Rugby Thriving In The West

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Rugby Thriving In The West

Wednesday, July 11, 2007 12:06pm
RugbyWA Chief Executive Peter O'Meara

Rugby is thriving in WA despite the perception in the east that the game in Australia is in trouble, RugbyWA Chief Executive Peter O’Meara has told the Emirates Western Force Awards Night

Making his ‘State of the Union’ address to more than 700 people at the Burswood Entertainment Complex, Mr O’Meara said that prior to recent Test victories against South Africa and New Zealand, there was the perception that rugby in Australia was struggling.

He said while that may be the view of some on the eastern seaboard, rugby in WA was flourishing.

Mr O’Meara said the Emirates Western Force had the biggest membership and average crowd of any of the Australian Super 14 teams, at 17,000 and 27,500 respectively.

“The Sea of Blue is the envy of most provinces in the competition…its passion and fine dress sense!” he said.

Mr O’Meara said the team’s reversal of form, moving from 14th to a mathematical chance of making the semi-finals in the last round, was a wonderful success.

“We were the only team in the competition to beat both the champions, the Bulls, and the runners-up, the Sharks,” he said.

“We were only team to return from South Africa unbeaten…victory over the champions at Loftus Versfeld the highlight.”

Mr O’Meara said the support of sponsors and corporate hospitality holders had been stunning, and had helped establish a strong and secure beachhead in an AFL State.

“While viewers were turning off on the eastern seaboard, our TV audience grew by 15%,” he said.

But he said that perhaps because of the team’s success, it had been the subject of an attack by a Sydney newspaper.

“The attack has related to player contracting, and while I won’t go into the details, we do not apologise for our efforts in trying to prepare our players for life-after-rugby,” Mr O’Meara said.

“The players union recently called for the inclusion of a clause in the standard player contract which encourages employment opportunities,” he said.

“We have shared this sentiment from the inception of the Force but under the current contracting protocols, we are not allowed to facilitate those opportunities.”

“We hope, with the return of John O’Neill to the helm of the Australian Rugby Union, this situation can be rectified.”

Mr O’Meara also said he hoped the State Government would begin to appreciate that Super 14 in WA needed a rectangular stadium to flourish and grow.

“Even if rugby is not your thing, the economic benefits of having six to seven games here each year should not be lost on the State Cabinet,” he said.

“The Rugby World Cup’s five pool games in Perth generated $42 million dollars, and that was in 2003.”

“The Investec Super 14 is the best provincial rugby competition in the world, and draws a television audience which spans the globe.”

“The impact of the Super 14 on the WA economy is like the Rugby World Cup, and it’s every year!”

Mr O’Meara thanked the members and fans, the players and their families, plus the staff, management and Board of RugbyWA for their part in a very successful second season.