FW: [LTRugby] The 2010 Rugby Canada Financial Statement

Further comments/responses on the above subject.

 

 

  Jack Morrison

 

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From: David Nelson [mailto:David.Nelson@johnstonequipment.com]
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2011 11:58 AM
To: gsneddon2; S & J Morrison; general@nobsrfc.com; Dave Haslam
Cc: apiggott@rogers.com
Subject: RE: [LTRugby] The 2010 Rugby Canada Financial Statement

 

Hi Gord, Jack et al,

 

I would also like to add that the majority of the funding that this “article” in BC Rugby News is directed funding: in other words if not used for, say, coaching, the monies are not free to be used elsewhere. It would be great to have all sorts of sponsorships to be able to use monies freely wherever they are needed but reality is we are a niche sport in our country. All of us involved are passionate bordering probably on fanatical for our sport.

I will give you an idea of what we as Rugby in Ontario face when it comes to garnering sponsorship. Living in Oakville, a town of 170,000 people, we have the Oakville Soccer Club which has a membership base of over 10,000. Also living in Ontario, a province of 13.2 million (estimated on July 1, 2010), we have Rugby Ontario with a membership base of under that 10,000 mark. Much harder to get visibility and funds other than from like-minded individuals as you might imagine.

 

And I would agree that much of the sentiment coming out of this website is not the best. Everyone is welcome to their opinion but there are times that site is more counterproductive than anything else.

 

From: gsneddon2 [mailto:gsneddon2@cogeco.ca]
Sent: Sunday, June 12, 2011 3:32 PM
To: 'S & J Morrison'; general@nobsrfc.com; 'Dave Haslam'
Cc: David Nelson; apiggott@rogers.com
Subject: RE: [LTRugby] The 2010 Rugby Canada Financial Statement

 

Jack,

 

Thanks for copying me on this e mail. As a member of the board of Rugby Canada I think I can add some comments and explanations that may be helpful and also help dispel some myths.

 

First and foremost we are about winning, make no mistake about that.  The whole goal is to have the best coaches, managers, administrators in place to develop as many players who are capable of playing at the National level and Internationally. Canada competes to win, it’s that simple.

 

That is why so much effort has gone into getting the right structures and systems in place over the past five years. That is why we have the coaching staff that we do and with Trevor’s pending retirement allows us to find that Director of Rugby with the right skill set to build on that winning attitude and culture.  Take a look at the backgrounds of our current coaching staff it is impressive. Kieran Crowley, Geraint John, Neil Barnes and Clive Griffiths are currently with the senior men’s side in England.

 

I’m not sure if you have watched the Churchill Cup Games this year but of interest, this is the second year in a row that we, Canada have reached the finals. In 2010 Canada beat France A to advance to the final against England Saxons. This year Canada defeated Russia and Italy A to advance to the finals against England Saxons. That hasn’t happened by accident and is in no small part due to the coaching and opportunities created and provided to the athletes to compete overseas in a professional environment. Domestically the past two years of the Canadian Rugby Championship has helped develop and identify the domestic based players and provided a level of competition that was previously absent. To quote Rod Snow after a Rock Blues game he described the CRC as the most intense competitive domestic competition he has ever participated in.

 

For anyone to compare the RFU with Rugby Canada is well, ludicrous. That would be like comparing Stade Francais or Leicester to Crusaders. The progress made in the UK, in England in particular since the game turned professional in 1996 is outstanding. If you think back to the crowd size prior to 1996 at a Wasps Bath game as an example then think on the numbers they draw today they have come a long way. Canada doesn’t have a professional game yet (I am hopeful) and the challenge right now is to maintain the ability to compete with those countries that do.  It won’t be easy,emerging Nations such as Georgia and Japan are going to be difficult especially when you take into account that rugby in Georgia is now their national sport and has had huge amounts of investment poured into it. Likewise in Japan where company teams is the base approach.

 

As for grass roots, I agree that is fundamentally important, but that responsibility is primarily that of the Provinces and the branch unions. Ontario has done an outstanding job in that regard, and Crusaders as a club have in terms of numbers led the way. Rugby Canada’s primary responsibility is the national teams, and administration of the game across the country. In the past year service level agreements (ie who does what) have been put in place with the cooperation and input from the Provinces, Ontario in particular, those have helped further define everyone’s respective roles.

 

Jack we have a way to go, I’m not blind to that and challenges ahead but we’re on the right path, of that I am positive. The game is growing across the country most significantly in Ontario and our National teams and the systems that improve and develop them are improving overall with results where they need to be, on the field. After all that’s where it counts.

 

Canada both men’s and women’s teams remain competitive and candidly continue to punch above their weight class, given their current levels of funding. That is simply a reflection of the quality and commitment of those involved. The women are true contenders for a world title at some point in the future.

 

Some things to ponder on are; Our women were one of the few sports in Canada to achieve funding from the own the podium program. As the name implies you have to stand a chance of being in the medals to achieve that. They the women did that on merit. Additionally the last three tournaments they have won.

 

The IRB hold Rugby Canada as one of the top twelve unions in the world. Sport Canada lists Rugby Canada as one of the best managed sports in the country. Those facts are independent and contrary to what is written by the author below.

 

Jack, Rugby Canada has lots to be proud of. We are most definitely making progress.

 

This year August 6^th Canada will play the USA at BMO field. This is a real opportunity to showcase the game in a professional environment at a location that couldn’t be better served by various modes of transport. It’s also a real opportunity for the Canadian Rugby public to get behind their side prior to the Rugby World Cup and put a good showing in the stands. It should be a great event and look forward to seeing everyone there. It will be successful if people come out and support their team. I can tell you now that the game will be broadcast live on two major networks.

 

Jack I have taken the opportunity to reply to all, and please feel free to share my comments with whomever you feel appropriate. As I say there is much to looks forward to.

 

Thanks again and hope to see you soon.

 

 

Gordon

 

Gordon Sneddon

Director Rugby Canada

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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From: S & J Morrison [mailto:s.j.morrison@sympatico.ca]
Sent: Saturday June 11, 2011 00:23
To: general@nobsrfc.com; 'Dave Haslam'
Subject: FW: [LTRugby] The 2010 Rugby Canada Financial Statement

 

Some very interesting and thought provoking comments on our game in Canada

 

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From: barb&bob gibbons [mailto:pickledpair@shaw.ca]
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2011 2:04 PM
To: Bob Shewchuk; Byron Tucker; 'Chuck Bonsant'; Derek Coke-Kerr; Don Whidden; Jack Morrison; Ken Burrows; 'Lawarence Myer'; Peter Twiss; Rick Rollins; Rick Thompson; Robin Tweedy; Rod Walsh; Ross Boyes; Ryan Thomas; Stan Thorseth; Stuart Cowan; Terry Dunn; Terry MacPherson; 'Terry Romaniuk'; Tim McGee; Tom Shacklady; Tony Bauer; Troy Schnelle; Vic Michalchuk; Wes Slavik; Yvon Ouellette
Subject: FW: [LTRugby] The 2010 Rugby Canada Financial Statement

 

 

 

From: Chris Suvan [mailto:csuvan@norchris.com]
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2011 10:50 AM
To: ltrugby@ltrugby. ca
Subject: [LTRugby] The 2010 Rugby Canada Financial Statement

 

 

The 2010 Rugby Canada Financial Statement and New Post for General Manager Operations and Performance

 

Comments from BC Rugby News

 

[ed. comments below]
posted June 9 2011

2010 Rugby Canada Financials

The Rugby Canada financials for 2010 were put up on the RC website last week and we’ll look at those numbers. I’ve been a critic of the current administration of Rugby Canada, the one created by the Agents of Change about a decade ago. Their vision was to create a more professional administration (read more paid staff) and therefore raise the standard of rugby in the country. Using a top down approach we would generate more revenue, the national team performance would improve and rugby would enjoy a golden era in Canada. That, I assume, was the theory... it didn’t work.

In reality Rugby Canada is on the dole and pretending to be like the Fortune 500 executive (RFU) who lives across the street. We dress like him, act like him and drive the same car but while he’s pulling in a six figure salary we’re cashing our monthly welfare cheque. Then we scratch our head and wonder why we’re getting further in debt and none of our big dreams are coming true. It’s time to stop the charade, ditch the suit, put on some jeans, roll up the sleeves and start to do some honest work from the grassroots up. That’s the vision of Rugby Canada that I would support.

If we want to see what a real professional rugby organization looks like financially then we’ll compare the RFU financials to Rugby Canada’s and analyze where the money comes from and where it goes.

The RFU has 112 million in revenue, RC has 6.6 million. Their big four sources are Tickets 21.3, Broadcasting 24.6, Sponsorship 14.8, Hospitality 27.7. Our big four sources are iRB payments 1.7, Government payments .8, Membership payments 1.4, Rugby Canada generated 1.9 (sponsorship, national teams, domestic competitions, merchandise, other). We have no broadcast revenue because we don’t have a strong product to sell, our ticket sales are minimal because we don’t have many home test matches, we don’t have hospitality revenue because we don’t own a stadium, our sponsorship revenue is 0.4 million (and I’m guessing much of that is “in kind” services and product). RFU has profits of 25.8 million, RC has a profit of 57 thousand dollars. If you factor in money owing to the Churchill Cup, Demand Loans and Deferred Fees we apparently are running at a deficit of 1.3 million according to the balance sheet.

Let’s also take a look at where the money is spent. RFU spends 13% (11.5) on Elite rugby, 20% (17.2) on Community, 18% (15.4) on Admin and 17% (14.5) on their Stadium. RC spends 38% (2.5) on Elite, 10% (.7) on Community, 25% (1.6) on Admin and 12% (.8) on Membership (basically insurance).

Rugby is not professional in Canada, we don’t have a professional administration revenue profile so let’s stop pretending and start growing rugby from the ground up. As I've said many times, 25% admin costs are too high, we need to drastically reduce that figure and spend more on community initiatives. The volunteer community is the real strength of Canadian rugby and that needs to be appreciated, recognized and organized.

Rugby Canada Financials for 2010
RFU Financials for 2010

General Manager - Operations and Performance

Job Posting General Manager

From what I understand this job is to replace Trevor Arnold who is retiring. TA's current job description is Director of Rugby. I have issues with the job description and concerns on how this person will be selected.

Nowhere in Trevor Arnold's job description does it say he's responsible for creating winning rugby programs. His job description on the RC website states: "The Director of Rugby reports to the CEO is responsible for ensuring that Rugby Canada continues to plan and develop in accordance with strategic planning guidelines and agreed upon funding parameters. The Director of Rugby is responsible for and will provide leadership to all Rugby programs and support the on-going endeavors of Rugby Canada staff members to improve the skills and knowledge they require to perform their roles effectively. This person will plan, manage, implement and promote “best practice” and promote a positive image of the sport within and beyond the Rugby community."

So basically follow the guidelines, no matter how flawed, and promote a positive image... and people wonder why winning is secondary in the Rugby Canada culture.

The new job is only a little better, it does mention in one line: "The primary challenge of this position is to improve Canada’s international success and status." But then repeats the same line about positive image: "The successful candidate will plan, manage, implement and promote best practice resulting in a positive image within and beyond the Canadian Rugby community." Bottom line what is more important to you as a member of Canadian rugby, winning or image, substance or style? If you say image, which is what I believe the Rugby Canada directors and staff are primarily interested in, then you shouldn't complain about losing at the international level, just bask in the positive image that they're creating. If you're more interested in winning then you should be concerned as well.

The job description is full of flowery language that is sometimes contradictory and often meandering. Good luck in finding the right person using this job description as a yardstick. Here is a particularly meaningless statement: "The General Manager must possess an understanding and acceptance of as well as support for future international success for the national Rugby teams of both genders." Seriously what does that mean, do you possess an understanding of future international success, do you possess an acceptance of future international success, do you support future international success? Really you'd have to be a moron to answer no to any of those questions and still apply for the job, and we don't need any more people with a knack for the absurd.

Reading through the job description do you feel confident they'll find the right person to turn around Canada's on field performance? It's more likely to attract an academic who has very little understanding about the realities of the job. Here is my addendum to the job description:

You will be responsible and held accountable for the following measurable outcomes:
- you will ensure the Men's U20 team wins the JWRT competition and returns to the top 12 championship
- you will ensure that Canada's Senior men now ranked 15th increase by at least two ranking levels
- you will ensure Canada's men and women 7s teams qualify for the 2016 Olympics
- you will ensure Canada's women maintain a top six ranking
- you will have a four year cycle to accomplish these tasks and will be evaluated every year on your progress

Plain English, measurable outcomes, this is really what we're looking for, positive image comes second.

So who will be selecting this person, hopefully not the person leaving that position. We need people who will be held accountable for the selection. I'd like to see some people from the rugby community on the selection panel. I suspect if Graham Brown is dominant on the selection committee he'll select someone who won't be a threat to his position and is a good follower, someone who can easily be thrown under the bus if there's an outcry for accountability, not really what we need. It seems the people we've selected lately at the national level have been good followers, the good leaders, like Morgan Williams have been removed. It may make for a harmonious office environment but it doesn't do anything to improve Canadian rugby on the field.