The future of WA rugby

[jargan83]

RugbyWA would be stupid to change the name. I know many people who don’t have any sort of a background Rugby who have been outraged at what has happened to the Force purely as West Australians. It would be stupid to waste that kind of brand recognition locally.

[beige]

In fact go back to the original jersey design

They kind of did that this year anyway. I think keeping the "sea of blue" is also important for getting the fans back for the IPRC.

[lou]

Also , it's great to keep the name to show the link from the previous time to the new time - that sounds so clumsy - but bringing in a new name would imply the old brand closed and thus may not be connected - do you follow?

[beige]

Also , it's great to keep the name to show the link from the previous time to the new time - that sounds so clumsy - but bringing in a new name would imply the old brand closed and thus may not be connected - do you follow?

[Leo86]

Also , it's great to keep the name to show the link from the previous time to the new time - that sounds so clumsy - but bringing in a new name would imply the old brand closed and thus may not be connected - do you follow?

keep the history alive. The club was established 2006 played so many games, so many captains, capped so many wallabies, etc

[wholetruth]

And every time Western Force, appears in print, is spoken about, is broadcast it says to Rats Arse 'Up Yours. We're here, we're getting stronger and you can shove the Rebels and everything connected to the corruption now being exposed where it hurts.'

[wholetruth]

Also, I saw in today West some details about possible teams and players for our 'new' Force Can't see it on line. Anyone got a link?

[Kalahard]

Potential opponents would be any of the ITM cup teams, any of the Currie Cup teams, any of the Japanese teams, Fiji N'Drua, Samoa, Tonga, Asia Pacific Dragons, any of the Asian Nations, European teams. Theres no shortage of opponents.
Player wise we could base the foundation of the team around who is still in Perth from the Spirit/Future Force/Pindan Premier Grade, Western Force U/20s, keep picking up the youngsters from around Australia, NZ and South Africa like the Future Force was doing and anyone who is keen to be part of our team long term to contribute to building our pathways. The one and done paycheck chasers would be low priority for the Force but could help the other teams in the IPRC.

[Roddy]

The Force Awakens !!!

[Roddy]

I think it would be crazy to change our name from Western Force to something else. It is a recognisable brand, an established brand and is nationally and internationally known. Perth Spirit is part of the pathway to the Western Force and should be recognized separately. As the saying goes, any publicity is good publicity and even though a lot of negatitvity has surrounded the publicity of our name this year, the brand has been at the forefront and is more widely known now than it was before. The brand will only strengthen as we work through oir return to professional rugby as it is now part of the underdog, rags to riches story behind our rebirth. The name Western Force has also started to penetrate the more mainstrem sports shows and media with the culling controversy being one of the major sports news stories of this year. Once the IPRC is up and running then we can use the name for documentary purposes, eg "Western Force rises from the Ashes" or "Undeniable Force : The Rebirth of the Western Force". Theres some good commercial opportunities to arise from this that we should look to capitalize on.

The Force Awakens!!!

[jargan83]

The Force Awakens !!!

Spoiler alert

Hodgo is The Last Jedi.

You can all save your money next week...

[SinBin]

Agreed, we've got an established strong brand

No question, it should remain. Maybe we could run a pole, but I'm sure the shortest odds will be on the retention of the WF name.

[Kalahard]

Western Force try to rebuild for a brighter future
Nick Taylor
Saturday, 9 December 2017 1:22PM

The new Western Force will play a series of international matches next year as they build towards a new future.
The Force name has been sold back by Rugby Australia for $1 as part of the deal that took RugbyWA out of voluntary administration, as revealed in The West Australian yesterday.
Discussions are now under way for games against a Pacific Island side at Auckland’s Eden Park, invitational outfit the Indo Pacific Dragons and other overseas sides from April. Home games will likely be played at nib Stadium.
The side will be led by former Force Super Rugby players still in Perth and could include internationals Pek Cowan and Peter Grant, hooker Heath Tessmann, winger Marcel Brache and scrum-half Ryan Louwrens.
With RugbyWA out of voluntary administration, mining magnate Andrew Forrest has poured $2 million into the State body as he pushes ahead with plans for his own Indo Pacific Rugby Championship.
Former Force captain and IPRC director of high performance, Matt Hodgson said the money was for grassroots rugby, to “supercharge” the Future Force academy that will include female players for the first time, and to help finance the new Force side. Forrest’s Minderoo group will also move into RugbyHQ to ensure its future.
“We have a core group of talented players here already,” Hodgson said. “Future Force, we’ll be tapping straight into that, and a couple of professionals, to lead this team into the future.

New RugbyWA chairman John Edwards spoke to RA chief executive Bill Pulver after voluntary administration ended.
“He’s very happy and I would say very relieved,” Edwards said. “We have got to make sure we get another crack. We’ve lost a major battle but we don’t intend to lose the war in the long term.”
RugbyWA entered into voluntary administration last month but RA waived more than $1 million in costs from the State body’s failed battle to save the Force through arbitration and a NSW Supreme Court appeal.
Lavan, RugbyWA’s legal representatives, put aside almost $800,000 and a $1.14 million State Government loan, part of the 2009 nib Stadium upgrade, has been put on hold for two years.
RA bought the Force name and rights for $800,000 last year and then bought the licence in an alliance agreement that effectively allowed them to axe the Force from Super Rugby.

https://thewest.com.au/sport/western...-ng-b88685575z

[Kalahard]

Just a thought but can we still use the Road Safety sponsorships remaining 3 years aswell please Mr State Government man? It would be a tremendous help.

[Bakkies]

Fundraising over the next two years is a suggestion to help pay back the NIB Stadium loan. Even though there is a holiday period it is a loan you would want to get rid of.