Like they say for the players in Europe? Could it be that the IPRC could lose a lot of players in world cup years, but be healthy most of the time?
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Like they say for the players in Europe? Could it be that the IPRC could lose a lot of players in world cup years, but be healthy most of the time?
Which is the situation now with no professional comp. By trying to get everything, they've put themselves in the position of requiring RA's blessing and risk getting nothing. A 'small steps' approach might have been smarter, even if not ideal. In an ideal world, none of this would have been necessary at all.
great news (the full letter i just read on rugbywa website)!
So we got a name & colour back but have lost the IPRC? Yeah great. ARU/RA wins again.
Would rather ditch the name and have reasonable rugby that isn't the NRC.
Why no IPRC what is happening?
Where does it say IPRC isn't happening - last I saw there's a meeting next week still to come?
BLR stop reading into shit that’s not there. Nowhere in that letter is it stated that the IPRC is out the door. Take a deep breath big fella and read it again before you burst a poo poo valve.
Nowhere did it say that the IPRC is gone, don't jump to that conclusion too quickly.
I would suggest that RugbyWA can't comment on IPRC as they have no endorsement to participate yet, therefore the link between IPRC and RugbyWA doesn't legally exist.
I would be in favour of the IPRC launching with the endorsement of Hong Kong Rugby or some other union, cut Rat's Arse right out of the deal. COntract WA players to play in a team that is officially based in Thailand or some country that doesn't have any rugby organisation to speak of, but arrange a deal to play "Exhibition Games" at NIB....I'd pay for some sort of group ticket to watch 8 exhibition games a year for the Western (Thailand) Force! Sure the players would lose their chance of Wallaby representation, but we could gain World Rugby endorsement, have a pathway to Pro Rugby for our kids, watch some Rugby Content in Perth and get Thailand into the Rugby World Cup through all the residency qualified players.
I'd buy a ticket to watch thailand play the Wallabies in Perth if that happened (assuming of course that it's billed as a Thai Rugby Home game and none of my money goes to the enemy)
Couldn't they get 5 or 6 Asian unions to endorse it?
The alternative is that the IPRC goes after all the top players in Australia, with a nice big bucket of money, and have them play in the new comp, a la WSC and Packer. Suddenly, the ARU are left with very few of their top players, one year out from the RWC. I daresay they would suddenly need to start talking to the IPRC about eligibility questions. I appreciate there are contracts of the current players, but some short-term cashflow injections should be able to sort that out (easy for me to say, not footing the bills). But Forrest is already talking multi-millions to get the IPRC up and running anyway. But if the ARU suddenly lose a majority of their senior players, plus a large percentage of standard Super players, it will make meeting their Super commitments with SANZAAR and the broadcasters difficult, the Ireland tour next year, and then onto the WRC. It would put the IPRC in a strong position, and leave the ARU scrambling.
Just a thought!
Just what I need. Another reason to spend more time in Thailand. We been 3 times this year already - ,and again after Christmas. :S
Western Thailand Force is lame though. Chiang Mai Chargers has a nice ring to it. Better climate for the team too. Keep Force for when they are based here. ;)
Dear Western Australian Rugby Community,
Recent times have been very challenging for Rugby in Western Australia. However, I am
really pleased to update you on the progress we have made and positive outlook we can
now provide particularly for our community game.
Today at 10:00am AWST, and as part of the Voluntary Administration process our Creditors
have voted to exit voluntary administration and return RugbyWA to the directors.
To enable this to happen, key Creditors including Rugby Australia and Lavan have agreed to
forgive RWA’s liabilities and the State Government has been hugely supportive in providing
a significant cushion with our longer-term debt.
Our deep appreciation go to Andrew Forrest personally for his work supporting our
negotiations with Rugby Australia through a very difficult period and helping to turn the tide.
A huge vote of thanks goes out to the Rugby WA Board members and Supporters who have
committed significant personal funds into the Restructure Implementation Deed to ensure
that RugbyWA will exit with sufficient funds to move forward with confidence.
We are also very pleased to announce that as part of the Settlement with Rugby Australia
the naming rights and IP of our beloved Western Force will be returned home. Should the
Sea of Blue wish it so our NRC team can take to the field in 2018 as the Western Force in
full and familiar Blue. This is a significant sign after a long battle that Rugby Australia
acknowledges the importance of our code and our solidarity in the west. More support is
promised and we will certainly be seeking it moving forward.
Our thanks also go out to our CEO Bob Hunter and his wonderful team who have hung in
through such a difficult time and now finally have the security they deserve and a new
purpose.
To Mark Sinderberry our former CEO we owe a huge debt of gratitude. Mark stayed true to
the West through very difficult and conflicting times. He passed all tests and is now a true
West Australian.
Many thanks also to Senator Linda Reynolds who continues to seek a pathway to the truth
and a way to restore the publics faith in our sport nationally.
To the Sea of Blue your undying and relentless commitment holds us apart from all those in
the East and we have nothing if we don’t have you.
The Future Force Foundation recently met and the Foundation’s Chairman Bob McKinnon
has advised that the members pledged their ongoing support for the Future Force Academy
ensuring our hugely successful pathways are funded moving forward.
There will be a number of changes to the Board and the Constitution to better reflect future
plans. The first step towards this is the announcement that after many years serving on the
RugbyWA Board and thee years Chairing the Board through what can only be described as
tumultuous times, Tony Howarth will be stepping down and John Edwards the current
Deputy Chairman will take his seat. We take this opportunity to thank Tony for his many
years of service to Rugby WA and for guiding us through such troubled waters.
Of course, this is only part of the story. We are also extremely excited to announce that our
great supporter Andrew Forrest and his team at Minderoo have formally pledged significant
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support funds to develop all aspects of Rugby in the West. Minderoo will inject over
$2,000,000 in cash specifically into the general administration of RugbyWA, The Future
Force Academy, Women’s Rugby and Junior development. Ably led by Force Legend Matt
Hodgson (Hodgo), Minderoo has also committed specialist management and highperformance
resources to help us rebuild, rearm and prepare for our next taste of
professional Rugby.
Our thanks also go to Andrew personally for his work supporting our negotiations with Rugby
Australia through a very difficult period and helping to turn the tide.
The outcome of all this significant progress means;
• Our legal tussles with Rugby Australia have come to an end and finally in our favour.
• We will retain the Lead Tenancy of RugbyHQ
• The Future Force Academy under the stewardship of Steve Anderson (Ando)
remains intact and will be super charged to now include women’s and girl’s
programmes. The Academy will lead the nation in all measures and will be unique in
its level of independent funding.
• Pathways for our youngsters are preserved and enhanced from U6 through Juniors
to the Academy and on to representative honours and the NRC.
• We have a new long-term partnership with Andrew Forrest, Hodgo and the Minderoo
Group who are putting their weight behind our planned resurgence.
• The Western Force will once again take the field in WA which has to put a smile on
many faces.
We still have plenty of work ahead and on January 17th at RugbyHQ we are holding an
Information and Ideas Workshop. The concept is to share with Community how things
currently work at Rugby WA and look for ideas and energy to assist and add value to our
future. If you have fresh ideas and some energy to burn we want to see you there.
Of course, none of this comes close to fully repairing the loss we all still feel over the axing
of our beloved Force but it’s a good start and with your support we will move forward with
purpose and unity.
Yours in Rugby
The Rugby WA Board.
Tony Howarth Hans Sauer John Edwards Charles Fear
Dean Hely David Vaux Trevor Cook Scott Staniforth
Mark Folkard