RFU proposals to increase the level of professional rugby could have worrying implications for clubs in the lower leagues such as the Preston Grasshoppers.
The funding that is necessary to start a second professional league would have to come from money that the RFU would normally have allocated to a wider range of teams in the lower leagues.
Funding is currently allocated to allow teams to pay officials fees and cover insurance and public liability costs. As a result of the new plans the 12 clubs that participate in the Championship, as it is being called, will receive £2.3 million in RFU core funding instead of the £1.6 million currently paid to National League One.
With the amount of revenue needed to sustain a professional team is considerably more thn the average lower league rugby club is generating. If you look at the lower league of football the teams are attracting crowds of over 2,000, this is the kind of targets that any club making the change to professionalism would have to aim for to be a success. Preston’s closest professional is Sale Sharks, who have been Premiership Champions in recent years and average a crowd of 10,000, but more importantly were given a major cash injection.
The RFU is in danger of losing teams to financial ruin in a bid to turn the game more professional, something that happened with the creation of the Premiership. Also there is concern as to the amount of players that could perform at a professional level and whether he league would be flooded with foreign players and ageing pro’s hindering the development of good young British players with teams needing to put results ahead of performance and development.
Saturday, 6 December 2008
Rugby Championship?
RFU plans to create a second tier of professional rugby has been met with mixed feelings. Talks of introducing a further 12 team fully professional league, possible know as the Championship have been discussed by rugby executives.
With an increasing gulf in talent and performance developing between the teams at the top a National League 1 and those at the bottom, there as a number of teams that would welcome a change to professionalism. On 14 November the RFU Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of the new proposal, which will begin in 2009. Under the proposal the RFU will pay £2.3 million a year to help fund the change, with future rises due through television rights
In 1996 the top division of rugby in England turned professional with Wasps RFC winning the first title. Clubs like Bath, Leicester Saracens, Newcastle and Northampton were able to attract wealthy benefactors, but the professional era also had its casualties, as clubs like Richmond and London Scottish were forced into administration when their backers pulled out.
Fears are rife that a similar situation could occur in the National League. With a possibility of 5 teams to be relegated from Division 1 at the end of the 2008-9 season, the current financial situation could lead to funding problems.
Both Leeds Carnegie director of rugby Andy Key and Plymouth Albion chairman of rugby Graham Dawe have criticised the proposal saying that the move would be financial suicide.
Summary of Key Issues
Fixtures – a reduction to 12 clubs means the loss of 4 home league games. The end of the National Trophy in 2008-09 means the loss of further games and guaranteed PRL/sponsors income. A home game generates around £30k to £50k for clubs so there is potential loss of £150k - £200k per club (assuming at least one home cup game) unless suitable replacement fixtures can be arranged.
At present there is no guarantee that the projected new competitions i.e. the Anglo-Welsh Cup; Anglo-Welsh Trophy, and end of season Play-off Tournaments, can be delivered.
Finance - The RFU has a responsibility to help fund the development of the game in partnership with its member clubs in accordance with the objectives set out in the RFU’s
Strategic Plan.
NL1 clubs currently receive £1.65 million per year in core funding from the RFU, which is £103,125 per club out of which the clubs pay all referees costs (circa £8k per club) and meet their own player and public liability insurance costs. In addition, the clubs share a total of £400k from the current EDF National Trophy competition. Of this £200k comes from PRL and is shared equally by the clubs. The remaining £200k comes from the EDF sponsorship and is allocated as prize money ranging from £7k for a club knocked out in Round 4 to £32k for the eventual Trophy winners.
The current RFU proposals for restructuring the league (02-10-08) offer funding of £2.3 million. This is an increase of £250,000 on the current total of RFU and cup money (£1.65m + 400K = £2.05 million).
The RFU proposes that of their £2.3 million only 67% (£1.54m or £128,333 per club) is paid as core funding in year one and the core amount reduces to £1 million or £83,333 per club by year eight which is PRL money, not RFU funding.
At present, average playing squad costs in NL1 are circa £750,000. A full time squad of 36 players plus coaching and support staff will cost £900k at average salaries of £25k; £1.08m at £30k or £1.26m at £35k. The current average salary in the Premiership is circa £60k with a proposed squad cap in 2009-10 of £4 million per club.
For some Nation League 1 clubs the move to full professionalism will cost a minimum of £400k extra in year one on playing squad costs alone quite apart from any necessary improvements in infrastructure and facilities. To reach Premiership standards the necessary cost increases will be far greater. There are no guarantees that income levels will rise commensurately. It is projected that at the proposed levels of RFU funding support the cumulative losses per club over a five year period could be as high as £3 million.
The two maps below show the position of professional rugby. The first shows the origional Premiership teams, and the second shows the teams that will be creating the newest tier of professional rugby in the 2009/10 season
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116253023932735571239.00045d64823e2446f4416&z=7
View Larger Map
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116253023932735571239.00045d74365a376d40668&ll=51.930718,-2.93335&spn=16.460026,46.40625&z=5
View Larger Map
With an increasing gulf in talent and performance developing between the teams at the top a National League 1 and those at the bottom, there as a number of teams that would welcome a change to professionalism. On 14 November the RFU Council voted overwhelmingly in favour of the new proposal, which will begin in 2009. Under the proposal the RFU will pay £2.3 million a year to help fund the change, with future rises due through television rights
In 1996 the top division of rugby in England turned professional with Wasps RFC winning the first title. Clubs like Bath, Leicester Saracens, Newcastle and Northampton were able to attract wealthy benefactors, but the professional era also had its casualties, as clubs like Richmond and London Scottish were forced into administration when their backers pulled out.
Fears are rife that a similar situation could occur in the National League. With a possibility of 5 teams to be relegated from Division 1 at the end of the 2008-9 season, the current financial situation could lead to funding problems.
Both Leeds Carnegie director of rugby Andy Key and Plymouth Albion chairman of rugby Graham Dawe have criticised the proposal saying that the move would be financial suicide.
Summary of Key Issues
Fixtures – a reduction to 12 clubs means the loss of 4 home league games. The end of the National Trophy in 2008-09 means the loss of further games and guaranteed PRL/sponsors income. A home game generates around £30k to £50k for clubs so there is potential loss of £150k - £200k per club (assuming at least one home cup game) unless suitable replacement fixtures can be arranged.
At present there is no guarantee that the projected new competitions i.e. the Anglo-Welsh Cup; Anglo-Welsh Trophy, and end of season Play-off Tournaments, can be delivered.
Finance - The RFU has a responsibility to help fund the development of the game in partnership with its member clubs in accordance with the objectives set out in the RFU’s
Strategic Plan.
NL1 clubs currently receive £1.65 million per year in core funding from the RFU, which is £103,125 per club out of which the clubs pay all referees costs (circa £8k per club) and meet their own player and public liability insurance costs. In addition, the clubs share a total of £400k from the current EDF National Trophy competition. Of this £200k comes from PRL and is shared equally by the clubs. The remaining £200k comes from the EDF sponsorship and is allocated as prize money ranging from £7k for a club knocked out in Round 4 to £32k for the eventual Trophy winners.
The current RFU proposals for restructuring the league (02-10-08) offer funding of £2.3 million. This is an increase of £250,000 on the current total of RFU and cup money (£1.65m + 400K = £2.05 million).
The RFU proposes that of their £2.3 million only 67% (£1.54m or £128,333 per club) is paid as core funding in year one and the core amount reduces to £1 million or £83,333 per club by year eight which is PRL money, not RFU funding.
At present, average playing squad costs in NL1 are circa £750,000. A full time squad of 36 players plus coaching and support staff will cost £900k at average salaries of £25k; £1.08m at £30k or £1.26m at £35k. The current average salary in the Premiership is circa £60k with a proposed squad cap in 2009-10 of £4 million per club.
For some Nation League 1 clubs the move to full professionalism will cost a minimum of £400k extra in year one on playing squad costs alone quite apart from any necessary improvements in infrastructure and facilities. To reach Premiership standards the necessary cost increases will be far greater. There are no guarantees that income levels will rise commensurately. It is projected that at the proposed levels of RFU funding support the cumulative losses per club over a five year period could be as high as £3 million.
The two maps below show the position of professional rugby. The first shows the origional Premiership teams, and the second shows the teams that will be creating the newest tier of professional rugby in the 2009/10 season
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116253023932735571239.00045d64823e2446f4416&z=7
View Larger Map
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?hl=en&ie=UTF8&msa=0&msid=116253023932735571239.00045d74365a376d40668&ll=51.930718,-2.93335&spn=16.460026,46.40625&z=5
View Larger Map
Monday, 27 October 2008
Tiger Woods- The Greatest?
Is Tiger Woods the most important sports figure on the planet?
Many would argue that indeed Woods is the most important athlete of the modern era and should take his rightful place along side Muhammad Ali, Jesse Owens, Diego Maradona and Babe Ruth. All of these men were dominant in their field and are held in the highest regard amongst critics, fans and contemporaries. Ali and Owens achievements were of as greater social and political importance as they were sporting achievement, so can Tiger live up to these lofty heights.
The Athlete
Eldrick Tont 'Tiger' Woods was first brought to the attention of the golfing world when at age 2 he appeared on 'The Mike Douglas Show' in a putting competition against comedian Bob Hope. His many amateur and junior tournament victories laid the path of things to come, he dominated the Junior World Golf Championship winning six times including four consecutive titles and became the only multiple winner of the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.
Tiger's professional career has been just as successful, he is currently second all time, trailing only the great Jack Nicklaus, in Major tour wins and is the only person to hold all four major trophies at the same time, this is however not considered a true Grand Slam as they did not all occur in the same golfing season, the achievement is referred to as the 'Tiger Slam.' He has also topped the PGA money rankings on eight out of his thirteen seasons and only once, his rookie year, finished outside the top four.
The Man
It is not though just his ability on the golf course that makes him such a remarkable sportsman. Woods is widely regarded as the 'most marketable athlete' and has numerous endorsements both from within the sporting world and in main stream advertising. He is credited with turning round the fortune of Nike's golf brand, taking a small division of the Nike brand to being golf's premier equipment. Wood's appeal crosses every demographic, his mixed race heritage has helped bring golf to a whole new audience without ever using his background for gain. He has been widely compared to Michael Jordan, not only for his dominance in his sport but for the popularity away from the game, his Nike endorsements are a reminder of the global image that was Jordan in the 1980's. Then comes Tiger's charity work, The Tiger Woods Foundation, aimed at disadvantaged children, the Tiger Woods Learning Center and Tiger Jam an annual concert which has raised over $10 Million.
It is all this combined into one package that puts Tiger Woods ahead of all his modern contemporaries. Tthere are players that have been at the top of there game for long periods, players who have re-written the rule books and players who have given as much back to their game and community as they could but none who have managed to combine all of these qualities into one remarkable athlete
Many would argue that indeed Woods is the most important athlete of the modern era and should take his rightful place along side Muhammad Ali, Jesse Owens, Diego Maradona and Babe Ruth. All of these men were dominant in their field and are held in the highest regard amongst critics, fans and contemporaries. Ali and Owens achievements were of as greater social and political importance as they were sporting achievement, so can Tiger live up to these lofty heights.
The Athlete
Eldrick Tont 'Tiger' Woods was first brought to the attention of the golfing world when at age 2 he appeared on 'The Mike Douglas Show' in a putting competition against comedian Bob Hope. His many amateur and junior tournament victories laid the path of things to come, he dominated the Junior World Golf Championship winning six times including four consecutive titles and became the only multiple winner of the U.S. Junior Amateur Championship.
Tiger's professional career has been just as successful, he is currently second all time, trailing only the great Jack Nicklaus, in Major tour wins and is the only person to hold all four major trophies at the same time, this is however not considered a true Grand Slam as they did not all occur in the same golfing season, the achievement is referred to as the 'Tiger Slam.' He has also topped the PGA money rankings on eight out of his thirteen seasons and only once, his rookie year, finished outside the top four.
The Man
It is not though just his ability on the golf course that makes him such a remarkable sportsman. Woods is widely regarded as the 'most marketable athlete' and has numerous endorsements both from within the sporting world and in main stream advertising. He is credited with turning round the fortune of Nike's golf brand, taking a small division of the Nike brand to being golf's premier equipment. Wood's appeal crosses every demographic, his mixed race heritage has helped bring golf to a whole new audience without ever using his background for gain. He has been widely compared to Michael Jordan, not only for his dominance in his sport but for the popularity away from the game, his Nike endorsements are a reminder of the global image that was Jordan in the 1980's. Then comes Tiger's charity work, The Tiger Woods Foundation, aimed at disadvantaged children, the Tiger Woods Learning Center and Tiger Jam an annual concert which has raised over $10 Million.
It is all this combined into one package that puts Tiger Woods ahead of all his modern contemporaries. Tthere are players that have been at the top of there game for long periods, players who have re-written the rule books and players who have given as much back to their game and community as they could but none who have managed to combine all of these qualities into one remarkable athlete
Wednesday, 22 October 2008
Marshall Stops Play
There are many reasons for sporting events to be cancelled or delayed, but the Portugal Masters was recently held up after a Marshall had to be rescued from the lake.
After losing his balance Graham Finch fell into the water at the 7th hole. He is unable to swim and had to be saved by a colleague.
The experience was no laughing matter for Graham, but the irony of Jean Van de Velde, who famously lost The Open Championship after a brush with water, was not lost on him.
After losing his balance Graham Finch fell into the water at the 7th hole. He is unable to swim and had to be saved by a colleague.
The experience was no laughing matter for Graham, but the irony of Jean Van de Velde, who famously lost The Open Championship after a brush with water, was not lost on him.
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Padraig Harrington PGA Player of the Year
Padraig Harrington was named PGA Player of the Year on Tuesday. Harrington is the first Irishman to win the award and just the second European to achieve the award, Nick Faldo was Player of the Year in 1990.
Padraig won the The Open Championship and the US PGA this season.
Padraig won the The Open Championship and the US PGA this season.
Introduction
Hi, I am Alastair, a student at The University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN). For the Digital Newsroom module we are required to blog on a specific sport, in this case golf.
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