

Kirwan Sanday​

Guy Millar

Lindsay Crook​

Hugh Roach

Maile Ngauamo​

Jason Havea

Matt Blain​

Jed Hollaway

Matt Lucas​

Jock Merriman

Michael Bermingham​

Jordy Reid

Michael Stolberg​

Keliti Vaingalo

Mitch Felsman​

Liam Walker

Mitch Wade​

Maile Latukefu

Nigel AhWong​

Malie Hingano

Pama Fou​

Mark Baldwin

Pettowa Paraka​

Michael Wells

Phil Kite​

Peter Schuster

Ruan Smith​

Sam Lane

Sam Reiser​

Sam Latinipulu

Scott Malolua​

Sione Kolo

Sean McMahon​

Steve Cummins

Simon Morahan​

Tim Bennetts

Ted Postal​

Tom Boidin

Tim Buchanan​

Tom Cusack

​

Tom English

​

Tomasi Kolo

​

Trent Dyer

​

Trent Lake

​

Waldo Wessels

​

William Skelton

​

Zeb Holmes​

 

[swingpass]

there can still be a national academy for perhaps a chosen few not wanted at the super franchises yet. one of the other advantages of several franchise based extended squads is the diversity of coaching. obviously each player responds to different methods, techniques, personal rapport, etc. the central academy presently is heavily influenced by the nucifora (?deans) factor, which at this years U20's wasn't such a success.
i agree saving $600K a year could be better spent towards a 3rd tier comp

ps tom english, jordy reid and trent dyer are eps at the rebels

 

[qwerty51]

Ben Volavola, Jordy Reid, Tom English and Trent Dyer have EPS contracts

 

[Bowside]

My personal opinion is that the ARU should foot the bill for the expansion teams to have an academy. The other 3 teams are big enough to fund their own academies.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

My personal opinion is that the ARU should foot the bill for the expansion teams to have an academy. The other 3 teams are big enough to fund their own academies.

Or even use the funds o provide direct investment in junior development in the new expansion areas and other catchments such as SA and Tas.

 

[Bardon]

On a rough count so far that's about 14% of the academy confirmed on contracts for next season? How does that compare to the 3 academies run by the Reds, Force and Brumbies?

If the franchises would rather have their own academies and can afford it then maybe the ARU's money would be better spent hiring top class coaches and have them rotate between the franchise run academies. Leave the talent identification up to the franchises since they're the ones who'll be offering contacts and focus on improving the basic passing, tackling, scrummaging etc. skill of those players.

I would imagine that in a country as big as Australia it makes more sense to have a handful of coaches travelling around than for the majority of academy recruits to be uproot and travel away from their family and support network.

 

[Caputo]

In a recent Q&A Jake White was asked about the Academies and explained that they were not set up to help the Brumbies mid season and that is why they have gone their own way.
He said he wants hungry, hard men who may have missed out initially and be able to step up straight away. He also wanted threm to know the game plan.

The other thing I worry about is that to get in the AU20 you will have to be in the Academy. There is a group of players outside the Academy who should/could be picked.

 

[Jets]

The benefit of the ARU academies isn't really going to come to fruition for a few years. The majority of players picked are potential U20 players and 7's players. I don't have an issue with these guys being the bulk of players selected as by the time they are no longer a viable academy option they should be being picked up by a Super team or going their own way as a club player. The exception would be front row where I think the ARU academy should have a scrum school where they can develop as many props and hookers as possible.
If they franchises want to set up their own academies and can find players willing to train for free then good on them. It's more players training in a pro environment. That has to be good for Aust rugby.

 

[lreid]

Jordy Reid - Rebels EPS. National Academy provides great exposure to comittment and dedication required to step up to next levels.

 

[WorkingClassRugger]

The benefit of the ARU academies isn't really going to come to fruition for a few years. The majority of players picked are potential U20 players and 7's players. I don't have an issue with these guys being the bulk of players selected as by the time they are no longer a viable academy option they should be being picked up by a Super team or going their own way as a club player. The exception would be front row where I think the ARU academy should have a scrum school where they can develop as many props and hookers as possible.
If they franchises want to set up their own academies and can find players willing to train for free then good on them. It's more players training in a pro environment. That has to be good for Aust rugby.

They should look to set up a national scrum school. Have coaches go from province to province, club to club and install programs and a drills to develop our forward ranks. Additionally, they should look at doing this in the junior ranks as well as installing strength and conditioning initiatives.

As for the franchises setting up their own academies and finding player's willing to do it for nothing. Isn't that how it is in the national academy set ups. Apart from some travel costs, wouldn't it be full of eager young men chasing the opportunity. Or at the very least shouldn't it be? If they're paying these guys, then I definitely want them abolished.

 

[Bruce Ross]

They should look to set up a national scrum school. Have coaches go from province to province, club to club and install programs and a drills to develop our forward ranks. Additionally, they should look at doing this in the junior ranks as well as installing strength and conditioning initiatives.

As for the franchises setting up their own academies and finding player's willing to do it for nothing. Isn't that how it is in the national academy set ups. Apart from some travel costs, wouldn't it be full of eager young men chasing the opportunity. Or at the very least shouldn't it be? If they're paying these guys, then I definitely want them abolished.

They are.
.