Rugby Australia's $2.6 million World Cup flop is the 'middle finger' to Aussie clubland
Rugby Australia is trying to rebuild the faith of the community after years of turbulence.
OPINION
As Phil Waugh and the Rugby Australia bean-counters were busy poring over spreadsheets and masses of red ink, my local rugby club was on the hunt for missing water bottles and looking for ways to cut down on the bill when jerseys from the weekend's trial are put through the laundromat. Nothing spoke louder of the divide most rugby types in Australia feel towards the top tier of the sport than Waugh's admission the World Cup budget was overblown to the tune of an eye-watering $2.6m.
Years ago, then Australian Rugby Union boss Bill Pulver suggested Sydney clubs would just "piss it against the wall" if funding was made available to keep them afloat. As one club official told me at the time: "It'd be great if we had a wall to piss it up against."
Clubs around the country – at all levels – were forced to fend for themselves years ago when it became apparent there would be zero funding from either their state or national bodies. They simply got on with the job of keeping themselves and the game alive at grassroots level, working the phones and walking the streets to entice sponsors, members and fans to invest in rugby.
They didn’t even receive as much as a thank-you. These are the very same people RA is now trying to win back.
The average club employs a handful of people - if it can afford it - on salaries well below market value. Players at first grade level can expect remuneration but the hourly rate would be akin to a shift at Maccas given the commitment required.
Rugby grassroots digging deep for the game
Lower graders and those involved at suburban rugby level do it for a pie and Coke. It’s left to an army of volunteers to wash jumpers, fill water bottles (if they're returned!), set-up the field, pack away the field, set up rubdown tables and strapping, fill the Gatorade tubs, man barbecues, run the line, make sure the beer fridge is stocked…the list is endless.
These are people with busy lives, jobs and families, but they do it for the love of their club and the game. And what does the game give them in return? An arrogant and gross over-spend on the worst World Cup campaign in Wallabies' history.
Imagine how far $2.6m would go in clubland. Talk about showing the middle finger to your most loyal constituents.
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