The NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) Board met late last week, going through several important agenda items from across the business.
The below items outline in further detail some of the key matters discussed at the meeting.
CEO Update: COVID-19
NSWRU CEO, Paul Doorn updated the Board on how the organisation was responding to the challenges presented by COVID-19.
Updates were provided around the workforce management strategy, the current organisational structure and the way the administration will operate during this period.
The status of Super Rugby in 2020 was also discussed, amidst government-imposed travel restrictions and advice from the relevant health authorities on social distancing and isolation.
Potential competitions structures developed in RA & SANZAAR planning meetings were presented, with modelling options completely dependent on changes in current health advice.
The organisation’s current financial position and the measures taken to address the impacts of COVID-19 were also outlined, as NSWRU take action to initially survive this crisis and emerges on the other side – playing a crucial role in the nation’s social and economic recovery.
Centre of Excellence
In late-2018, NSWRU announced a $20 million grant from the State government for a new Centre of Excellence (CoE) that will not only be headquarters for the NSW Waratahs, but a central ‘hub’ for all community rugby across the state.
The project management team has continued their planning work and detailed design ahead of the submission of a Development Application for assessment mid-year.
Planning for the CoE is progressing well. A critical next step is to determine the final location of the facility within the UNSW David Phillips Spots Complex. The two options include the location fronting Banks Avenue or the alternate site adjacent to Cook Ave. Strategically, the Board wants to ensure the final location will best meet the requirements of the organisation and deliver on the strategic objectives of NSWRU and UNSW.
It’s not expected that selecting either location will have a significant impact on cost or existing project timelines.
The CoE will service rugby around NSW, becoming a central ‘hub’ for the game at all levels – with everything from state-of-the-art training facilities to function spaces, meeting areas and shared offices.
Community rugby update
Rugby Australia and its State and Territory Member Unions made the collective decision in early-April to further postpone community rugby across the country until at least 1 June. However, this is likely to extend until at least 1 July in NSW given government-imposed social distancing measures.
NSWRU is respectful of these measures and will work with NSW Health and the government to ensure we’re adhering to the necessary regulations during this pandemic and any return to play later in 2020.
Protocols have also been developed for COVID-19 with a Graduated Return to Play Program to be made available for all players following isolation. The program will ensure suitable training and conditioning is undertaken to avoid injuries as competition resumes.
The Board discussed the importance of local government enabling winter sports to access fields for a period later than is normally the case. It’s hoped that a cooperative approach between Local Government Authorities, summer sports and winter sports will enable competitions to extend beyond previously agreed season lengths.
Meeting details:
Date: Wednesday 15 April
Location: Remotely via video conference
In attendance: Mr Roger Davis (Chairman), Mr Paul Doorn (CEO), Mr Mark Green (Company Secretary), Ms Kerry Chikarovski, Mr Ben Gregory, Mr Phillip Parsons, Mr Barry Ruddy, Mr John Morrison, Mr David Harrison, Mr Al Baxter, Mr Tony Crawford, Mrs Katrina Rathie
Apologies: Mr Warwick Negus
