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Hi all,
The following is the text of a letter that has gone out to the WA rugby community today. I think it will put a smile on a lot of faces
Rugby WA Update
1. As you are all aware over the last months of 2017 there were a range of matters being addressed in relation to Rugby WA, the processes associated with Voluntary Administration and the reconciliation of a number of debts. These matters have been addressed in two previous letters of correspondence from the Rugby WA Board so it is not the intent of this communication to deal with these aspects further. Suffice to say we are well on the road to recovery.
2. In these letters it was indicated that a community information session would be held to provide an insight into the planning and opportunities for Rugby into the future. It is the Rugby WA Board’s intent that this will still occur, however due to a range of very positive elements that are now only just starting to come together this will now be postponed from 17th January, and undertaken in early February.
3. Rugby is still strong and alive in WA! The key points to highlight for the game in WA are as detailedbelow. Thesewillallbeelaboratedinoninarangeofcommunicatio nsanddiscussions with a variety of stakeholders over the forthcoming weeks.
4. Community Operations:
➢ Competition planning for all levels continues as normal.
o Seniors new multi club competition starts Round 1, post Easter 7th April.
o Juniors post Term 1 Holidays, Round 1, 5th May.
➢ Planning for a new format of a 10 A side pre-season tournament for Busselton on Sat 24th
February continues with clubs being engaged in the structure and format for this event.
➢ Two Sumer Sevens Tournaments:
o Cockburn 7’s at Southern Lions on Sat 3rd Feb.
o Swan River 7’s at Nedlands on Sat 3rd March.
➢ Education and courses. There are multiple opportunities to commence or hone coaching
and match official’s skills and qualifications. These are offered in a range of locations so if
you are interested in refreshing or joining the ranks then please take the chance now.
➢ Full details on all these are all available through the Rugby WA website at
www.rugbywa.asn.com.au
5. High Performance Pathway (HPP):
➢ The HPP for 2018 is already underway with the first of the State Teams well into training.
➢ The Women’s team are hard at their preparation for the new Super Women’s competition
scheduled to kick off on 11 March.
➢ WA will host 2 home games in the 6 match season over March and into early April, against
all the other Super Rugby associated Women’s teams.
➢ The various age academies will be commencing in February with a number of levels of
Future Force Foundation sponsored scholarships to be announced.
West Australian Rugby Union Inc.
6. National Rugby Competition – WA Team:
➢ This week Rugby Australia stated that WA would have a team competing in this competition through to the end of 2020, when the current Super TV rights deal concludes.
➢ Preparations are underway for the development of the WA team and a full plan will be
announced once these are finalised between all key stakeholders.
➢ Please be assured this is one of the really exciting prospects, that will I’m sure, delight all
levels of Rugby community from Juniors through to our die-hard Sea of Blue supporters.
➢ It will also set a plan for a foundation that in conjunction with the development of an Asia Pacific competition in 2019, will see WA strongly positioned to retake our place in the Super
level of competition in whatever form that may take post 2020.
7. Rugby Development operations:
➢ This year will see a revised and enhanced approach to rugby development that with the
support of both Minderoo and Rugby Australia will see the delivery of Rugby development
activities at a broader range of schools across WA and the metro area.
➢ This will be supported by a program that links to and directly assists Junior clubs to
potentially welcome new players to your club.
➢ The mode of operation and structures for this program are being refined and this requires
multiple levels of stakeholders to be engaged with before we can announce more details on this exciting program.
8. So, in summary we simply offer that at this early stage of the year for Rugby in WA there are a number of very positive and exciting developments that will clearly assist in sustaining and growing the rugby community in the state despite the adversities that befell us last year. Please be patient with us as we evolve the planning and important details, before we share these in more specific details. With the holiday season just past, we are sure you can understand that spending a little more time in planning will assist us in all in ensuring 2018 is a bright and positive one for Rugby Union in the state.
On behalf of the Rugby WA Board,
John Edwards Hans Sauer Bob Hunter
Chairman Rugby WA President CEO Rugby WA
203 Underwood Ave, Floreat, WA 6014 | PO Box 146, Floreat WA 6014
Bob Hunter Mob +61 413 045 355 E: bob.hunter@westernforce.com.au www.rugbywa.asn.com.au