NSW Rugby Union (NSWRU) has finalised it’s 2019 Annual Report at the organisation’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) this evening.
The meeting – conducted via Zoom to adhere to necessary bio-security protocols – was endorsed by the organisation’s Members.
A suite of Financial Reports, Director’s Reports and Auditor’s Reports are included in the 2019 Annual Report – a copy of which can be found here.
Several key items of business were also undertaken as part of the AGM, with Al Baxter appointed President in place of the departing Marty Roebuck while Matt Burke was endorsed for the role of Vice President.
Outgoing Chief Medical Officer, Sharron Flahive was awarded Life Membership following more than 20 years of service with the NSW Waratahs.
NSW Rugby CEO, Paul Doorn said that while the community currently finds itself in testing times it was important to acknowledge the advances the game had made in 2019.
“Given the challenges we’re all facing now it feels like 2019 was a lifetime ago,” Doorn said.
“When you take a minute to reflect and look at what our organisation was able to achieve last year, it gives you great confidence in the strength of our game post-COVID.
“We took a [Vodafone] Super Rugby game to a regional area for the first time, along with three other venues within the Sydney Metropolitan Area and there was a significant amount of progress with the planning and development of our Centre of Excellence.
“Young talent was fostered and developed through our pathway system, reflected in national team selection with more than 20 New South Wales players included in the Australian U18 and U20 sides.
“Our Super W squad were Champions once more and continue their undefeated streak, paving the way for women’s rugby to grow not only in our state, but across the country.”
2019 Highlights:
- Planning is well underway for our Centre of Excellence (CoE), set to be constructed within the David Phillips Sports Complex following the confirmation of a Heads of Agreement between NSWRU and the University of New South Wales.
- Recorded at $215,000 profit at the close of the 2019 calendar year.
- Exceeded participation targets across several key statistical metrics, led by an increase in overall sanctioned games and a small increase in club XVs led by country rugby. Club 7s competitions (2,667) were also up 40%, and participation within our Get into Rugby program (10,276) up 37%
- Participation was facilitated by several state and representative tournaments administered by NSWRU including State 7s Championships and Waratah Cup amongst many others.
- Delivery of education courses and workshops including official referee and coaching courses (1,203) as well as five non-accredited Waratah Coach the Coach sessions and our ongoing support of online accreditation across Smart Rugby, Touch Judge and Coaching Kids Rugby (3,151).
- Securing a new apparel partner in XBlades and also confirmed the return of NESIC, who will now appear on the back of the NSW Waratahs playing kit.
- A total of 10 players were selected in both the Australian U18 and U20 side, as our various age group sides continued to perform strongly on a national stage.
- Our Super W squad were undefeated Champions once more, continuing their dominance of the new national women’s competition. The quality of the program has once again seen NSW feature prominently in the Wallaroos set up.
- Welcomed Professor the Honourable Dame Marie Bashir as the new Patron of NSW Rugby.
