Latest News

Back to Latest News back

 

Australian Rugby Union to launch National Rugby Championship in August

Australian Rugby Union to launch National Rugby Championship in August
March 25, 2014

The Australian Rugby Union (ARU) has announced that its new nine-team domestic rugby union competition, the National Rugby Championship (NRC), will start in August.

The competition will feature two teams from Queensland, four from New South Wales, and one each from the ACT, Victoria and Western Australia and will include country teams from Queensland and NSW.

The competition will see each team play the other eight teams once over nine weeks, including a bye. The top four teams will then qualify for the finals.

All Super Rugby players will be required to play in the NRC, while Wallabies players will be allocated to a team and will play if available.

The ARU's last attempted a second-tier national rugby competition in 2007. However, the Australian Rugby Championship (ARC) lasted just one season before abandoned after losing almost $5 million.

Introducing the new competition, ARU Chief Executive Bill Pulver said the new NRC was an important element in developing the game in Australia.

In a statement, Pulver explained "for Rugby fans it will provide an opportunity to engage with an elite Rugby competition during the second half of the year, once the Super Rugby competition is completed..

"For players it represents the missing link in their development pathway towards Super Rugby and ultimately Wallaby selection.

"It will also support the ARU's objective to create additional compelling content for broadcasters with a quality local competition to rival New Zealand's (National Provincial Championship) and South Africa's Currie Cup."

The new competition got the green-light last week when the Rugby Union Players Association pledged not to oppose the new competition.

Another obstacle had been the status of bids combined tender bids by Sydney University/Balmain and Randwick/University of NSW, teams that might be expected to dominate the competition.

A combined bid put together by Sydney clubs Gordon, Norths, Warringah and Manly is also seen as a strong contender. The bid is chaired by Gary Flower, the former ARU Chief Executive who championed the ARC, the failure of which is seen to have cost him his job..

The Queensland Rugby Union (QRU), while supportive of the NRC, is believed to have some reservations about the long-term economic sustainability of some of the Sydney franchises but will almost certainly take part in the new series, believing the NRC would have no credibility without a strong Queensland presence.

Teams to compete in the 2014 season are:

• Brisbane City (QRU/Reds)

• Queensland Country (QRU/Reds)

• North Harbour Rays (Manly, Warringah, Gordon and Norths)

• Sydney Stars (Sydney University and Balmain)

• Greater Sydney Rams (West Harbour, Penrith, Parramatta, Eastwood and Southern Districts)

• NSW Country (in partnership with Randwick and Easts)

• University of Canberra Vikings (ACT Rugby/Brumbies, University of Canberra and Tuggeranong Vikings)

• Melbourne Rising (VRU/Rebels)

• Perth Spirit (Rugby WA/Force)

The NRC will kick off in late August following the State Premier Rugby Competitions and will run until the beginning of November.

The competition is supported by Foxtel and FOX SPORTS and at least one match per round will be broadcast live on FOX SPORTS.

7th March 2014 - ARU NAMES NEW GENERAL MANAGER FOR NATIONAL TEAMS AND COMPETITIONS

11th December 2013 - NEW NATIONAL RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP TO LAUNCH IN 2014 

20th August 2013 - COALITIONS COMMIT FUNDING FOR WORLD-CLASS DEVELOPMENT CENTRE FOR AUSTRALIAN RUGBY

12th July 2013 - LIONS GIVE SYDNEY ITS BIGGEST WEEK SINCE THE OLYMPICS

3rd May 2010 - QUESTIONS ON GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO RUGBY

8th March 2010 - CASH-STRAPPED QUEENSLAND LOOKS TO ARU


Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.

 

supplier directory

The Complete Guide to Leisure Industry Products & Services.

See the directory see all

 

TICKETSERV

As of 2018, TicketServ operates as SeatGeek Asia Pacific Pty Limited, part of international ticketing platform SeatGeek. Click here to contact SeatGeek Asia Pacific via their entry in…

read more

Attractions / Entertainment / Events / Sport / Ticketing

 
 

ICP

ICP is an Australian-based company focused on indoor climbing. ICP will manage your project from initial design to completion and beyond, whether you're building an international-level climbing…

read more

Attractions / Fitness / Recreation

 
 

Technogym Australia

Technogym is the leading company in the Wellness and Fitness field all over the world. With 2,200 employees, 14 branches in Europe, U.S., South America, Asia  and Australia, Technogym exports its…

read more

Fitness / Technology / Wellness

 
 

Altitude Training Systems

ATS are global leaders in altitude training and research. From mask systems and inflatable tents to simulated altitude facilities, we help all athletes gain the competitive edge. Our…

read more

Fitness / Sport / Technology

 
 

Clubware

Clubware’s online gym software is not your run of the mill management system. It has been carefully designed to incorporate all the elements that a fitness club would need. How did we do that?…

read more

Access / Billing / Fitness / Recreation

 
 

HIDROPLAY

Hidroplay welcomes you to the exciting world of children's Playscapes, waterslide's and Water Attractions. Appealing to families, Hidroplay increases patronage in your facility during those…

read more

Aquatics / Play / Recreation

 
 

GREENEDESK

Track. Engage. Retain GreeneDesk is a suite of cloud based software solutions helping health clubs, leisure centres and swim schools to effectively track progression, improve customer engagement and…

read more

Aquatics / Billing / Education / Fitness / Technology

 
 
 
 

get listed with our suppliers directory

Get your business noticed in our targeted directory. Viewed by 10,000 industry professionals per week!

list your business