Super Rugby’s Melbourne Rebels falls behind on tax bill, stadium fees

[AndyS]

Not to mention how much they've earmarked for another go on the coach-a-go-round, league players, WAG travel budget, and remedial classes in taking minutes/writing contracts in French...

[Alison]

The ATO is currently cracking down hard on all companies who have a tax debt. The days of companies effectively using the ATO as their bank (like they did during the first few years of COVID) are now well and truly over. Unless companies can agree a repayment plan that is acceptable to the ATO, they will face winding up proceedings in the Federal Court. The ATO takes no prisoners, old school ties included.

I wonder whether the ATO would accept a repayment plan from the Rebels that is based on funding guarantees from a technically insolvent RA? I wouldn’t!!

[Burgs]

Didn't exactly blow away "the speculations and set the record straight", but does aim it squarely at Sydney.

Club Statement from CEO

Wed, Dec 20, 2023, 1:22 PM
Rebels Media

Club Statement from CEO, Baden Stephenson

Dear Rebels family,

With yearend upon us, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for all your support, loyalty, and friendship.

On Tuesday, the Men’s Super Rugby squad concluded a very successful block of pre-season training. Head Coach Kevin Foote has successfully set the tone and narrative, and constantly pushed clearly defined outcomes in this preseason block. Head of Athletic Performance Luke Vella has driven a world-class high-performance program that ensures our players are ready for the rigours of Super Rugby. I want to acknowledge all the players and staff from the High Performance, Commercial, and Community departments for all their efforts, unwavering commitment, and authentic connection. We were joined by supporters for a very special day at HQ last Saturday with the Super Rugby squad, Super Rugby Women’s squad, and Elite Pathwayssquads all combining for an open training session that showcased our ‘One Club’ philosophy.

Our members have demonstrated they are right behind the Club with over 80% already renewed and it is fantastic to see some quality growth in new members. Our partnership team has overseen the renewal of key partners LaTrobe University (5 years), Shaw and Partners (2 years), KFC (2 years), SA1NT Layers (2 years), Gilbert (2 years) and CyberCX (1 year). In addition, Ralph D’Silva Motor Group has upgraded, and we have many new partners to announce in the New Year which is very exciting.

In response to recent negative media coverage originating out of Sydney, the Melbourne Rebels wishes to address the speculations and set the record straight. Despite the unfounded speculation circulating in the media, we want to assure our supporters, stakeholders, and the wider community that the Melbourne Rebels’ future is extremely bright. Our club is unwavering in its commitment to excellence both on and off the field in 2024 and will not be distracted by those who are seeking again to harm and disrespect our community.

Led by Chairman Paul Docherty, the Board of Directors and our executive, our club has consistently benefited under a foundation of strong leadership, diverse thinking, invaluable experience, and an unwavering fighting spirit. The support from the Victorian Government, Melbourne and Olympic Parks Trust, our partners, suppliers, dedicated members, and our community reinforces the collective commitment to championing our club. We remain resolute in our stance against any form of intimidation or exploitation. Instead, we stand tall, recognising the honour and responsibility we bear in representing everyone in our community on both the national and international stages.

We have much to be proud of and much to look forward to and here are some examples of the current activity:

• We have led the game in Australia in growth in Schools (public) through the Academy Movement program which is funded by the Melbourne Rebels.
• The growth in the Women’s game on the back of the Melbourne Rebels decision to be the first Super Rugby club to pay our Super Rugby Women’s players. Wasn't that the Force?
• We are driving remarkable change in our Community through the Quilt program, Mobilise outreach program for the homeless, and the largest-scale Community program in the country through TAC.
• The Rebels’ Pasifika engagement & leadership programs are recognised as the most effective and successful in our Nation.
• Melbourne’s Rugby and sports-loving community contribute massively to Rugby Australia’s finances through sellout crowds at Marvel Stadium & MCG, but with no financial benefit to Victorian Rugby. Have to assume he's talking about Test matches there?
• International content with Wallabies, Wallaroos, and Super Round to be played at AAMI Park in 2024.
• The elevation and development of Women in Rebels Executive staff through Oceania and Change our Game scholarships.
• 20 players Melbourne Rebels players represented national teams in 2023.
• The development of world-class facilities which will provide a legacy for the next generation such as the High-Performance gym at AAMI Park and State Centre of Excellence being built at La Trobe University.

I wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Continue to look after yourself and your family and friends. We look forward to welcoming you back to the Stockade for Super Rugby Pacific and Super Rugby Women’s in 2024.

Best Regards,

Baden

Baden Stephenson | Chief Executive Officer

Melbourne Rebels Rugby Union

[jargan83]

That's a lot of words to say nothing.

[wholetruth]

That's a lot of words to say nothing.

Correct mate.
Stephenson hasn't exactly "set the record straight".
He hasn't denied there is a $9m debt and whether they can repay it.
Instead, he blames the media for "unfounded speculation" - why not kill the speculation - perhaps because the speculation is correct.
What does this mean. Our members have demonstrated they are right behind the Club with over 80% (of how many) already renewed and it is fantastic to see some quality growth in new members. Are they getting taller?

[shasta]

[Burgs]

Can't help thinking talk at RA HQ is around- "Oooh goody, a distraction from our shit show! Definitely not bailing them out!!!"

[SNOB]

Can't help thinking talk at RA HQ is around- "Oooh goody, a distraction from our shit show! Definitely not bailing them out!!!"

More likely “Oooh Goody, if they’re in the kaka we can get rid of the Force!”

[GIGS20]

More likely “Oooh Goody, if they’re in the kaka we can get rid of the Force!”

Think about it, axing the force will save 6 million dollars a year, we can say that we're going to give it to grassroots and use it to pay off the rebels debt then ship all their players to Melbourne and pay their wages for them.
Then we'll win everything and as a result ra will be out of debt in a year. 18 months tops.

[Hansie]

Lovely bit of spin from Baden.

Well, you lot - wishing you all an amazing and very Merry Christmas. Stay safe and be good.

[andrewM]

what I truly do not understand is why on earth is Melbourne such a moneypit? Looking back to the ARC in 2007, iirc the Rebels costs were significantly higher than any other team. Then we have the ongoing debacle of the Rebels and Super Rugby from 2011 to 2017 and now this.

sure, the fans haven't been turning up but there just seems to be something fundamentally wrong - dare I say it, corrupt, with how business is being done. It seems a lot of people have made money out of them or just as importantly, palmed off their debts to them and they have once again found themselves in the poo.

I would be relishing the fact that TWAS is once again trying to defend the indefensible except that it simply highlights that Australian Rugby is so far in the poo that I genuinely believe that the professional side of the game won't exist in this country this time next year.

What to then? Hand the keys to Twiggy and ask him to reinvent some form of GRR version 2?

[The InnFORCEr]

I am just glad that they rejected Twiggys PI deal as it would only have been wasted partly on this mess.

[shasta]

I am just glad that they rejected Twiggys PI deal as it would only have been wasted partly on this mess.

Blind Freddie can see how business savvy he is; and it's been fairly obvious that the game is racing headlong towards a train crash. Wouldn't be a big surprise if he's just decided to sit it out and see where the (house of) cards fall. Thankfully he's a Rugby person so there's hope yet.

[wholetruth]

Blind Freddie can see how business savvy he is; and it's been fairly obvious that the game is racing headlong towards a train crash. Wouldn't be a big surprise if he's just decided to sit it out and see where the (house of) cards fall. Thankfully he's a Rugby person so there's hope yet.

I think it's stating the bleedin' obvious that he does not back losers - and that is what McLennan was.

[Burgs]

I would get great pleasure from Twiggy reigniting GRR and placing a team at Penrith