Hinckley Rugby Club’s Post

ICYMI: TFH Hire Services Pty Ltd has extended their Major Partnership of the Queensland Rugby Union, a third extension of the partnership since first coming on board in July 2020. https://lnkd.in/ev5uKWkr

Brett Robinson, the frontrunner to be World Rugby's new Chairman, reportedly wants "more regulation" of player contracts and movement. Robinson's priorities in this respect are twofold: 1) The international transfer of youth players. ✈ 2) Rising player wages. 💰 The first of these issues primarily affects the Pacific Islands, where talent is routinely harvested by foreign academies, to the detriment of the local rugby ecosystem and, too often, the players themselves. This has long been a problem and should be more stringently regulated. ✅ However, the second issue is more controversial. 🤔 Robinson recognises that World Rugby does not control player wages, but in his view: "We need to work together on a model that creates some friction in player transfer arrangements, because we have some environments where player wage inflation is being underwritten by philanthropy, not the true commercial revenues of the sport. That is not sustainable in that competition, but also it is destroying the foundations of other competitions as talent leaves or the attempt to retain it pushes the salary budget through the roof and teams fall over." Whilst the global economics of rugby are undoubtedly challenging, players and their representatives will be concerned to read of an intent to 'create some friction' in player transfer arrangements. Alarm bells will also be ringing for any sports lawyer familiar with recent CJEU decision in Lassana Diarra v FIFA, not to mention Bosman and other such cases which have come before. Attempts to restrict the movement of players will come under close legal scrutiny anywhere in the world, but particularly when it applies within the EU. Of course, World Rugby is based in Dublin...Watch this space. #WorldRugby #AutumnNationsSeries #Rugby #CompetitionLaw

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The age-old question must be asked...Is it, in fact, coming home? ⚽ UEFA Euro 2024 is right around the corner, as are the Olympics, Tour de France, and Wimbledon. While fans enjoy your hospitality - sitting in the sun, sipping ice-cold beverages, and cheering (or shouting) at the TV - many are blissfully unaware of the behind-the-scenes effort to prepare for the influx of sporting fans. From ordering large quantities of plastic cups for safety, hiring extra seasonal staff, to implementing additional training, every business has its own way of getting ready. So, we’re curious - how does your business prepare for the football season or large sporting events?🍻 #Euro2024 #FootballSeason #2024Olympics #Hospitality #BusinessPrep #CustomerExperience

After three Premiership Rugby clubs went into administration last season with London Irish, Wasps and Worcester Warriors all entering the process the financial turmoils of professional rugby clubs have taken somewhat of a back seat to action on the pitch. Fan bases of the three clubs that went into administration will be hoping that professional rugby returns to their region but for Worcester Warriors fans the situation has become further complicated by the news that its new owner Atlas Worcester Warriors Rugby Club Limited appointed Administrators last week. Atlas initially acquired the business and assets of WRFC Trading Limited in May last year. A pre pack sale of Atlas completed following the Administrators appointment and there still remains a focus on bringing first tier rugby back to Worcester. As for other clubs in the league and professional rugby in England generally the financial struggles do continue. Clubs face losing players to lucrative Top 14 contracts and salary cap restrictions, and although average attendances are increasing marginally, notwithstanding the cost of living crisis and reduced number of fixtures in a season, generating sufficient matchday income and over revenue to create a sustainable business model is extremely difficult when clubs seem to perennially make losses. #insolvency #businessrecovery #restructuring #turnaround #business #rugby #accountant #london

French TOP14 side Toulon have been fined €500,000 for failing to disclose the transfer fee paid to Northampton for Dan Biggar when he was signed in November 2022. Although the club has not breached the TOP14 salary cap, it has been found to have breached the reporting obligations related to the cap. Toulon have indicated that they will appeal and, without knowing the underlying facts, you would imagine that reducing the size of the fine will be the club’s primary objective. Given that the fine exceeds the value of the transfer fee apparently not disclosed, it might well be challenged on grounds of proportionality (although the nature of the failure to disclose will of course be relevant to any sanction).

Digital enabler and communication solutions provider MTC, in partnership with the Namibia Rugby Union (NRU) this week launched a senior men’s regional tournament that will start in February 2025. Read more: https://lnkd.in/dkTrVZSa

Rugby and Qatar… After today’s Tori Towey debacle how can the IRFU and other Unions seriously consider this initiative- “Also high on their list of priorities is the scheduled launch of the new biennial Nations Cup tournament in 2026, with a lucrative proposal of €950 million over eight years having been tabled to stage a so-called Super Bowl of Rugby finals weekend in Qatar. No final agreement has been reached but, despite the potential financial bonanza, some major unions are understood to have reservations. In addition to Qatar’s human rights record, a relative lack of travelling supporters could have an impact on ticket sales and the atmosphere inside the stadiums. Sources suggest discussions are now entering a decisive phase” Don’t do it. Can’t do it for the right reasons…

The Telegraph is reporting that Premiership Rugby is considering a merger with the 'celtic' teams in the United Rugby Championship to form a British and Irish league. The idea of a two-tier 20-team league, with promotion and relegation, would certainly have its merits and may have significant appeal for both broadcasters. There would be significant hurdles to overcome, though, both commercially and legally. For example, from a commercial perspective, what impact might a reduction in local rivalries have, and what would this do to the Champions Cup? From a legal / governance perspective: 1) What rights do the Italian and South African sides have to remain in the URC? Presumably, they will not go quietly. 2) Where would this leave the RFU Championship clubs? They currently have the right to vie for promotion into the Premiership and will not want to be excluded. 3) What would this mean for the Premiership's Salary Cap? A salary cap would presumably be deemed necessary, but the URC does not currently have one (with certain Irish teams rumoured to be spending more than Premiership clubs). IRFU and RFU central contracts may also complicate things further. A fascinating story, which will no doubt continue to run for a long time to come. #SportsLaw #EnglandRugby #PremiershipRugby #URC #Rugby https://lnkd.in/ek_ijPJP

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