APC - Do you want to play in 2007?

[The InnFORCEr]

Rugby's New National Competition calls for players
October 05, 2006 - 9:52am
Story by: ARU

The ARU, along with the State Rugby Unions, are looking for 127 Club players to join 97 professional, contracted players in the eight-team competition to be played after the completion of the Premier Rugby Club competitions in NSW and Queensland.

There will be three teams from NSW, two from Queensland and teams from the ACT, WA and Victoria. Club players interested need to register their interest by completing and submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) form by the end of October 2006. The EOI can be found on the ARU website - www.rugby.com.au.

ARU CEO and Managing Director, Gary Flowers, said this competition provides an opportunity for non-contracted Club players who possess both the desire and the skill to pursue a fulltime playing contract.

"While the players registering their interest are asked to nominate which team or teams they are interested in playing for next year, there are no guarantees. Team selection will be competitive," said Mr Flowers.

"Players will receive a sign-on fee of $8,000 and match fees of $500 per game. Those that move interstate for the competition will be eligible for an accommodation allowance of $300 per week

"When a player is contracted to play, they will be expected to train and play to the standards expected of such a competition. There will be a number of Super 14 contracts available for Club players that are standouts."

[frontrow]

Sounds great, good financial incentives too, pity i`m past it or i`d give it a go...

[luke_the_pom]

the sport isnt sounding too professional there

Register interest?

Never heard of another sport do that before.

Great oppurtunity though!

[frontrow]

the way i see it, this will inspire a lot of otherwise good suburban rugby players to go out and train thier arses off to improve thier abilities so that when the time comes they will have the goods to offer the APC, and to be able to take a shot at the big time...Don`t forget one of Australias greatest hookers was plucked from reserve grade and thrust into the international spotlight, and then went on to play in a world cup, and win, plus every other trophy on offer...His name was Phill Kearns and he was playing Southern Districts rugby in Sydney one weekend, playing for Australia the next...
Unfortunately, Australia hasn`t taken any risks like this in a long time, and with this approach, a lot of otherwise "unknowns" will stand up and be counted, thus providing a greater talent pool for the ARU and Super14 teams to recruit from, which can`t be a bad thing...

[Darren]

the sport isnt sounding too professional there

Register interest?

Never heard of another sport do that before.

Great oppurtunity though!

Its higher than club rugby, lower than Super14 - exactly as it was hoped to be, lets hope it gets televised next year!!

[blindsid3]

Register interest?

Never heard of another sport do that before.

$500 a week isn't exactly huge dollars for stepping up to professionalism and quitting your day job...comes in at about $25,000 a year annualised.

So expressions of interest are needed - the ARU is asking people to choose whether they are interested in risking their current livliehood and the lifestyle that it buys versus potential glory and a S14 contract (and maybe more)...

Expressions of interest mean that the ARU is selecting people who want to be selected...and those that are interested are saying "look at me..." and giving themselves a good chance of not being forgotten. Good idea really.

It also means that they are not wasting time wondering whether they will offer a position to a young Doctor or Lawyer currently dragging in 6 figures plus if he isn't prepared to take a pay cut!

[Burgs]

$500 a week

.........................................

pay cut!

Couldn't have expressed my thoughts better mate

[RugbyFan]

MIGHT start training... haha. But yeah, it'd be a pay cut.. hahaha

[JediKnight]

If only I was 10 years younger!!!

[Pumbaa]

[the ARU is asking people to choose whether they are interested in risking their current livliehood and the lifestyle that it buys versus potential glory and a S14 contract (and maybe more)...


they are offering it as an incentive to join the 8 team comp, i guess like the pura cup in cricket, wafl in gayfl there is really no difference all it will do is create competion and hopefully raise the bar.

it might not happen next season or the following but hey look out all blacks Australia will be back and then we will teach them a little about domination

[RugbyFan]

If only I was 10 years younger!!!

If only i was 10kg lighter!! hahaha

[felixnelson]

also it brings union to melbourne which is good

[The Lone Hydrangea]

Im leaving this right alone Burgs, out of respect!
and we all know those melbournians love their sport.....