Scott Bebbington’s Post

"Good ideas are always crazy until they're not"- Larry Page My heart goes out to all the supporters, volunteers and of course, players and coaches of the Melbourne Rebels, the Board (past and present) who got them in to this mess, not so much. It sounds mad but why don't the Melbourne Rebels field a team in the 2025 Shute Shield? Before you scoff ( I heard it from here) the numbers are not frightening. The cost of travel would be around $500 000 (Assuming 2 Grade Teams and a Colts team - or 1 Grade Team, 1 Women's team and a Colts team). Add to that the cost of running a Shute Shield club (around $1m) and maybe some extras (call it $500 000 to be safe) and you are left with a bill of around $2m . Not a huge number between Victorian Rugby Union, the Victorian Government and Rugby Australia. This number would obviously reduce after Membership, Sponsorship and Gate were collected but even if that revenue amounted to zero - $2.0m to keep a club in Melbourne sounds a fraction of the previous arrangement. The benefits would be a club for Victorian juniors to aspire to (albeit semi professional) there is a Victorian team for fans to congregate around and the games can be played in Stadiums more suited to the size of the crowds. For Stan, there is a reason for Victorian Rugby fans to keep their subscription, it solves RA's issue of providing a team in Victoria and all of us can do something to support Rugby in Victoria. Would the other Shute Shield Clubs go for it? Not sure, the progressive ones would as they should see the benefits to the game, so probably. Liz Radcliffe (President of Victorian Rugby) no doubt has a lot to think about and good on her for taking the role at such a difficult time. No solution is perfect and this idea is a good example of that, however, no fairy god mother is going to appear with the cash required to keep a fully professional Rugby Union team in Victoria. Liz, you will be pleasantly surprised at the number of non Victorian rugby fans willing to put their hand up, myself included, to grow the game. Try it for a year and see what happens - got to be better than the current situation?

It's the re-brand EVERYONE'S talking about!! No, not THAT one silly. It's the Six Nations! I love rugby. I was fairly crap at it before the two broken legs, but my dad played for WRU - Welsh Rugby Union back in the day so I've always had a vested interest. I love rugby. And not to make this too "marketing-y" but of the 4 Ps we must talk about one of them - PRODUCT - that can never be questioned in my eyes. A day out at the ruggers at any level is a day well spent. I love rugby. But christ, the business is tanking... Whether in Wales it's the car-crash of regions vs the union and total lack of investment at grass roots, or in England the main England Rugby man clearly trousering mad bonuses while the ship sinks, or the comedy of the Allianz deal, or the £15m losses reported by the Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) I love rugby. And I KNOW that fixing the mess it's in can't come down to spending untold thousands on crap like this effort for the "SHINY NEW" Six Nations comp - Europe's premier international rugby competition. Let's not all fall into the trap of thinking that a pretty new logo can fix anything - or even be any kind of "catalyst for change" the chaps in the boardrooms will have discussed. I love rugby. What rugby needs is a systematic change, a clear-out of tired management in all the home unions, to look at the French model, to promote itself better, to do better TV and sponsorship deals... everything, done better. Maybe they should get people who are actually building successful businesses (George) to take a look... I'd help.

As another England Rugby community club season closes the spectacle of club successes and disappointments across the leagues as clubs celebrate or commiserate performances. However, while England Rugby struggle to solve the Premiership Rugby vs #ChampionshipRugbyClub financial debate, failing to establish a fair playing field at the top of the sport a similar battle is being played out throughout the leagues! Sport is based on fair competition, playing by rules/laws, being compliant with policies and conditions of competition… apart from in the England Rugby “amateur” leagues that is! While some clubs celebrate their youth policies, publicly stating which senior players come through their youth section (see Wetherby RUFC), a champion of true community sport, a few clubs, choosing to pay ‘professional players’ to bolster playing squads, denying they do so (once they’ve been successful) makes a mockery of ‘fair sport’. Being successful, gaining reflective glory, with an unfairly stacked squad is cheating! No one would praise the ‘playing of over-aged players’ in youth rugby (then pretending such players weren’t older just because the team was successful)! So why are coaches happy to do so in adult rugby? Those who bask in such ‘fake glory’ of winning, after fielding stacked teams should, at worst, hang their heads in shame or, at best, admit they are cheating and honestly state they pay players. Maybe England Rugby & Yorkshire Rugby should follow Wetherby RUFC example requiring clubs to indicate, in match programs, which senior players come from clubs junior sections (**) and which players are paid professionals (##)🤔 #HonestOpenGame

The new Men's Professional Game Partnership (MPGP), announced today, is a watershed moment for English rugby, for a number of reasons. 🌹 Most notably: 1) It is the first time that the Rugby Players Association has been a signatory to the agreement governing the professional game, recognising the essential role that players have in shaping the future of the sport. 🏉 2) It includes a landmark joint marketing agreement, which should facilitate a more coherent commercial strategy for selling the professional game, which is desperately needed. 📈 There are many other positive talking points in the new deal but, as ever, the proof will be in the pudding. 🍰 However, it is not clear that this amounts to the full "relaunch" of the Premiership that was promised following the demise of Worcester and Wasps. In particular, significant questions remain over promotion/relegation and the status of the Championship. 🤔 The Minimum Standards Criteria have been adapted to make it easier for Championship clubs to get promoted (if they can win a two-legged play-off) but, as the full RFU press release states, "there is currently a major gap in competitiveness and playing budgets between the Gallagher Premiership and Championship clubs and the financial requirements needed to compete in the Premiership". Yet, strikingly, the new MPGP does not appear to tackle this fundamental problem (which results from the lack of funding and commercialisation of the second tier) and the Championship clubs are excluded from the MPGP. It is disappointing that the opportunity has been missed to remedy this chronic issue, which will, no doubt, continue to plague the competition. What do you make of today's announcement? Let me know in the comments. ⬇ #sportslaw #sportbiz #EnglandRugby #rugby #sport https://lnkd.in/gz-Tc_fU

Twickenham Stadium becomes the Allianz Stadium: Could this be the turning point for English rugby? Rugby fans across England have felt ‘personally attacked’ by the loss of their beloved “Twickers”. ’How could you?’, they scream. Well, considering the state of the game, quite easily. Our rugby specialist, Will Thompson, breaks down why this deal isn’t all doom and gloom, and could actually be the game-changer rugby in England so desperately needs: 🏟 This deal is reportedly worth more than £100m over 10 years, a staggering figure in rugby terms that will see record numbers invested in the grassroots game and professional clubs. After a difficult few years since Covid, the RFU are keen to avoid any more pain. Fans, players, and key voices in the media have been calling out for the desperate need for investment, and this is the answer. 🏟 This investment will also provide vital funding into the professional game and senior teams, particularly enhancing growth in the women’s game with Allianz already title partner of the Premiership Women's Rugby 🏟 With that, Allianz is a known sponsor of rugby across the world, so it feels an authentic and genuine partnership 🏟 The press release from the RFU mentions ‘improving experiences’ at the stadium too, essential in bringing Rugby HQ into the modern day with a stadium that attracts new fans to generate more revenue, which forms a huge part of the funding for the whole English game; multiple routes to the station might be a start... 🏟 The other alternative at one stage was selling Twickenham altogether and merging the Home of Rugby with the Home of Football – yes Wembley! So we were relieved this deal means our iconic home remains 🏟 Accusations of Twickenham ‘selling its soul’ are somewhat naive, as these types of investments are exactly what every other mainstream sport has done to survive and grow. And just as people still affectionally call Wembley Stadium Connected by EE simply ‘Wembley’, The Kia Oval simply ‘The Oval’, Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium simply ‘Murrayfield’, and the DHL Stadium ‘Cape Town Stadium’, Twickers will always be Twickers to rugby fans After what’s felt like years of ‘what do we do’, this deal feels like the first huge step towards growing and changing the game this nation loves so much. #Rugby #Twickenham #AllianzStadium #RFU

I think that it is important that England Rugby and Premiership Rugby take from this that in reality the important signs of life are at Leicester Tigers, Northampton Saints and Gloucester Rugby who are viable outside of the patronage model. Now is the time for bold and innovative thinking about a game built on tradition that is clearly not working financially at an elite level. A game that continues to have three main sources of funding: (a) Patronage, which is precarious in the current economic climate. (b) Receipts from internationals, which at the current rate will price itself out of the market. (c) TV rights, increasingly less sufficient. New funding models, new ways of attracting sponsorship, pricing structures, TV packages...everything needs to be on the table in a lids up review. The Leonard Curtis report cannot be allowed to prop doors open at England Rugby, it needs to be adopted, explored and challenged to find ways to: - Improve access and participation. - Attract funding not debt. Think innovation, think radical, be prepared to move quickly and break things. Lean into prosper, not survival. Do not aspire to be a feeder to the FFR - Fédération Française de Rugby leagues. Bring the the Rugby Championship along and while you are at, James Haskell has some good ideas.

#1 of 4 in the way forward for the WRU A Leader in Decline It’s painful to admit, since the WM headline where I urged Pickering to get on a plane and get Gatland. Warren Gatland’s recent performances as coach have left much to be desired. His return to Wales has seen a record-breaking slump, including 12 consecutive test match losses—the worst in Welsh rugby’s 143-year history. Gatland himself has acknowledged this disastrous run, stating he would support "whatever the best decision for Welsh rugby is," even if that means stepping aside. While this might sound selfless, it reflects a lack of conviction and confidence that has become increasingly apparent. His remarks about staying only if Welsh rugby supports him don’t inspire hope; they come across as disengaged and even dismissive of the fans’ passion and expectations One of his most contentious statements was his suggestion that fans and the media should avoid "knee-jerk reactions." This tone feels more like a rebuke to those who have poured their hearts into the game rather than a rallying cry for improvement. When Gatland returned to New Zealand to coach Waikato, his tenure ended in disappointment. The same scenario seems to be playing out in Wales, where the team’s performances and morale have nosedived It’s time for the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) to make bold changes. Let’s not wait for the Six Nations to solidify another year of mediocrity. Appoint someone like Dai Young, who has shown resilience and tactical acumen. The Welsh fans deserve a coach who is fully engaged, passionate, and capable of building a team that reflects their enduring love for the sport. Gatland’s legacy will always include his past successes, but history cannot be the sole justification for keeping him in charge. Professional Rugby is a results-driven sport, and Welsh rugby needs a leader who embraces the challenges head-on—not one who dwells on former glories or prepares exit strategies.

Here is the 2nd in a series of 4 on how to move WRU forward using a blank sheet of paper. No Guts, No Glory: How to Save Welsh Rugby from the Brink By David Moffett, former CEO of Welsh Rugby Welsh rugby is in turmoil. Once the pride of a nation, it now teeters on the edge of irrelevance—both on and off the field. As the Welsh Rugby Union (WRU) wrestles with governance crises, financial instability, and lackluster performances, the organization seems to have lost touch with the very principles that once made Welsh rugby great. Having led Welsh rugby through transformative years, I watch with frustration as my warnings from the 2014 Manifesto—or as it’s known, the Moffesto—continue to play out in real-time. The WRU’s refusal to embrace meaningful change has led to a catastrophic decline, and recent governance reforms that bow to fashionable ideologies confirm the adage, Go Woke, Go Broke. But all is not lost. Welsh rugby can be saved if it has the courage to embrace bold, decisive action. Here are the four things I would do to restore glory to the WRU and the game in Wales. 2. Streamline Governance: Replace Politics with Purpose The WRU’s governance structure has long been its Achilles’ heel. While the recent reforms aim to modernize, they lack the radical overhaul required. What Welsh rugby needs is a streamlined board composed of experts who understand the game, business, and community. Everyone should only meet a single criteria – are they the best person for the job? The idea that the WRU should appoint a chair and CEO based on alternating gender rather than merit is fundamentally flawed. This rushed decision, made in the wake of efforts to address the WRU's toxic culture, reflects misguided priorities. Leadership roles should be filled by the best-qualified individuals, irrespective of gender, to ensure robust governance and effective decision-making. Fans deserve nothing less than the most capable people steering Welsh rugby toward success, focusing on their expertise and vision rather than tokenistic measures. Very rarely are these people found in the ‘big end of town’. The WRU should prioritize decisions that benefit the game across Wales, from grassroots to professional levels. This means creating a clear separation between governance and operations, empowering professionals to lead with accountability.

Championship rugby clubs in England face an uncertain financial future following the announcement of the Professional Game Partnership (PGP) between the Rugby Football Union (RFU) and Premiership Rugby (PRL). The PGP, which aims to create world-leading English teams, will see the Premiership clubs receive £33m per season. In contrast, Championship clubs will each receive their lowest-ever funding of just £133,000, a significant drop from the £650,000 they received in 2016. Many Championship clubs feel excluded from the discussions and frustrated by the financial disparity between the two tiers. Despite new provisions, such as a two-legged play-off for Premiership promotion and increased flexibility in entry criteria, Championship clubs remain sceptical. They face immense financial challenges, particularly with the recent liquidation of Jersey Reds and concerns over future funding. Although the RFU has outlined plans to create a more sustainable second tier and develop young talent, the clubs emphasise the need for greater financial support to bridge the growing gulf between the Championship and the Premiership. #Rugby #RFU #RugbyUnion #SportsFunding #SportsBusiness

Given the current schism in New Zealand Rugby, Roger Mitchell's well-articulated recent article on #Rugby & talk of #Saudi money coming to create a Rugby version LIV Golf on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast (with Mark Foster), the storm clouds of #disruption seem imminent. For me, it comes down to the fact that when compared to other high-profile sports, elite Rugby players play too much, get absolutely battered week-in week-out for quite frankly relatively pitiful remuneration. No matter how much tinkering is done with rules, governance, player vs country contracts, concussion protocols, etc. this lack of money going to its stars leaves the sport more vulnerable than ever for someone to come along with a big cheque and mix things up a bit. The inevitability of this is almost palpable but the nuanced cause and effect, fragmentation and revolution it may cause is up for debate. In the meantime, I'm looking forward to a nice day out on Saturday attending European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR)'s showcase Championship Cup, final Stade Toulousain Rugby v Leinster Rugby at Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, who knows I might have to go to #Riyadh to watch it next year! 😉 RugbyDAO World Rugby AYNE - are you not entertained? podcast Public Investment Fund (PIF)