The Australian Rugby Union has recorded a A$6.3M deficit for '14 after providing A$3.3M "in assistance to keep the Melbourne Rebels afloat," according to Wayne Smith of THE AUSTRALIAN. And although the new broadcast deal to come into effect next year "promises to dramatically ease the financial pressures on the ARU" there could be more pain this year. There are "no inbound tours this year because of the World Cup in England in September-October, which will cut a sizeable chunk from the ARU’s 2015 budget."
The ARU’s financial underwriting of the Rebels "is no secret but the announcement of the stark dollar figure" will do nothing to quieten demands for the number of Australian Super Rugby teams "to be culled from five to four, particularly since participation figures," also released on Monday, give no indication that the addition of the Western Force in '06 and the Rebels in '11 "has had any impact on the number of footballers playing senior club rugby."
Overall participation numbers have risen to 687,488, an increase of 12% on '13, "but all the gains have been on the margins" (THE AUSTRALIAN, 4/21).
ASKING FOR ADVICE: In Sydney, Rupert Guinness reported the ARU announced that the game's supporters and community "will be asked for feedback on where and how the game should improve." That feedback "will be considered as part of the ARU's planned five-year strategy and investment program to address issues troubling the game in Australia" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 4/20).
