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Dear Members of the Australian Rugby Community,
I wanted to take the opportunity to update you on the financial results and business highlights of the Australian Rugby Union for 2014, which were presented to the ARU Annual General Meeting earlier today.
I'm also pleased to let you know that we'll be asking for your input into our next five year strategy for Australian Rugby, to coincide with our next broadcast cycle from 2016-2020.
Work is already underway on developing the plan that will shape the future of Rugby in Australia.
In coming months, the ARU will embark on an extensive consultation process with our Rugby stakeholders and fans so we can capture your views and ideas on the future direction and priorities for Rugby in Australia.
We're committed to ensuring you are up to date on the strategy as it progresses so keep an eye on our website and social media channels to find out on how you can be involved in coming months.
2014 was a year of achievement in challenging financial circumstances, when we undertook measures to set ourselves up to have a sustainable future.
Some key points from our 2014 Annual Report include:
- An underlying surplus of $0.7m for 2014 for the ARU business, however when we consider our full financial result including additional funding to the Rebels; investment of $3.7m in direct grants to Member Unions to develop grassroots Rugby; and a further $4.3m funding to deliver ARU programs nationally, the ARU recorded an overall deficit of $6.3m. This is a similar result to years when we don't have a major tour such as the British & Irish Lions.
- Overall Rugby participation grew by 12% in 2014 compared to 2013 - with more than 120,000 kids taking part in National Rugby Week; the continued popularity of Sevens including a 66% increase in the number of girls and women playing Sevens (13,488); while senior club Rugby participation rates remained steady with growth of less than 1% compared to 2013.
- Further improvement to the pathway to help players move from grassroots or club Rugby to elite Rugby, including the launch of the Junior Gold Cup; an improved Under 20s program; and the Buildcorp National Rugby Championship, which included law variations.
- Investment of $23.6m to Super Rugby clubs. The 2014 Asteron Life Super Rugby season was the most successful ever for Australian teams, including the first-ever Super Rugby title for the NSW Waratahs and 40 wins for Australian teams, up from 37 in 2013 and 32 in 2012.
- A Gold Medal for Australia in Sevens at the Youth Olympics; a Bronze Medal for the national Men's team at the Commonwealth Games; and the national Women's team retained its number two world ranking at the end of 2014.
- A three-nil series victory for the Qantas Wallabies against France and a new coach appointed to lead the team to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
- Introduced flexible player contracts and player welfare initiatives including the appointment of a Concussion Specialist to advise on our approach to concussion at all levels of the game.
- Growth for television ratings for domestic Test matches and undertook significant negotiations regarding Rugby's new media rights deal, to come into effect from 2016-2020.
For more information:
- 2014 ARU Annual Report
- Media Release: Fans and Rugby Community to Provide Input for Australian Rugby's Next Five Year Strategy.
Thank you for your contribution to Rugby in the past year and we look forward to your input as we create our next five year strategy.
Regards
Bill Pulver
CEO
Australian Rugby Union