2016-2020 Australian Rugby Strategic Plan - Inspire all Australians to enjoy our great global game - Rugby AU
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2016-2020 Australian Rugby Strategic Plan Inspire all Australians to enjoy our great global game
A Game For All
Australian Wallabies Australians Sevens ACT & Southern New South Wales Northern Territory
Rugby Union Rugby New South Wales Rugby Union Rugby Union
Rugby Union
Queensland Rugby WA South Australian Tasmanian Victorian
Rugby Union Rugby Union Rugby Union Rugby Union
Brumbies NSW Waratahs Melbourne Rebels Queensland Reds Western Force
Contents 01 Foreword: 2016-2020 Australian Rugby Strategic Plan 05 Introduction 07 Challenges Facing The Game 09 What Our Fans And Corporate Partners Want 11 Our Strategy 15 Make Rugby A Game For All 19 Ignite Australia’s Passion For The Game 25 Build Sustainable Elite Success 35 Create Excellence In How The Game Is Run acknowledgements Photo credits: ARU Media/Stuart Walmsley, Rick McLallen and Getty Images Accenture: Digital Technology Consulting Partner of ARU
Foreword: 2016-2020
Australian Rugby Strategic Plan
We are fortunate to be part of a great global game • Competing with the success of the game on the
integral to the sporting and cultural life of millions world stage, making it hard to retain athletes and
of Australians. Rugby provides opportunities for all coaches in a global economy and market
Australians to have a run with their friends, entertains • Challenged to be financially sustainable, with our
through our professional competitions and projects financial viability having never been under greater
our national identity on the global stage. Our threat than in the last two years - which required all
performance at the 2015 World Cup in England parts of the Rugby community to share the burden
showed the potential of the game to inspire, thrill and of reduced funding and cuts to operational
unite the country. expenditure. In this regard, I thank the Rugby
community for its patience and efforts over the
However, as most of our community knows, we face past two years in working with the ARU to address
profound challenges to ensure the continuing these challenges that had the potential to damage
relevance and success of the game we love. We are: our game.
• Changing as a country, becoming a busier and more Importantly, Australian Rugby is on the verge of a new
Bill Pulver diverse nation with less time for organised sports dawn with an improved media rights deal in 2016 set
CEO - Australian Rugby Union • Operating in, arguably, the most competitive sports to kick-start the Rugby economy and place our game
market in the world, for participants, professional on a sustainable financial footing. We have worked
athletes, attendance, viewers and media attention across the Rugby community to come up with a plan
• Engaging more through digital channels, where to capitalise on this opportunity and address the
Rugby has a limited presence challenges we face. We have listened and clearly
heard what you want, which is more than just
on-field success.
01 Foreword – 2016-2020 Australian Rugby Strategic Plan
This includes: OUR FANS OUR ADMINISTRATION
• The values of the game driving consistent
behaviours and decisions for players and 2. Ignite Australia’s passion for 4. Create excellence in how the
administrators the game game is run
• A place in Rugby for every Australian
• National footprint, with global impact and local • In a hyper-competitive environment, our teams, from • Our game requires strong leadership and high
enjoyment NRC, through Super Rugby to Wallabies, need to be performing organisations. To do this, we will deliver
• Smart, creative, running Rugby more exciting to watch and ignite the passion in our the National Charter that will guide decision making
• A co-operative union with each state, territory and fans, new and old. To do this, we will improve the across all of Rugby and implement the Australian
affiliate working in an aligned way game through on-field innovation and better off-field Rugby Strategy Group that will bring leaders of
engagement through digital and stadia initiatives – Australian Rugby together to guide strategy and
As a collective, our vision is ‘To inspire all Australians including having our elite teams playing in world-class provide input into key decisions relating to our game.
to enjoy our great global game’. To realise this vision, rectangular stadia. We will increase Rugby’s share of We will also ensure that the administration of
we need to deliver better than ever before in four key voice in the public domain by connecting our players, Australian Rugby reflects the society we live in by
areas: past and present, with the community. doing more to recruit, develop and retain women from
the boardroom to the playing field in order to nor-
OUR COMMUNITY OUR ELITE TEAMS malise their role and place in our game.
1. Make Rugby a game for all 3. Build sustainable elite success The 2016-2020 Australian Rugby Strategic Plan sets
out the framework for Australian Rugby to deliver
• Traditional XVs Rugby is our core and we need to • Our game needs winning Super Rugby, Sevens, across these four key areas over the next five years
protect and strengthen our senior and junior clubs. Wallabies and Wallaroo teams. The professional and has been developed with contributions from
However, this will not be enough to make our game game generates over 90% of the money in the Rugby every part of the game. It is a Strategy for Australian
grow. We need to develop new formats of the game economy and surplus to invest in other areas of the Rugby, by Australian Rugby.
to encourage new entrants through the doors of our game. To create sustainable success we will create a
clubs and focus our attention on encouraging co-operative high performance environment across all To execute the Strategy we need to align funding with
diversity, particularly to appeal to more women, of our elite teams that recognises the importance of our intent. As an industry, Rugby needs to become
Indigenous and Pasifika peoples. Importantly, we will performance science, technology, and coaching smarter with the way it directs its investment. We
direct a greater proportion of our energies and development to support improved talent identification, operate in a different world and the way we have
funding to make these formats sucessful. athlete development and pathways, wellbeing, team operated in the past will not lead us to future success.
dynamics and technical development. Our Strategy is focussed on the growth of the game at
every level and we will harness a once-in-a-generation
Foreword – 2016-2020 Australian Rugby Strategic Plan
02
opportunity to put our game back onto a Women
sustainable financial footing by directing our
investment into initiatives that will deliver more • More girls picking up and running with a ball
participants, fans, elite success and ultimately, • Flourishing women’s Sevens scene – established
revenue. and clear pathway
• More women on the touchline and in the Boardroom
You can expect to see the differences of this new
Strategy everywhere the game is played from 2016. Welfare
We have set ambitious targets for our game to
achieve which we will publish and track – there • Zero tolerance for playing with concussion
will be full transparency of our annual performance • Non-contact formats to address concerns about
and scorecard as we move towards 2020. But physicality
beyond these numbers we intend to effect rapid and • Elite athletes able to perform at their best
real change in a number of areas: • Rugby is a positive influence on society
Values This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to reshape the
game we love. I hope you will join me in making this
• Shared set of values we all recognise plan a reality.
• These values guide all decisions and behaviours
• We are proud of our game and our identity
Clubs
• The core of our game gets stronger and stronger 12 April 2016
• More diversity in our game
• New formats of the game flourish in clubs
03 Foreword – 2016-2020 Australian Rugby Strategic Plan
04
Introduction
Rugby in Australia is a key sporting and cultural • Positioned on a sound financial platform to invest
platform that underpins our identity as a nation and in driving growth in participation, fan engagement
projects it on a global stage, while providing and success for our national Sevens teams, Super
opportunities for millions to enjoy our sport. Rugby teams and the Wallabies
Traditionally, Australian Rugby has overachieved The Strategy has been created
domestically and internationally relative to its market through a process of:
size. However, in the last few years it is clear that
Rugby has faced a number of structural changes • Consultation with all States and constituents in
which have challenged the basis of the sport. Rugby
• Consultation with the Rugby Union Players’
This 2016-2020 Australian Rugby Strategic Plan has Association
been created to address these challenges and • Engaging 8000+ fans and sponsors through
ensure that all parts of our game work together workshops and questionnaires
effectively over the next five years and beyond. • Workshops with key representatives from all Super
Rugby and state Rugby bodies
Importantly, this Strategy will • Direct input from the ARU Board and management
see Australian Rugby:
• Operating under a single and unified direction, with
all parts working towards achieving common targets
• Implementing a whole-of-game strategic planning
process
• Promoting participation across three distinct formats
of the game – traditional XVs (our core product),
Sevens and non-contact VIVA7s
05 Introduction06
Challenges Facing The Game
The sporting market in Australia is well known to be challenges affecting Rugby that both reflect profound
highly concentrated and competitive. It has always changes in the way Australians interact with sport and
been this way. However, we have identified five key our place within the sporting landscape:
Change Implication
People participating less in organised sport More competition to get people into the game
Greater resources and reach of other sporting codes More competition for talent, viewership, attendance and
female involvement in the game
People engaging more through digital channels Fans expect more than a traditional match day
experience
Increasing strength of the code globally Elite success becoming harder to achieve
Greater challenges to the financial viability of the Industry needs to move from relying on windfall
code payments to a sustainable financial model
07 Challenges Facing The Game08
What Our Fans And Corporate
Partners Want
As part of the consultation process with stakeholders, Over 8,300 fans completed the survey, which asked and Club Rugby, to development competitions, Super
the Australian Rugby Survey was released to engage a range of questions regarding future investment and Rugby, Sevens and the Wallabies. The key
fans and seek their views on the game’s future in expectations for all levels of Rugby, from grassroots messages were:
Australia.
Emphasis on investment in grassroots
Success for the Wallabies seen as the most and Club Rugby
Increase mobile/online content
important outcome. Success = Winning
RWC / Wallabies in Top 3 teams in the world
Improve match day experience: better Thriving NRC is seen as a key pillar of
Make Rugby more entertaining: Running value for money success over the next five years
Rugby with the ball in play more often
Fewer stoppages: Fix laws to reduce Greater promotion and marketing
Make all of our Super Rugby teams downtime and scrum stoppages
competitive, with each team making the
Accessibility: Rugby needs to be on
finals at least once every three years
Improved stadia: access/services/facilities free-to-air TV
09 What Our Fans And Corporate Partners WantWe also met with some of our main national The Rugby community wants more than on-field
corporate partners to get their feedback on how we success. The common themes from across the game
are performing. Overall, they were very positive about include:
their relationship with Rugby, stating that: • A place in Rugby for every Australian
• National footprint, with global impact and
local enjoyment
Partnering with Rugby gives • Smart, creative, running Rugby
• A code that honours heritage, culture and values
us the ability to align with key • A co-operative union with each state, territory and
affiliate working in an aligned way
demographics and reward
customers with unique
experiences money can’t buy
However, they highlighted some areas where they felt
steps could be taken to improve the value generated
from their sponsorship deals. The main themes were:
• Grow media presence – create more stars and
personalities, more conversation, focus on
World Cup
• Focus on making the game more accessible – from
a diversity (women and Indigenous) as well as
cultural perspective
• Improve peripheral entertainment and build more
anticipation ahead of big games
• Engage more broadly with sponsors –
communication, PR, player education
• Importance of grassroots in building a strong fan
base
What Our Fans And Corporate Partners Want
10Our Strategy
This is a Strategy designed for Australian Rugby, by passion for the game and build sustainable elite of the game, we will focus a greater proportion of our
Australian Rugby. success, while creating excellence in how the game energies in the first key area – driving participation
is run. and making Rugby a game for all. Also explicit in this
As we embark on a new era for our game, our efforts Strategy is growing different formats of the game over
and investment will be focussed in the key areas that All of these Strategic Pillars are important and the next five years in order to attract and grow a more
will make Rugby a game for all, ignite Australia’s reinforce each other. However, given the current state diverse participation and fan base.
11 Our StrategyOur Vision
Inspire all
Australians to
enjoy our great
global game
Our Strategy
12Strategic pillars Underpinning Themes Formats
Make Rugby A Game National, Super Rugby and NRC teams with an
For All identity that make Australians proud
XVs
Ignite Australia’s
Diverse Rugby community, with more women playing
Passion For The Game and involved with the game
Sevens
1 Build Sustainable High performing organisations to match high
Elite Success performance teams
VIVA7s
1 Create Excellence In Contemporary relationships with fans through
How The Game Is Run improved digital capabilities
13 Our StrategyThis is a substantial change from our current approach, the most prominent areas where change will be effected are:
From To
Focus on elite success Balanced focus on participation, fans and elite success
“Real Rugby” being XVs Rugby 3 distinct and complementary formats – XVs, Sevens, VIVA7s
Reducing the cost to play and attend Rugby Focussing on providing better value for money
A game for men A game for men, women and children
Consuming through attendance and viewership Consuming through attendance and viewership and experiencing through digital platforms on the fans’ terms
Conservative and traditional thinking Embracing heritage, whilst driving innovation
Wallaby program High performance unit servicing all elite teams
Funding focussed on professional game Professional game helping fund community Rugby
Pockets of good leadership and governance Leadership excellence at all levels and industry best practice in governance across the game
Our Strategy
14Make Rugby
A Game For All
Our XVs game and Club Rugby is at the heart of
Australian Rugby and keeping it strong must be
central to ongoing success. However, it looks
Development Workforce grow and shepherd
increasingly likely that, on its own, the traditional male
XVs game in Rugby heartlands will be insufficient to participants through the pathway
grow our clubs and base of participants, particularly
with the changing demographics of Australia. Our
target is to reach new markets of people not
currently participating in organised sport to build a
Build and enhance our clubs and Introduce non-contact versions
more diverse participant base and ultimately,
increase the number of players entering Rugby clubs. the XVs game of the game with VIVA7s
To do this, we need to scale-up our development
workforce across the country and introduce new
Build Rugby into the public Make Sevens a year
forms of the game that will appeal to groups that have
not traditionally engaged with Rugby. These are not
schools system with Game On round sport
types of Rugby designed as an entry into XVs, but
games that stand on their own feet. These formats
need to reach into our network of clubs to
reinvigorate their playing base, help them become Clubs grow by having a new audience and new formats of the game
more sustainable and use their infrastructure 12
months a year instead of 6.
15 Make Rugby A Game For AllDeveloping these new formats along with a workforce As a priority, Australian Rugby will develop and
to support them is a key focus for our Strategy over implement a National Schools Strategy focussed
the next five years as we look to significantly grow on providing access for public and private school
and diversify our participant base. students, to quality competitions and Rugby
experiences at a local level (through access to
Further, with a greater focus on diversity and choice participation programs – Game On, and quality
of Rugby formats, schools present a prime opportunity and balanced competitions and formats – VIVA7s,
for Australian Rugby to engage with boys and girls Sevens and XVs) and elite level (through access
and provide them with opportunities to play and to competitions, facilities and infrastructure and
experience a global sport, whether at a social, connections with state and national pathways). In the
competition or elite level. Schools Rugby plays a first instance, this may involve pilot programs and
unique and important role in the Australian Rugby competitions in particular markets (such as a “Girls’
landscape – it has a direct impact on the health of Sevens in Schools” competition) to test and refine
the game, particularly in relation to developing the proposed delivery models.
current and next generation of participants (players,
coaches, match officials, administrators, and Another key part of the overall plan will be developing
supporters), the cultivation of the talent pool, fan and supporting a workforce and quality coaching
attraction and engagement. program to nurture and encourage students to
participate and stay involved in Rugby through school
Accordingly, a key focus for Australian Rugby in the and into the club environment. A focus on this will be
short term must be to develop a national blueprint for to provide safe environments for school participants
the game at the schools level – for both boys and girls. and best practice player wellbeing programs.
At present, ground is being lost due to For more information on
aggressive competition, lack of exposure in the Game On and VIVA7s:
schools market, lack of visible, valued and sustainable
investment, perceptions about the health-related risks Game On – aru.com.au/gameon
involved and uncertain roles and responsibilities VIVA7s – VIVA7s.com.au
between schools and the governing bodies of the
game.
Make Rugby A Game For All
16Focus Area Rationale
Grow the game through XVs, Sevens and VIVA7s to Provide different products to make Rugby more Expand school footprint through initiatives such as
meet the consumer’s changing needs accessible to different groups and address national Game On program for schools
concerns about the physicality of the XVs game
Organise Rugby’s delivery system through building a Need to secure the next generation of volunteers to Need to develop tools to assist volunteers in the
high quality workforce grow our game administration of Rugby
Increase focus on the role of development officers Requires co-ordination of a whole-of-game plan,
shepherding boys and girls from sampling Rugby to digital tools and bringing other bodies (TAFEs, RTOs
joining local junior Rugby clubs etc) closer into Rugby
Promote the benefits of playing and being involved Communicate the health benefits of Rugby, whilst Closer links to the professional game to create
in Rugby promoting the work we are doing globally and heroes for the next generation
nationally to improve player wellbeing and the safety
of the game
Diversify Rugby so that the game reflects the Focus on women, which is the fastest growing Step-change in our Indigenous programs and focus
communities in which we live Rugby segment in other markets and an untapped on growing and celebrating the critical role Pasifika
opportunity peoples play in Australian Rugby
17 Make Rugby A Game For AllFocus Area 2020 Targets
Grow the game through XVs, Sevens and VIVA7s to 356,500 participants across three formats of Rugby –
meet the consumer’s changing needs XVs, Sevens and VIVA7s:
- 115,000 Club XVs / Kids Pathway participants
- 75,000 Schools XVs
Organise Rugby’s delivery system through building a - 75,400 community Sevens participants
high quality workforce - 41,100 VIVA7s participants
- 50,000 Game On participants
Promote the benefits of playing and being involved 500,000 promotional participation experiences
in Rugby
Increase male player to population rate from 4.1% to
4.9%
Diversify Rugby so that the game reflects the
communities in which we live Increase total female participation rate to 15% of all
participants across three formats
Elevation from Category B to Category A of
Australian Sports Commission NSO Participation
Investment Categorisation based on current ASC
classification scales
Make Rugby A Game For All
18Ignite Australia’s Passion
For The Game
Rugby’s attractiveness comes in part from the generates a richer game than other codes. While we and the Wallabies, to make these games and the
complexity of the game. It is not a simple game to need to protect Rugby’s heritage, we must work hard, experiences around them better for all stakeholders,
watch, participate or learn, but the complexity of it particularly around our core products of Super Rugby most particularly our fans – at home and abroad.
19 Ignite Australia’s Passion For The GameFocus Area Rationale
Make Rugby a more entertaining game to watch by Rugby needs to be a more exciting game to watch
working on law variations and innovation
While protecting its unique points, we need to ensure
that we provide fans with fast-paced running Rugby
Increase attendance by giving fans a better match The in-stadium experience is critical to how fans enjoy
day experience by improving the stadia we play in the game and we are lagging behind global sports
and the value we provide through digital experiences e.g. NFL and NBA
Increase interactions with Rugby by enabling fans to Digital media is part of the fabric of life for our fans
be digitally connected with the game and improve the and players
relevance and quality of information we provide
We need a presence to engage with our fans on their
terms – wherever they are, whenever they want it
Revive the Rugby Union brand by being smarter Rugby has positive messages to deliver, we have
about promoting the game and more consistent about positive brands and heroes (including former
the way we use the brands we have Wallabies) to promote the values of the game, pride
and excitement it can generate
Ignite Australia’s Passion For The Game
20Focus Area 2020 Targets
Make Rugby a more entertaining game to watch Increase % of Rugby fans agreeing with the following
statements:
- Rugby has the best entertainment value live at
the match from 39% to 52%*
- Rugby matches are innovative and dynamic to
watch from 51% to 60%*
Level of interest in Super Rugby is >50% year on year*
Level of interest in The Rugby Championship is >60%
year on year*
Achieve average Australian TV viewership of 100,000
for every Super Rugby game played in Australia
Achieve average Australian TV viewership of over
1 million per Rugby Championship Test match played
in Australia
* As per Repucom Brand Tracker
21 Ignite Australia’s Passion For The GameFocus Area 2020 Targets
Increase attendance by giving fans a better match day Increase % of the Rugby fans attending Super Rugby
experience from 37% nationally to 40%*
Increase the average number of Super Rugby games
attended by existing Rugby fans from 1.2 to 2.2 games
per season*
Retain 100% of full season members year on year*
Achieve 1.1 million ticket sales for Wallabies Test
matches over the period of 2016-2020
Achieve level of satisfaction with the Test match day
experience of 90% or more (top 2 box)*
Achieve level of satisfaction with the Super Rugby
match day experience of 90% or more (top 2 box)*
* As per Repucom Brand Tracker
Ignite Australia’s Passion For The Game
22Focus Area 2020 Targets
Increase interactions with Rugby by enabling fans to Rugby.com.au and Super Rugby team sites the first
be digitally connected with Rugby place fans visit for Rugby news as measured by brand
tracking and claimed online activity
Achieve 1 million visitors per month to rugby.com.au
and Super Rugby team websites
Generate $250,000 in new revenue streams via
digital channels
Generate a loyalty subscriber base of 500,000
Revive the Rugby Union brand % of Rugby fans claiming they saw a Rugby advert
from 58% to 70%.
Wallabies: Ranked #1 as Australia’s most recognised
national team brand
Super Rugby: All Australian Super Rugby teams
ranked within top 40 Rugby brands internationally
23 Ignite Australia’s Passion For The Game24
1 Build Sustainable
Elite Success
Elite Rugby is the engine room of the Rugby positive on-field results, over an extended period development and optimisation of capabilities across
economy and has expanded from men’s XVs of time, requires all parts of the elite game to the game to maximise the effectiveness of the
to include the professional men’s and women’s be aligned, supported by significantly improved Wallabies, Sevens, Super Rugby and other elite team
Sevens program following its inclusion in the Olympic systems, communication channels, technology and programs. Such elite team success will be a central
and Commonwealth Games. Combined with difficult infrastructure. Moving forward, one of the most driver of Rugby’s ecosystem, integrated with and
financial circumstances, this has stretched the important opportunities available to the game is, feeding participation, community development, fan
resources available to service high performance (HP) as pragmatically as possible, attaining seamless engagement and financial sustainability.
needs. alignment from a HP perspective between the
Wallabies and Super Rugby teams. Generating sustainable high performance outcomes
The start-stop history of centralised HP programs has requires more than being competitive on the field on
inhibited co-operation, communication, knowledge We have created a new strategic approach with any given day. It requires all parts of the game to be
management, and the realisation of economies of stakeholders across the game at the elite level aligned and better systems, processes and
scale that could have greatly assisted the on-field to resolve these challenges. This will involve the infrastructure to exist.
performance and financial impact of Australian Rugby adoption of a continuous learning and performance
teams and franchises. Consistently delivering management philosophy to embed systems
25 Build Sustainable Elite SuccesSFocus Area Rationale
Talent Identification: Enhance existing systems and So at all times Australian Rugby understands what
introduce new systems constitutes the ideal Rugby player by position, the
supporting rationale for the ideal Rugby player, and
where these athletes can be found and suitably
engaged
Athlete Pathway: Ensure clearly defined and easily To attract, develop, contract and retain quality athletes
understood pathways are available in Australian Rugby for the duration of their careers
Athlete Development: Establish performance To provide athletes the best opportunity to realise
protocols for each critical athlete development their full potential as Rugby players
functional area
Team Dynamics & Technical Development: Create an So coaching inputs and outputs maximise player
environment where game oriented information is learning
readily accessible
Build Sustainable Elite SuccesS
26Focus Area Rationale
Event Focus: Build competencies and systems that So teams can be best prepared to perform and
enable seamless preparation for major Rugby events achieve success at the highest level
e.g. Rugby World Cup, The Rugby Championship,
Super Rugby, Olympics/Commonwealth Games,
World Rugby Sevens Series, World Rugby U20s
Championship
Resource Inputs: Put in place robust and tested So teams have the required resource inputs to build
systems across Rugby in coaching development, player and team capabilities needed to achieve
performance and medical science, technology and success at the highest level
infrastructure and culture, strategy and people
27 Build Sustainable Elite SuccesSFocus Area 2020 Targets
Talent Identification Embedded systems to identify, recruit, develop and
succession plan international level players across XVs
and Sevens for men and women
Athlete Pathway Accessible, attractive and integrated talent
development and competition pathways across XVs
and Sevens for men and women commencing at 14
years of age; >85% of players in national team
programs having graduated through state and
national pathway programs
Systems-led contracting model to recruit and retain
talent targeted to achieve elite team success
Athlete Development Researched and benchmarked player development
systems enabling in-depth analysis of player pool
depth (3+ players per position for each national team)
and enhanced challenge for elite team positions
(selection choice)
Team Dynamics & Technical Development Integrated coaching and analysis systems to measure
and drive performance across all elite team programs
Build Sustainable Elite SuccesS
28Focus Area 2020 Targets
Event Focus Win 2019 RWC
Win The Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup
3 Australian teams in the Super Rugby finals
Olympics (2016 & 2020) and Commonwealth Games
(2018) medals for women’s and men’s Sevens
Inputs: Strategically led and performance managed high
Coaching Development performance funding systems
Performance Science
Medical Science Integrated systems and high performance support
Technology & Infrastructure services between national teams and Super Rugby
Culture, Strategy & People programs
Formal education and development programs for
elite program staff across coaching, performance and
medical science and leadership
Advisory councils across all high performance
‘service’ areas
29 Build Sustainable Elite SuccesSour player pathways
One of the most crucial aspects of this Strategy is opportunities to become successful professional and • Addition of the Junior Gold Cup – a national
to create clear, sustainable pathways across Rugby. national athletes in our game. competition for U15 and U17 year old players
This builds a link from the community side of our • Restructure of the national U20s program
game to the elite level and provides a route for boys The path for players to be introduced to the game,
and girls – from the first time they pick up a Rugby and to develop and graduate through to higher Collaborative research and development must
ball at Game On – to develop through our network levels of programs, teams and competitions, must be continue in order to provide a pathway by 2020 that
of schools and clubs, before moving into under an ongoing priority for Australian Rugby. Significant contributes strongly to the attraction, development,
age national programs, and then into Super Rugby work has been done since 2013 to expand the men’s contracting and retention of quality athletes for the
clubs and senior national teams. As we grow the pathway including the: duration of their sporting careers – on and off the
community side of the game, the pathways to elite • Re-introduction of the National Rugby Champion- field – and across XVs and Sevens.
Rugby exist to provide players with the best possible ship (formerly the Australian Rugby Championship)
Build Sustainable Elite SuccesS
302020 Men’s Rugby – National Pathway
Traditional TBD - Uni
Exisiting Comp
Future
super rugby wallabies
teams Rugby
the Rugby World Cup
nrc
Super Rugby Championship
Comp
Club Rugby
XVs & 7s aust u20s
Super
u20s comp
nrc u19s Jnr (U20)
World Cup
aust schools
nat schools team
State XVs champs
Champs - Jnr gold cup Olympic / Cth
Junior Club Junior Club & Games
& School Schools 7s world 7s World Cup
comps - xvs series
VIVA7s
Game on Aust 7s Team
NAT 7s
champs - Nat 7s series
JUnior club Open & Youth
& school
comps - 7s
Youth Olympics
Nat Emerging
Youth Cth Games
& Youth 7s
Teams
Domestic Competitions,Teams & Programs National Competitions, Teams & Programs International Competitions
31 Build Sustainable Elite SuccesSOver the next 18 months, major projects in the elite
environment will include:
• In-depth development of a vision for Super Rugby
• Evolution of the contracting system to meet the
needs of the current and future elite Rugby
landscape
• Defining the roles and responsibilities at each level
of the pathway and the various important levels that
contribute to the broader development of talent and
elite teams
• Structural development of a domestic Sevens
pathway from youth through to elite, male and
female
• A re-design of the national U20s program including
the introduction of a “Super U20s” competition
structured for future growth and alignment with
underpinning club and school development systems
• The second major iteration of the National Rugby
Championship
• Centralising the capture, management and analysis
of data sets to enhance player wellbeing and
development for high performance
Build Sustainable Elite SuccesS
322020 women’s Rugby – National Pathway
TBD - Uni
Traditional Comp
Exisiting
Future
Olympic / Cth
Games
women’s 7s 7s World Cup
TBD - Uni
Comp world series
aust 7s team
Nat 7s
champs - nat 7s series
State 7s
open/youth
Champs -
7s school open youth Youth Olympics
comps Youth Cth Games
VIVA7s
Game on
club rugby
-7s XVS world
cup
women’s xvs
program
nat xvs
champs
club rugby
- xvs
Domestic Competitions,Teams & Programs National Competitions, Teams & Programs International Competitions
33 Build Sustainable Elite SuccesSTo remain relevant as a code, Rugby needs to ensure
that by 2020 (and importantly by the Tokyo Olympics),
there is an established and flourishing pathway for
women’s Rugby so that we are able to attract and
retain players and provide a career choice for female
professional athletes. While there is plenty of work for
Australian Rugby to undertake in this area over the
next 12 months, establishing the pathway will ensure
that Rugby is positioned to become a sport of choice
for women and girls and the only code that can be
played from the schoolyard and club playing fields to
the ultimate world stage, the Olympic Games.
The work in this area is to establish pathways to the
same level of capability and competence that exists in
the men’s game.
Build Sustainable Elite SuccesS
341 Create Excellence In How
The Game Is Run
Australian Rugby currently operates in a federated While more complicated to operate within, the The current set of arrangements has evolved over
structure, with the States – the Member Unions – strength of the federated arrangement is the ability time and there is a lack of clarity across account-
responsible for implementing participation programs, for the Member Unions to respond more closely to abilities in the federated structure. To run the game
club competitions and high performance teams local market factors and provide a closer link between effectively, it is imperative that all parts of the game
(i.e. Super Rugby teams), and the national body state governing bodies and local stakeholders, most interlock in a clear manner, under a common ambition,
(ARU) driving research and development, strategy, particularly local clubs and affiliates. Ultimately, we values framework and unity of purpose.
governance and integrity, co-ordinating national need strong profitable Super Rugby teams, NRC clubs
teams, competitions and programs and acting as the and Member Unions and a structure and way of work-
ultimate ‘keeper of the code’. ing to ensure this.
35 Create Excellence In How The Game Is RunFocus Area Rationale
Implement the Australian Rugby National Charter To provide clear roles and responsibilities across all
parts of Rugby
Give clarity of purpose and decision rights
Create a common values framework for the game To help guide decision making and the way we
collectively behave as a sport
To be clearer about what we expect and the right
behaviours
Form and operate the Australian Rugby Strategy To create an entity representing the constituents of
Group (ARSG) Rugby to guide national strategy for the growth of
the game
To make decisions in the best interests of the
whole-of-Rugby
Create Excellence In How The Game Is Run
36Focus Area Rationale
Establish a whole-of-Rugby strategic Have a single, aligned and transparent process for
planning process setting targets and allocating resources
To ensure investments in Rugby are focussed on the
key strategic imperatives
Drive administrative excellence in Rugby through To develop administrative structures and skills to help
establishing a high performance culture; drive the deliver our Strategy
Rugby economy; and effective global and domestic
partnerships To interlock effectively with government, commercial
and broadcast partners and governing bodies / Rugby
partners
37 Create Excellence In How The Game Is RunFocus Area 2020 Targets
Implement the Australian Rugby National Charter Rugby organisations continuing to operate in
accordance with the National Charter (as amended
from time to time)
Create a common values framework for the game Values framework implemented across Australian Rugby
>95% ARU / SR / MU stakeholders agree there is
compliance with values framework across game
Form and operate the ARSG 100% compliance to whole-of-Rugby strategic
planning process by ARSG
Establish a whole-of-Rugby strategic planning process
Drive administrative excellence in Rugby through Compliance to ‘Elite Sport Male Champions of
establishing a high performance culture; drive the Change’ benchmark indicators, including:
Rugby economy; and effective global and domestic
partnerships - 30% of women in Board roles
- 30% of women in senior management roles
- 30% of women in staff
Growth of Future Fund to $10m by 2020
Financially sustainable Super Rugby Clubs – each
club making a positive contribution to the Rugby
economy through reporting a surplus
Create Excellence In How The Game Is Run
38Inspire all Australians to enjoy our great global game
rugby.com.au
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