National Rugby Championship set to excite fans and develop elite players in 2014 and

[beige]

I wonder if Randwick could go it alone?

Depends on your definition - The Australian reported that Randwick is expected to link up with UNSW to submit a bid but they're not partnering with any Shute Shield clubs.
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[Unnamed Sauces]

I imagine they would expect competition from Balmain too who are moving to Leichardt Oval next year.

Some inside word that Nathan Sharpe has been offered a shed load of money to coach them next year!

[onions]

It never ceases to amaze me how professional sportsmen complain about a little bit of plane travel. I'm a 60 year old bricklaying subbie-they should try that for a week in the summer-all they have to do is sit down for 4-5 hours-farkin sooks

[hertryk]

Some inside word that Nathan Sharpe has been offered a shed load of money to coach them next year!

I'd like to know about that.....

Speaking with Sir Nathan at the Awards Night, he was keen to have Qld as his "base" to be close to his boys as much as possible..

[beige]

National Rugby Championship Q&A with Ben Whitaker - Part 1

12/16/2013
By ARU Media Unit

Following the announcement of the launch of the National Rugby Championship in 2014, Australian Rugby Union’s General Manager Development Pathways, Ben Whitaker takes time to answer some frequently asked questions about the series.

In Part 1, Ben discusses the team selection process, how the competition will be run and in what ways the tournament will transition Rugby participants into elite competitors.

1. How are you going to pick the teams?

A tender process will follow the current Expression of Interest stage from which teams will be selected against detailed criteria. Tender information will be ready for distribution to interested genuine groups in early January 2014 and we expect to announce the successful teams by the end of next February.

2. Are the teams going to be new teams and do you get selected from club completion to go into these new teams? Or are they established premier teams already?

The teams will be decided via a tender process that is open to existing clubs and groups and new syndicates and partnerships. All will be strongly considered. Players will graduate through their respective and important club competitions and Super Rugby to gain selection in teams for the NRC.

3. You are talking about maybe having a country team, would this be NSW or QLD country? Or a combined team?

The Expression of Interest process is open to all groups and partnerships. We have had some interest from regional areas already and we believe regional interest would need to be strongly considered because of the Rugby heartland they represent. Both regional NSW and QLD have strong Rugby ties and history.

4. Will there be a conscious effort to ensure the participation of ‘less resourced’ clubs from areas outside of the traditionally strong Rugby areas (Syd Uni, UQ) but with decent population numbers Are there plans to see any regional teams (e.g Newcastle) or other cities such as Adelaide in the NRC?

The Expression of Interest process is open to all groups and partnerships. We have had some interest from regional areas and States that don’t have a Super Rugby team already and we believe this interest would need to be strongly considered because of the Rugby heartland and development potential they represent.

5. Would existing clubs be able to lodge multiple EOI's? For example, one as a stand-alone and one as part of a merged entity, like the Sydney Fleet in 2007?

The Expression of Interest process is open to all clubs, groups and partnerships. We have had interest from interested parties open to both stand alone and partnership opportunities.

6. What makes this comp different to the ARC?

The talent development objectives for players, coaches and match officials are very similar to those that led the development and execution of the ARC – that is, the best players versus the best players available nationally. The construction of the competition is different in the development and selection of competing teams via a tender process and the subsequent level of investment required. The National Rugby Championship will be self-funded, while the ARC cost Australian Rugby around $5 million in its first season, which made it financially unsustainable. We are looking at a long-term financially sustainable model, which will mean significantly reduced spending on things like player payments and marketing compared to the ARC.

7. Will the proposed clubs chosen to participate be stand alone? Or act as 'feeder clubs' with links/support etc. to existing Super franchises?

The model will provide links between competing NRC teams and Super Rugby clubs – especially as many Super Rugby contracted players will play in the NRC. Players, coaches and match officials will be exposed to an effective pathway through Premier Club Rugby, NRC and Super Rugby onto the Wallabies.

8. Who will ‘control’ the teams, and do players get paid?

The NRC will have a governance (license) structure that includes the ARU, State Unions and NRC clubs. We are working on the NRC player payment policy with key stakeholders at the moment and how these relate and work within our current Super Rugby and club rugby payment systems.

9. Is the intention to not only develop players but also the supporter base? Will matches be taken to suburban grounds with cheap admission, good food and cold beer?

Fan engagement is an important element of the new competition model. However, we recognise the time and work required to build supporter knowledge and attachment to potentially ‘new’ teams that result in genuine support. Similarly where, when and how the matches are played will be critical to providing access and high level interest for fans.

10. Where can I go for more information or to download an EOI form?

Additional information and the EOI application can be sourced at rugby.com.au, or follow the ARU on twitter to stay up to date with all the latest National Rugby Championship news @ARU_Community.

Original article: http://www.rugby.com.au/News/NewsArt...eID/10676.aspx

[palitu]

"The Expression of Interest process is open to all clubs, groups and partnerships"

Shuffle and Repeat!

[GIGS20]

Did you get that thing about the expressions of interest being open to all clubs, groups and partnerships?

Although the reporter wasn't helping since his list of carefully chosen questions were all answered in that one statement and he stubbornly continued with them.

REP "So who can apply for admission to the competition?"
Ben "Everybody"
REP "Can Clubs?"
Ben "Yep, Everybody"
REP "How about Partnerships?"
Ben "Yep Everybody"
REP "Can clubs combine?"
Ben "Only if they continue to be a part of everybody"
REP "Can bodies submit multiple tenders?"
Ben "Jesus Christ which part of everybody don't you get?"

[travelling_gerry]

Should ask "Hey Ben, what was it like with the Force?"

[beige]

CENTRAL West Rugby Union chief executive officer Peter Veenstra admits basing a National Rugby Championship franchise in Country NSW would pose both players and administrators with a huge task.

Designed to excite fans and provide a bridge from club rugby into Super Rugby and the Wallabies system, a regenerated form of the 2007-run Australian Rugby Championship is being flagged as a major vote of confidence in rugby Australia wide.

But basing a team west of the mountains in 2014 is little more than a dream.

“It’s big dollars. And that sort of money isn’t even a dream for country rugby,” Veenstra said.

“There has been no discussion with Country Rugby Union from the ARU with regard to a country based team.”

Read more: http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/st...eenstra/?cs=12

[Invictus]

The tender document would make interesting reading. Would any of the forum sauces be able to sneak a peak at one?

So, NSW Country are out (presumably Qld Country also). Have heard that Newcastle might submit a tender. Any interest from Qld regional unions?

[beige]

The tender document would make interesting reading. Would any of the forum sauces be able to sneak a peak at one?

So, NSW Country are out (presumably Qld Country also). Have heard that Newcastle might submit a tender. Any interest from Qld regional unions?

I don't think it's out yet but this is the EOI document: http://myrugby.rugby.com.au/myrugby/...14_NRC_EOI.pdf

Newcastle has submitted one. I haven't heard anything from Queensland in general let alone their regional unions.

[beige]

Final expressions of interest were due today - the tendering process is due to be completed by the end of the month before a formal announcement at the end of February. It's been pretty quiet on this front recently so I wonder who's put their hands up...

[Tazzmania]

I suspect that the friendly being played at Joondalup Arena, is a tester for where we will be playing the NRC games, especially as the "A" team have a game there as well.

Cannot wait for a season choc full of games.

[MI5_Dog]

I suspect that the friendly being played at Joondalup Arena, is a tester for where we will be playing the NRC games......

I bloody well hope not!
That would be just as silly as playing the games in Rockingham or Mandurah.
You need somewhere central to ensure you get people through the gates.
No point in alienating all those south of the river by playing them in Joondalup or north of the river by playing them in Rockingham.

[beige]

Brumbies and Vikings eager to join new National Rugby Championships

The ACT Brumbies and Vikings group have launched separate bids to be part of the new domestic National Rugby Championships in an ambitious expression of interest that could base two teams in Canberra.

Officials are also investigating where the capital's team will play home matches, with options including Canberra Raiders heartland at Seiffert Oval, a new venue at Gungahlin or Viking Park.

Canberra is all but guaranteed inclusion in the eight- to 10-team competition and the Brumbies and Vikings group have both sent expressions of interest to the Australian Rugby Union.

More than 35 candidates are keen to play in the inaugural season, including an audacious bid from AFL powerhouse Collingwood to have a team play under its banner.

It's likely only one team will get approval to be based in Canberra when the competition starts in August.

The Vikings' sent in a proposal to join the competition as part of an affiliation with the Brumbies.

The Brumbies' proposal was independent, but the Super Rugby club could join forces with the Vikings for a combined Canberra team.

''If you don't put in an expression of interest, you won't get the tender document,'' Brumbies general manager Simon Chester said.

''You can do it as a stand-alone applicant or part of a syndicate … Tuggeranong's preference is to go in a partnership with us; the Brumbies fit in both categories and we haven't looked at all the ins and outs yet.

''It's more likely we'll be part of a partnership,'' he said. ''Traditionally we've worked with the Vikings. We're investigating whether that happens again and look at what works best.''

Read more: http://www.canberratimes.com.au/rugb...#ixzz2qKtGxzk1