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 Northern Territory Rugby Rugby Union Rugby Union Rugby Union

Queensland Rugby WA South Australian Tasmanian Victorian Rugby Union Rugby Union Rugby Union Rugby Union

Brumbies NSW Waratahs Rebels Reds 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 ’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 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 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 Introduction 06 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 Game 08 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 Increase mobile/online content and Club Rugby 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 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 Want We 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 demographics and reward affiliate working in an aligned way 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 10 Our 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 Strategy Our Vision Inspire all Australians to enjoy our great global game

Our Strategy 12 Strategic 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

Build Sustainable 1 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 Strategy This 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 14 Make 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 schools system with Game On round sport not traditionally engaged with Rugby. These are not 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 All Developing 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 16 Focus 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 All Focus 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 18 Ignite 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 Game Focus 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 20 Focus 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 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 Game Focus 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 *

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 22 Focus 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 Game 24 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 SuccesS Focus 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 26 Focus 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. , The Rugby Championship, Super Rugby, Olympics/Commonwealth Games, 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 SuccesS Focus 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 28 Focus Area 2020 Targets

Event Focus Win 2019 RWC

Win The Rugby Championship and

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 SuccesS our player pathways

One of the most crucial aspects of this Strategy is opportunities to become successful professional and • Addition of the Junior – 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 30 2020 Men’s Rugby – National Pathway

Traditional TBD - Uni Exisiting Comp Future

super rugby wallabies teams Rugby World Cup nrc the Rugby Super Rugby Championship Comp Club Rugby XVs & 7s Super aust u20s 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 SuccesS Over 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 32 2020 women’s Rugby – National Pathway

TBD - Uni Traditional Comp Exisiting Future Olympic / Cth Games 7s World Cup TBD - Uni women’s 7s 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 SuccesS To remain relevant as a code, Rugby needs to ensure that by 2020 (and importantly by the 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 34 1 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 Run Focus 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 36 Focus 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 Run Focus 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 38

Inspire all Australians to enjoy our great global game rugby.com.au