NZRU BOARD MEETING

The New Zealand Rugby Union has today released its 2009 Annual Report at its Annual General Meeting in Wellington.
NZRU Chairman Jock Hobbs said the game faced numerous challenges in 2009, not the least of which was a global economic recession and the impact that had on rugby.
The NZRU’s financial result was impacted by the recession and the need to account for its investment in hosting Rugby World Cup 2011.
As a result, the NZRU was forced to make some tough decisions in 2009 many of which were not popular and Mr Hobbs said in making those decisions, the NZRU always did so with due consideration for the impacts that such decisions might have.
"This included the decisions to not have a New Zealand Maori programme or a Men’s B competition in 2009 and the extensive consideration at Provincial Union’s request of the future shape of the domestic competitions, all of which generated debate and criticism."
Creating Certainty
Mr Hobbs said the NZRU worked strenuously during 2009 on a large number of major projects which, collectively, had the potential to establish certainty and sustainability for the game over the next three to five years.
These major tasks, which involved lengthy, complex, and demanding negotiations, have put the game on a strong and stable footing for the future.
They include:
The NZRU, as part of the SANZAR Joint Venture, agreeing to extend the Super Rugby competition format from 2011 and to extend a conditional invitation to Argentina to join the Investec Tri Nations from 2012 to create a new "Four Nations" Championship.
As a result, the NZRU with SANZAR was able to present new and invigorated competitions in the negotiations with potential broadcast partners ahead of the end of the current agreement which ends in 2010. A heads of agreements were reached in late 2009 and completed agreements across SANZAR have now been signed by all parties. The new broadcasting arrangements deliver increased revenues from 2011 onwards for all three SANZAR countries which generates vital funds for reinvestment in all levels of rugby.
Important decisions were also made regarding the future of domestic provincial competitions. A 14-team competition has been retained for 2010, with reduced costs and with an amended structure for 2011 onwards with the Heartland Championship to remain in its current format.
Agreement on settlement terms was reached between the NZRU and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association (NZRPA) for a new Collective Employment Agreement which gives players and unions certainty around the costs and structures of professional rugby for the next three years and one that is sustainable and recognises fairly the contribution of our professional players.
"While there was some pain in all of these processes, we believe the certainty created by these decisions will provide strength for the game as it looks to capitalise on the opportunities ahead, notably the hosting of Rugby World Cup 2011," said Mr Hobbs.
Highlights
Mr Hobbs also noted the other highlights and key achievements of 2009:
The numbers of registered players increased for the second consecutive year, growing four percent from 2008 to 2009. This was matched with three percent growth in coaching numbers and twenty-three percent growth in the number of registered volunteers;
The New Zealand Under 20 team won the IRB Junior World Championship and the Junior All Blacks won the IRB Pacific Nations Cup and maintained New Zealand’s unbeaten record in that tournament;
The New Zealand Womens Sevens team made the Final of the inaugural IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai, losing to Australia in extra time;
The Black Ferns won two out of three matches on their tour of England and played an historic first Test at Twickenham;
Three New Zealand sides made the semifinals of the Rebel Sport Super 14 and the Chiefs went on to make the Final, for the first time in the team’s history;
New Zealand maintained a strong presence at the IRB Awards, with Aaron Cruden recognised as the Junior Player of the Year and Richie McCaw winning Player of the Year – the All Blacks captain becoming the first player to win the premier award twice.
The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup for the sixth year in a row. The team also recorded victories over France, Italy, Wales and England and made an effort to engage positively with the community, increasing the number of public events in order to meet as many of their supporters as possible;
The All Blacks Capping programme got under way and significant progress has been made in the initiative to cap more than 400 former All Blacks, with six memorable ceremonies held around the country in 2009;
Members of the rugby community continued to give generously to charities in New Zealand and around the world. The All Blacks and NZRU continued to support their charity partners, KidsCan and Plunket, while members of the rugby community were quick to act when tragedy struck, such as the L’Aquila earthquake in Italy and the Tsunami in Samoa.
Acknowledgments
Mr Hobbs paid tribute to all those involved in supporting, delivering or participating in rugby across New Zealand.
"I would like to say thank you to our many thousands of rugby fans. We do not take the important place that rugby in New Zealand holds or the support of our fans for granted.
"As we experienced in 2009, rugby has been through some testing times and a number of challenges and risks remain. But we also have some incredibly exciting opportunities ahead and we – along, I hope, with all those involved in the game – are determined to make the most of those opportunities for the future of our game and for the benefit of all those who will be involved in rugby in the future."
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