Success story: ACT and Southern NSW region a thriving and growing rugby community. Photo: Brumbies Twitter.
The Brumbies will fight any attempt by rugby union’s national governing body to centralise the game in Australia that involves the loss of the ACT club’s local identity and commercial independence.
The club has issued a statement outlining its position on Rugby Australia’s reform plans for the game, agreeing that change is necessary but defending the Brumbies’ performance and its importance in building a more competitive code.
Speculation has been rife that the Brumbies would be the big losers out of any reform program that imposes national control on local unions, including stripping the franchise of key players to bolster other clubs.
It said the ACT and Southern NSW rugby union supported a “centralisation” model that included a national player-contracting model, alignment of key high-performance staff, such as coaching, strength and conditioning, and medical as a part of one national system.
“What we don’t support is Rugby Australia’s takeover of our commercial and corporate functions and intellectual property,” the statement said.
“The Brumbies belong to the people of the ACT and Southern NSW.”
The statement said that any new system must also reflect the Australian landscape and recognise the strength of the state unions and the expertise they provide in their own environments.
“This has always been our point of difference,” it said.
The statement supports Rugby Australia’s commitment to an independent, transparent and thorough review of the Wallabies 2023 season, including the devastating World Cup exit.
“This investigation is vital to identifying the best way forward for State Unions to align with the National Union,” it said.
However, the most appropriate governance structures and financial modelling must be found to ensure long-term sustainability and success.
The statement said rugby needed to be more competitive at all levels and called on state and territory unions to work together more effectively and closely with Rugby Australia.
Encouragingly, Rugby Australia had acknowledged the need for a more reliable and consistent funding model for Super Rugby clubs and State Unions, the statement said.
“This funding is crucial to support and strengthen the national program while boosting the delivery of vital pathways and grassroots initiatives,” it said.
The statement said the Brumbies operation was a success story, with ACT and Southern NSW region a thriving and growing rugby community.
“These programs are critical to sustaining and unlocking our next generation of players and strengthening an aligned national high-performance system,” the statement said.
The statement thanked the ongoing support of the ACT Government, the Brumbies’ major sponsors Safeguard Global and the University of Canberra for providing significant support in a time of need.
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