Cost of development

[The InnFORCEr]

Australia's rugby outposts, Perth and Melbourne, are set to be big winners from the STILL yet to be announced new SANZAR broadcast deal.

The Force and Rebels are understood to have stand-alone academies at the top of their wishlists, worth $500,000 apiece in set-up and running costs.

The requests have been received favourably at Australian Rugby Union headquarters, where academies are seen as the most sustainable way of helping the clubs help themselves.

http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-union/wa...28-ghbjz4.html

Wow a win for the West!!

[Alison]

It's not signed and sealed yet TIF so I'm holding my horses!

[GIGS20]

That piece WAS in the SMH, I'm sure it was written with an air of aghast suspicion that the funds required for a Melbourne and Perth academy weren't directed to the hard-working and deserving Shute Shield!

[Macattack]

I hope it is correct, the failure to properly fund and develop the emerging clubs through their grass roots ruby is a massive issue for the sustainability of rugby in Aus - perhaps the ARU is finally recognising it (I know, I know, they have shown no business sense or strategic desire for the last 5 years, so maybe I'm being naive)

[DazloT]

I hope it is true as it would prove the Force were on the right track to sponsor their own academy with no assistance. And it is delivering.

Funny how 500K is about the loss the force will make this year.