Chairman's Report - 2024 Annual General Meeting
My 2024 Chairman’s Report includes statements made in my previous reports because they encapsulate the objectives and strategies which the Foundation continues to pursue in furtherance of benefitting grassroots Rugby through its strategic mission of ‘Sharing the Spirit of the Game’.
‘SHARING THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME’
The Board of Directors (Board) of the Foundation continues to nurture and implement the Foundation’s strategic vision of ‘Sharing the Spirit of the Game’ and the Foundation’s Primary Object, namely “to encourage the sport of Rugby in the State of New South Wales and elsewhere at a grassroots level of Rugby” (Primary Object).
Clause 1.1 of the Constitution defines ‘grassroots level of Rugby’ as follows:
“grassroots level of Rugby means the grassroots community levels of Rugby which are reasonably determined by the Board as being the appropriate beneficiaries of the Primary Object from time to time.”
Although positive collaboration between the Board and the Members of the Foundation promotes the development and implementation of the Foundation’s strategic programs, constructive interaction with the administrators of the game and the broader Rugby community is imperative if we are to achieve outcomes enhancing grassroots Rugby and Rugby in general.
OBJECTIVES AND STRATEGIES OF THE RUGBY CLUB FOUNDATION
I refer all Members to the following information contained in the directors’ report which forms part of the Foundation’s 2024 Financial Report:
“Strategic Objectives
The Foundation’s primary strategic objective is to enhance and maintain the Foundation’s financial position in a manner which will continue to generate sufficient funds annually in order to successfully and indefinitely fund the Foundation’s primary objective which is “to encourage the sport of Rugby in the State of New South Wales and elsewhere” (Primary Object) and, in furtherance of the Primary Object, to do anything incidental to maintaining the strong and supportive membership base which the Board of Directors (Board) views as being essential to the optimum level of achievement of the Primary Object.
Strategy for achieving the Objectives
The principal strategies which the Foundation is implementing to achieve the abovementioned objective include the following:
• Investing and managing the Foundation’s funds in accordance with principles and protocols which are directed at preserving the real value of capital, maximising the investment return on capital for an agreed level of risk, and ensuring a reasonable level of investment return stability at levels which will enable the Foundation to successfully fund the pursuit of its objective.
• Maximising advantage from commercial, marketing, and promotional opportunities attaching to the Foundation’s heritage, brand, and intellectual property.
• Developing and implementing strategies directed at preserving and promoting the heritage and history of the game of Rugby Union football.
• Organising activities and events for the Members of the Foundation and supporters of Rugby generally, in pursuit of the Primary Object.
• Collaborating with Rugby Australia, its affiliated unions and other Rugby related entities in relation to projects and events which are directed at benefitting the grassroots level of Rugby.
• Implementing the aforementioned strategies in furtherance of the Primary Object, and its strategic vision of “Sharing the Spirit of the Game.”
Principal activities
The principal activity of the Foundation (a not-for-profit entity) during the course of the financial year ended 30 June 2024 was to actively pursue the Primary Object by supporting and promoting grassroots Rugby in NSW and elsewhere, including grade, suburban, country, women’s and junior Rugby and Rugby referees. There were no significant changes in the nature of these activities during the relevant period.
How these activities assisted in achieving the objectives
The activities pursued by the Foundation assist in generating revenue which could be (and indeed has been) applied in furtherance of the Primary Object of the Foundation and the promotion and propagation of the game of Rugby Union football.”
FOUNDATION GRANTS PROGRAM
The Foundation has been both delighted and proud to announce that, during the financial year ended 30 June 2024, its Grants Program provided more than $500,000 in support of 24 grassroots Rugby endeavours across Australia from its eastern seaboard to Western Australia.
For the third successive year the Foundation has provided more than $500,000 in funding to community Rugby initiatives, and, since launching its Grants Program in 2017, the Foundation has now assisted 165 grassroots Rugby projects with grants totalling more than $2.7 million.
The beneficiaries of the Foundation’s 2024 Grants Program included the NSW Rugby Referees Association, Wheelchair Rugby Australia’s National League, Hunter Juniors, Central Coast Rugby Union, NSW Country Rugby Union, Sydney Women’s Rugby Union, NSW Suburban Rugby Union, Lloyd McDermott Development Team, Sydney Junior Rugby Union, and Western Australian Rugby Union Referees Association, in respect of a diverse range of programs including junior player recruitment and retention, volunteer coach education, referees’ development, and first aid and safety resources.
At the time of announcing the outcome of the 2024 Grants Program, Paula Ward, Chair of the Foundation’s Grants Committee, said:
“We are proud to, yet again, be in the position to grant over half a million dollars to initiatives directly benefiting grassroots Rugby.
“With the continued increase to cost of living impacting discretionary spend for many families, it is often sporting clubs and associations that are most impacted. To be able to provide meaningful financial relief to support the continued growth of grassroots rugby is a source of immense pride for our Board.
We look forward to continuing to see the results of each of the programs and Championships in which we have invested.”
The messages of gratitude and encouragement conveyed to the Foundation by all grant recipients constitute tangible evidence of the fact that the Foundation’s support continues to be widely appreciated within community Rugby.
NSW Rugby Referees President David Marshall said:
“Our deepest thanks to all at The Rugby Club Foundation. This grant represents a significant opportunity for the NSWRRA to have a positive impact on the game at all levels in our jurisdiction, juniors to Shute Shield and into representative rugby, as we improve our recruitment/retention and development of our referees. We acknowledge the trust the Foundation has placed in us with these valuable funds and look forward to working together to Share the Spirit of the Game.”
Sydney Junior Rugby Union General Manager Ben Gregory said:
“We thank The Rugby Club Foundation for supporting our Minis initiative which aims to not only increase minis numbers but also improve the experience for all participants. There is a lot of excitement within the Sydney Juniors community about this initiative which would not have been launched without the generous support of The Rugby Club Foundation.”
Chris Nay, CEO of Wheelchair Rugby Australia, said:
“The Rugby Club Foundation’s support of Wheelchair Rugby has improved pathways, competitions, and opportunities for athletes across the country. We are delighted to continue to partner with the Foundation and value their meaningful involvement in our sport. The Rugby Club Foundation genuinely care, and their impact to Wheelchair Rugby is immeasurable. We are grateful for their ongoing support.”
As the Foundation’s Chair, I said:
“The Foundation’s annual Grants Program is an integral component of its strategic mission of ‘Sharing the Spirit of the Game’.
It is extremely gratifying for the Board and Members of the Foundation to again make such a vital contribution to the grassroots level of Rugby because the tangible benefits flowing from the Grants Program epitomise the Foundation’s primary object and what it means to share the spirit of the game.
It goes without saying that all grant recipients are deserving of the financial assistance which they are receiving from the Foundation. It is therefore even more gratifying for us to hear the numerous ‘good news’ stories of how these grants have assisted the various elements of community Rugby in pursuing and achieving their objectives. The messages of gratitude accompanying this announcement are testament to the value which the Rugby community places upon the Foundation’s Grants Program.
I thank Paula Ward as Chair and each member of the Grants Committee for the astute diligence which they have again applied to their consideration of the grant applications received by the Foundation. Indeed, I thank all Directors of the Foundation for the ongoing passion and dedication which they apply towards enhancing Rugby at the grassroots community level.”
All Members of the Foundation can continue to feel extremely proud of the positive outcomes flowing from the Grants Program. Furthermore, all Members should be grateful for the indispensable role which Paula Ward [Chair], Rob Bradley, Stuart Dickinson, Owen Finegan and James Maxwell fulfil as members of the Board’s Grants Committee. The insight and meticulous care which they each apply to reviewing and determining the grant applications results in the Foundation’s funds being received by deserved applicants and, consequently, the best possible outcomes for grassroots Rugby being achieved. The other members of the Board therefore sincerely express their and the Foundation’s gratitude for the Grants Committee’s invaluable contribution to achieving the Foundation’s Primary Object.
WARATAH SHIELD, WESTERN SYDNEY SCHOOLS, AND SMALL SCHOOLS COMPETITIONS
The Foundation is supporting NSW Rugby’s project of promoting the growth of the Waratah Shield, Western Sydney Schools, and Small Schools Competitions. This excellent project will enable a targeted focus on engaging boys’ and girls’ schools into playing opportunities, addressing the barriers to participation, and driving the growth of schools participating in competitions, tournaments, and events.
It is particularly pleasing for the Foundation to be directly involved in the rejuvenation of the Waratah Shield.
First contested in 1963, the Waratah Shield is organised by the NSW Rugby Union in conjunction with NSW Schools' Rugby Union and NSW Combined High Schools. The Shield was not contested from 2018 until it was relaunched in 2022.
Having had the pleasure of attending the 2024 Waratah Shield finals, I can personally report that the Rugby on display was a tangible reminder of the quality of the experiences on and off the field this tournament provides.
Recognising that there is a clear need to focus on Rugby participation in Public, Catholic and Independent Schools outside of the traditional private schools, the Foundation is proud to be associated with a project directed at capitalising upon the Western Sydney Programs in which NSW Rugby has invested during the past 24 months.
STRATEGIC PLANNING
In formulating strategies and policies directed at creating greater benefits for Rugby in general, the Board recognises that its strategic planning process must also benefit Foundation Members because their support is essential to achieving optimum outcomes in respect of the Primary Object and strategic vision.
As a consequence of the ‘centralisation agreement’ entered into between Rugby Australia and the NSW Rugby Union in November 2023, responsibility for the NSW Rugby Union’s high-performance operations, assets and liabilities, and commercial operations, transitioned to Rugby Australia from 1 January 2024. The NSW Waratah’s high-performance operations, including responsibility for players and coaches as well as the commercial operations, including marketing, sponsorship, and membership, are now aligned with Rugby Australia’s operations. The NSW Rugby Union will continue to be responsible for the community game and programs to encourage greater participation across the State.
The Foundation’s strategic planning initiatives continue to embrace two key interactive components, namely the ‘Club Hub’ and a ‘Commercial Arm.’
The ‘Club Hub’ has been developed as a joint initiative between the Foundation and the NSW Rugby Union, and latterly Rugby Australia. ‘Club Hub’ functions as a central and pivotal platform for the long-term sustainability and success of community Rugby, by providing strategic direction, advice, and access to resources in support of the development of grassroots Rugby through a suite of digital resources aimed at improving the operation of grassroots Rugby Clubs. The ‘Club Hub’ enables club volunteers to more effectively access resources covering all facets of administering their club, thereby making the performance of their tasks easier, and improving the experience for all participants.
The Board is particularly grateful to Stuart Dickinson and Lisa Kane for the indispensable roles which they have continued to fulfil in developing and implementing the ‘Club Hub.’
The ‘Commercial Arm’ is the medium through which the Foundation is endeavouring to increase revenue by leveraging its brand and intellectual property, thereby strengthening its financial balance sheet, and exploiting opportunities to enhance its investment in the game. The Board continues to explore and seize opportunities to establish appropriate agreements with third parties which will both enhance and protect the Foundation’s brand and intellectual property.
The Board is grateful to Peter Whittington, Stuart Dickinson, and Stirling Mortlock for their endeavours in relation to developing a sustainable ‘Commercial Arm’ of the Foundation through their liaison with various Rugby stakeholders.
In pursuing these strategic initiatives in collaboration with key stakeholders and the administrators of the game, the Foundation can establish the programs which must be implemented for the benefit of grassroots Rugby and the wider Rugby community.
HERITAGE AND HISTORY – MEMORABILIA
The Foundation is pursuing initiatives directed at preserving and promoting the history and heritage of the sport of Rugby, and the Foundation’s interaction with Rugby Australia’s archive managers and other third parties is an important component in this process.
The Foundation and the Australian Rugby Union (now Rugby Australia) entered into an Archives Management Agreement which commenced on 1 January 2017. This agreement continues to ensure that the Foundation’s memorabilia collection is being properly stored and managed in accordance with the highest level of preservation practices, including conservation and disaster planning, and the ongoing maintenance of archives to ensure their survival and accessibility over time.
In 2022, the Foundation was invited to participate in the Annual Conference of the Australian and New Zealand Network of Sports Museums. As a member of this network the Foundation benefits from the contacts established with and the knowledge gained from the leaders of the museum sector.
The Foundation is particularly proud that, in recognition of her passionate interest in the history of the game, our Business Operations Manager, Lisa Kane, was invited to present a paper at the 2024 conference detailing the history of The Rugby Club and the strategy which the Foundation is developing to preserve and enhance the heritage and history of Australian Rugby.
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Intellectual Property encapsulating trade marks, registered business names and domain names is an important Foundation asset.
In developing strategic options relating to the Foundation’s intellectual property the Board is actively seeking opportunities with other prospective partners to leverage the Foundation’s intellectual property.
The Foundation has from time to time granted licences to third parties (e.g., Classic Wallabies, Australian Rugby Foundation) to use the Foundation’s intellectual property (e.g., The Wallaby Bar) for the purpose of branding at events which those third parties have conducted and all advertising, marketing and promotional activities associated with those events.
It is therefore mutually beneficial to the Foundation and appropriate third parties to explore the common ground that may exist between them regarding the utilisation and promotion of intellectual property.
FUNCTIONS AND EVENTS
The Foundation has continued to look for ways to enhance the opportunities provided for Members to ‘Share the Spirit of the Game.’ During 2024, the vibe associated with ‘The Wallaby Bar’ was enjoyed by Members and their guests as we held functions in conjunction with:
• Classic Wallabies: The Wallaby Bar at Cargo launching ‘Lote Tuberri’
• Wallaby First: Wallaroos v Fijiana and Wallabies v Wales pre-match function
• NSW Suburban Rugby: the revival of the Subbies v Country fixture at Boronia Park
CONTINUING ASPIRATIONS
Our Treasurer, Stirling Mortlock, and our Deputy Chair, Peter Whittington, each continue to demonstrate the highest levels of business acumen and fiscal diligence in fulfilling their roles as the key members of the Board’s Investment Committee, thus ensuring that the Foundation’s Investment Fund continues to be prudently managed through Escala Partners.
Notwithstanding the volatility associated with global financial markets, the Board is confident that the levels of funding for grassroots Rugby which have been achieved during recent years can and will be maintained in the short to medium term on an annual basis.
As Members of the Foundation, you can all be proud and satisfied that the passion and commitment associated with pursuing its strategic vision of ‘Sharing the Spirit of the Game’ has contributed to strengthening the grassroots Rugby community.
The game itself must continue to be nurtured by the Foundation and its Members, and by all Rugby supporters.
Our magnificent Business Operations Manager, Lisa Kane, endeavours to create opportunities to enhance the benefits of membership of the Foundation.
Member participation in Foundation functions and events contributes directly to promoting the Foundation’s strategic vision and achieving positive outcomes for the game we all enjoy and love. We are therefore grateful that so many Foundation Members and their guests attended the functions which Lisa organised in her usual professional and endearing manner during the 2024 Rugby season.
The Foundation’s status within the Rugby community is augmented by the delivery of its unique level of tactical and financial support directed at embracing the renewed impetus within the game.
BUSINESS OPERATIONS MANAGER
The Foundation is indeed fortunate to have Lisa Kane as its Business Operations Manager. Lisa continues to fulfil this role in an admirable manner due to her unique passion for Rugby, her general abilities and work ethic, and her caring outlook in relation to the various sectors of Rugby within Australia.
As a passionate and articulate custodian of and advocate for the Foundation’s strategic vision of ‘Sharing the Spirit of the Game’, Lisa reinforces the Foundation’s brand and reputation within the Rugby community.
On behalf of the Board and the Members, I sincerely thank Lisa for the diligent and enthusiastic service which she continues to provide as the Foundation’s Business Operations Manager.
PROFESSIONAL SUPPORT
The Board is grateful to Chris Allen and his audit team at Boroughs Assurance for providing the level of professionalism and experience which so essentially supports the future objectives and activities of the Foundation.
The Board also thanks Denis Cheetham for discharging his duties as the Foundation’s independent accountant with the level of integrity, business acumen, and efficiency which is crucial to the day-to-day operations of the Foundation.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The Annual General Meeting and the Annual Luncheon which follows it are the culmination of another successful year for the Foundation, an outcome which is primarily due to the immense contribution which the Foundation’s Board of Directors have made during the past twelve months.
On behalf of all Members of the Foundation, I express my utmost admiration and gratitude for the diligence, loyalty, passion, and professionalism which our Deputy Chair Peter Whittington, our Treasurer Stirling Mortlock, and all other Directors continue to exhibit in fulfilling their roles as Directors of the Foundation.
FOUNDATION MEMBERS
Finally, I again express the Board’s gratitude to all Members for your ongoing support of the Board’s strategic initiatives, your continuing loyalty to this Foundation and to Rugby in general, and your invaluable contribution to fulfilling the Foundation’s mission of ‘Sharing the Spirit of the Game.’