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Steve-o
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Well an eventful week it has been indeed.
Melbourne was getting much hype these last couple of months, looking to be in front in terms of support. However in-fighting seems to be the downfall of yet another opportunity for Australian rugby union to get a foot hold in the football codes.
Come guys get your act together! Wasn't O'Neill employed because of his skill to secure deals like this?
http://www.keo.co.za/2009/09/26/sa-rugby-b...bout-kings-bid/SA Rugby are confident that they have a compelling case for the Southern Kings’ inclusion in the expanded Super Rugby competition in 2011.
The Kings will be up against a franchise from Melbourne for the 15th spot in the southern hemisphere tournament, and acting managing director of SA Rugby, Andy Marinos, was bullish about their prospects after they submitted a 60-page bid document.
‘The bid document makes a very exciting and compelling case for the Southern Kings’ inclusion,’ said Marinos. ‘SA Rugby has taken the lead in the organisation and preparation of the Bid Document with input from all stakeholders in the three provinces and, all together, it makes for an outstanding case.
‘We have put together a strong and sustainable business plan based on realistic sponsorship and attendance projections. In addition, the Kings’ Bid is not a case of having to reinvent the wheel â€" they can be operational very quickly: the Kings have a ready audience; they have a fantastic stadium; there is a rich heritage of rugby in all communities and a significant number of schools that continue to produce outstanding young players.
‘Key personnel with Super Rugby experience in Alan Solomons [director of rugby] and Stefan Pretorius [managing director] are ready to fill the main leadership roles and they have already identified players with top-level experience who are willing to sign in due course.’
Marinos added that they expected an average attendance of 24000 for home matches and explained that they could potentially have a budget that exceeds that of some current South African franchises. He also clarified the widely held assumption that the 15th franchise will be based in Melbourne because it will compete in the Australian conference.
‘That is far from the case,†said Marinos. ‘SANZAR has to make a decision that makes rugby sense and business sense and the Southern Kings fills both criteria. Even the claims that it makes logistical sense to be based in Australia do not stack up to close examination â€" the Kings would have only one more match overseas than does a South African franchise at the moment.’
The Kings would play six matches overseas â€" SA teams currently play five matches in Australasia every other season â€" while Australian teams would play three matches in South Africa, a schedule they currently enjoy every other season.
Solomons, who coached the Kings in their inaugural match against the British & Irish Lions, was confident that they would be competitive, explaining that they had identified a coaching team and ‘taken soundings with Super Rugby quality players both here and overseas.’
Marinos echoed that sentiment. ‘There are 74 South Africans playing in the French Top 14 and English Premiership compared to 20 Australians and plenty more where they came from looking for the opportunity of top flight rugby,’ said Marinos.
‘The Kings pulled together a very competitive team to take on the British & Irish Lions in June and only Derick Kuün could be counted as a current Super 14 player â€" it shows the depth that we can tap in to. The Kings are a franchise waiting to burst to life.’
SANZAR are expected to announce their decision on October 21. If a consensus cannot be reached the matter will go to arbitration.[/b]
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http://www.keo.co.za/2009/09/24/melbourne-take-sponsor-blow/Melbourne’s Super 15 bid has suffered a major setback after losing it’s main sponsor on Wednesday.
VicSuper15, who was given majority control at the start of the project, withdrew their support because they claim they were forced out of the process.
VicSuper15 director Ray Evans said his association ran out of patience at a recent board meeting.
‘We were awarded the franchise and we actually had a draft agreement,’ he told rugbyheavan.com.au. ‘Then we went to the board meeting to be told that our draft was withdrawn. We were told that as we walked into the board meeting.
‘They indicated to us that the reason it was withdrawn was because the Victorian Rugby Union [VRU] was not prepared to work with us, but that is not our problem, that’s their problem to manage.’
The controversy began from the start when the ARU made the decision that Melbourne was going to be their fifth franchise bid, and then combining the rival parties to form one team.
The team consisted of VicSuper15, which is backed by Sydney businessman Kevin Maloney, a VRU-backed Melbourne Rebels and Belgravia headed by Melbourne Victory chairman Geoff Lord.
With Thursday the deadline for the Super 15 bid’s submission to Sanzar, the ARU realised that the parties could not be brought together and has now started the process of structuring a new financial model.
Maloney has not ruled out a return to the franchise, saying it depends on their future plans if they are successful.
‘All I can say is, one has to wait and see what the ARU might possibly come out with if they win the bid. If it’s a private franchise and they’re looking for equity investors, I’m in the mining business, I do understand the risk associated with it.
‘Melbourne is a premier sporting state, people do love sport, they do love sports no matter what, so if any state has got half a chance of making a successful franchise, they’ve got a better chance than most, so you’d be silly if you said â€no, I’m not going to consider itâ€.’
Sanzar will make their final decision between Melbourne and South Africa’s Southern Kings on 21 October.[/b]
Well an eventful week it has been indeed.
Melbourne was getting much hype these last couple of months, looking to be in front in terms of support. However in-fighting seems to be the downfall of yet another opportunity for Australian rugby union to get a foot hold in the football codes.
Come guys get your act together! Wasn't O'Neill employed because of his skill to secure deals like this?
