NSW Rugby cuts costs with community sport to suffer

Community rugby union will feel the main affects of these cuts with all development staff across Metropolitan and Country zones being made redundant.

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According to a statement from NSW Country Rugby Union Executive Officer, Stephen O'Brien, 'all of the DO's are currently accessing the federal government's Job-Keeper package and will continue to be able to do so until September.'

In a post on their Facebook, Mid North Coast Rugby described the announcement as a "sad day for Rugby Union."

"Much thanks and appreciation to Tom Davidson who did a remarkable job here on the MNC along with his casuals under very very extreme and difficult circumstances," the post read.

"The real Rugby people and all the volunteers in various roles at all clubs keep the game going.

"This is a very sad day for Rugby Union."

The role of a Development Officer was one where schools were introduced into the sport of Rugby Union through programs and NSW rugby gala days.

Development Officers were also involved in player, coach and referee education as well as talent identification.

The introduction of competitions were also apart of their roles with the Len Diett Shield in the Far North Coast started by North Coast Development Officer, Tom Davidson, last year.

A statement from NSW Rugby explained that:

'NSW Rugby, like the broader sporting industry, has been significantly impacted during the past several months with 70% of the workforce being stood down since 1 April 2020.'

'With funding grants from Rugby Australia reduced and other revenue sources such as grants and sponsorships significantly impacted, NSW Rugby Union has been forced to reduce its workforce by 27%, with 15 full time contract and casual roles to also be affected.

'From the 1 July the vast majority of the workforce will be returning to work at a reduced capacity, to further create cost savings.

'Positions within senior management, high performance and community rugby will be impacted along with a hiring freeze in place while several staff - including the CEO - continue to take pay reductions.'

The affects on grassroots rugby will remain to be seen, however without the benefits of face-to-face training and proper education there may be a reluctance in peoples desire to volunteer for coaching and refereeing or in committee and executive roles.

One Facebook user likened the news to harvesting a crop.

"When it comes to professional rugby (they should have) tried everything they could to preserve community rugby, I will use a vegetable farmers analogy, 'all good and fine to have a crop to harvest but you need to nurture your seedlings for the next crop or your prosperity is short lived.'"

NSW Rugby Union CEO, Paul Doorn, stated that the organisation will be looking at ways to ensure the community and their clubs are well supported.

"We will be working closely with the NSW Government to look at funding available through the Community Sport Recovery program as well as support clubs to ensure they can access the short term funding on offer as well as support families to take up the Active Kids program as community rugby returns," he said.