Sponsor, fans boost Force’s survival bid
Western Force have taken a big step to ensuring survival with the injection of sponsorship dollars and their fan ownership campaign, says the Australian Rugby Union.
The ARU’s chief operating officer Rob Clarke, speaking at yesterday’s Super Rugby season launch, said financial health was critical to any franchise.
The ARU board meets next Monday when the future of Australian Super Rugby and the competition structure will top the agenda.
Speculation has surrounded Force’s future since Super governing body SANZAAR commissioned a survey last year on the future of the competition.
The Force hit severe financial difficulties last year but have struck a sponsorship deal with the Road Safety Commission.
The $1.5 million naming rights agreement is the biggest 12-month deal signed by an Australian Super Rugby franchise and has a three-year rollover renewal option.
They are also close to finalising the Own The Force campaign with almost 5000 pledges to buy shares at $1000 each.
SANZAAR does not meet until March but Clarke said he understood the Force wanted answers.
“We understand people want certainty and a direction,” he said.
“Securing the financial sustainability of any team should be the number one focus. The Force have a great sponsorship and it’s fantastic to see people coming out to support a team.
“They will be viewed very positively as part of the overall analysis of what we do.”
Clarke said a decision on the future may not come from the SANZAAR meeting.
“You would only be talking about looking at an alternative if it was demonstrably going to take you to a better place,” he said. “There are many options.
“It’s not as black and white as saying there’s going to be one team dropped over there and two dropped over there and maybe one over here.”
Meanwhile, Force captain Ben McCalman will miss the first two rounds of the Super season against the Waratahs in Sydney and the Queens-land Reds at nib Stadium. McCalman had surgery after dislocating his right thumb a fortnight ago.
Flanker Matt Hodgson will have scans today after injuring a hamstring in the Brisbane Global 10s at the weekend.
Star signing Curtis Rona and scrum-half Ian Prior will resume training this week.
https://thewest.com.au/sport/rugby-u...ng-b88385306z
