Rugby Australia announce near eight-figure deficit
Rugby Australia has announced a $9.2 million deficit for the 2023 financial year amid forecasts of more challenging times to come before the governing body hits the jackpot with a British and Irish Lions series and two home World Cups in three years.
The considerable loss was partly due to $11.5 million being invested during a World Cup year, including an unapproved $2.6 million overspend on Eddie Jones’s disastrous campaign in France.
The results were revealed following RA’s annual general meeting in Sydney on Monday.
The year also included a $4.9 million reduction in revenue, largely due to lower match-day income as a result of only being able to host two Wallabies Tests in the World Cup year, compared with six in 2022.
RA said additional high-performance investment in the Wallabies, Wallaroos and Australia A programs, increased spending in Super W, and higher player payments reflecting 2023 being the first year of a new collective bargaining agreement, contributed to the deficit.
The governing body reported an uplift in participation across clubs and schools, with significant increases in young people taking up the game.
There has also been a 16 per cent rise in female participation as professional opportunities in the women’s game continue to grow.
In the third year of RA’s broadcast partnership with Stan Sport and Nine, free-to-air viewership for Saturday night Super Rugby games was up 15 per cent on 2022’s average, while club rugby viewing figures also increased, RA said.
The Wallaroos were the growth standout of RA’s digital channels, with an increase in video views of more than 500 per cent, while the sevens teams also proved popular.
RA boss Phil Waugh said while he expected 2024 to also be difficult, the future looked positive – anchored by ticket sales for next year’s British and Irish Lions tour.
“From a revenue perspective, 2024 will be another challenging year given we have had to take on the unplanned cost of the Melbourne Rebels,” Waugh said.
“We have set a clear path forward … to ensure a thriving future for Australian rugby.”
Waugh was unable to give a timeline for a decision on the future of the cash-strapped Rebels as anxiety grows at the club, refusing to guarantee a call would be made before the end of the season.
“Ideally it will be,” he said.
“I acknowledge it is a frustrating time and we do want to accelerate the decision. There’s a lot of inputs that go into that.
“One of the ones that I did talk about was the administration process, and creditors are meeting this Friday, as well as other inputs including broadcast implications.
“We haven’t finalised all those inputs yet, however, we understand the urgency and the time pressure given staff finish at the end of end of June and players need certainty, as do staff, for 2025 and beyond.
“I don’t want to anchor ourselves to a date except for the fact that we need to acknowledge that the sooner the better.”
Comments on RugbyPass
Got a lot of over the top abuse from Crusader fans, in particular, who thought every 7 they had was miles better. Now we will see if anyone is better? Laid his body on the line every game so finishing early makes sense. A lot of life left after rugby.
1 Go to commentsA poor decision to appoint Carley as not only is Pearce a better referee but also importantly speaks French.
2 Go to commentsHe is 100 % on the mark. Malicious arrogance with a lack of respect for the other teams mostly the south. they must learn from True rugby nations like the Boks and Kiwis
115 Go to commentsThis Outiniqua boy has played sublime rugby and deserves a spot in BI LIONS team. Well played son
4 Go to commentsI don’t like to see players miss big matches but this ban looks to be tailored to allow him to compete in the final. In principle a suspension for a very dangerous tackle in a semi should warrant missing the relevant final. Done now. One the flip side having both teams with very strong squads/teams available for the final will add to the occassion hopefully.
1 Go to commentsTalent to burn and a huge engine..hope he gets a shot at higher honours
2 Go to commentsIf anything like his dad he has a bright future, Soane was the best ball carrying props ive ever seen using a combination of pace power and footwork.
1 Go to commentsThose who saw Sharks vs Clermont and Ox N'Che vs Rabah Slimani should have a good idea of the best scrumagers… May be not the best props…
2 Go to commentsIt's been an unusual era of unpopular, highly competitive, domineering, fairly big fly halves in the home nations with Farrell, Sexton and Biggar. Russell is different in personality and player I think. I'd rank Sexton first of the three because he is just as good a game controller but also has a great passing game. And his competitiveness never seems to cause problems with refs.
34 Go to commentsThank goodness he wasn't born in Scotland, he'd have been a great candidate for the Scottish Barbarians. I wouldn't put it past them to push for a “where the player was conceived” rule 😂
2 Go to commentsOwen Farrell is one of the most polarising figures in the game. His entire attitude on the field (and sometimes off of it) smacks of arrogance and he is about as brash as Donald Trump in a political debate. Yet behind that facade is a calculating, determined and powerful leader who drives any team forward with an Iron will. You are right in that he gets better in the heat of battle and in the face of overwhelming odds. He develops a narrow focus and he delivers his best in a way that few others can. He is one of Englands great performers who sacrificed alot for the team and who often bears the weight of responsibility of leadership alone on the field and in front of the media. Despite what many think of him he is a fantastic game manager with a good rugby brain. He will be sorely missed from the international stage
34 Go to commentsAlways proud of the effort, Sam. The All blacks never stop fighting, never just roll over. He didn’t get anywhere near the respect he earned, but that’s due to results, not commitment to the cause. Have fun dominating in Japan!
1 Go to commentsNot sure why Papali’i thinks Scott Robertson needs his help to select the next All Black Captain. In my view, Papali’i would be well advised to have a good hard look at his own game, and to reflect on how fortunate he is to even wear the black jersey. Rather than shouting at his team mates at every set piece, standing in the mid-field pointing and holding his arms out and flopping to the ground at the back of every second or third ruck, may I suggest he would be far better employed actually doing something on the field. Seriously, watch him for 10 minutes during a game - not much happens. When was the last time he was first to a breakdown, or actually made a turnover? If Robertson is half the Coach I think he is, Papali’i will not be anywhere near the AB’s this season.
11 Go to commentsHiding coming up for Saders.
1 Go to commentsDagg really does go down some rabbit holes doesnt he? In the name I guess.
6 Go to commentsHey Brett I’m one who is looking forward to seeing JS back on the rugby field. I was under the impression that a large portion of his contract was via a third party so RA isn’t having to foot the bill My big concern is around the Tahs and what is happening there, why are so many players bailing. Is it the program, the coaches or the culture. Joe Schmidt recently said he had been at the Tahs all week and DC is a good coach. Something doesn’t gel , 10 front row forwards in a season that’s not bad luck
16 Go to commentsIncorrect title. He hasn’t said Furlong is one of the best scrummagers. He said he is one of the best props.
2 Go to comments“_It seems like a crazy thing that he was counting them_“ Are you stupid, mate? Anyone with more than half a brain understands that he meant “a lot” or something similar. Do you really think he was counting? “*Goode*: Told you, Jim!“ No, you banana. You said, explicitly, that the Irish players didn’t say what EE said they did. Even though you weren’t there. Even though you didn’t hear a word they said. M0r0n.
115 Go to commentsI am sure that Scott Robertson did do the courtesy of telling Sam Cane that he was not in his All Black plans and NZR would support him if he wished to sign a lucrative pension playing out his career in the cream puff rugby that is Japan’s Top League. I fail to see this as a negative as Israel Dagg is trying to spin it. Razor allowed Cane to leave with dignity rather than being unceremoniously dumped as was Buck Shelford.
6 Go to commentsHey rugbypass can I also get involved with writing rugby articles?
1 Go to comments