New Zealand Rugby Union Claims Record Income
A record income, significant achievements on the field, and the undertaking of several important projects were the highlights of the 2003 year for the New Zealand Rugby Union.
The 2003 Annual Report was released today by NZRU Chairman Jock Hobbs, with the Chairman saying there was a lot to be proud of, despite the All Blacks not winning the Rugby World Cup.
'It is not possible to look back over 2003 without immediately acknowledging the shadow that was cast over the year because we did not win the Rugby World Cup. This was a disappointment for everybody and none more so than for the All Blacks management and team.
'But to solely judge the performance of New Zealand rugby on one 80-minute match of rugby would be too harsh and would ignore the many on and off the field achievements by New Zealand rugby in 2003,' he said.
Mr Hobbs said the NZRU’s income for the year ended 31 December 2003 was a record $93.6 million, up from $91.2 million in 2002.
'Of this we returned $11.8 million directly to provincial unions. This included $7.9 million in direct general financial distributions, $1.1 million in professional coach payments, $900,000 in referee education officer grants, $600,000 in non-Rebel Sport Super 12 division one payments, and $1.3 million in minimum player payments for non-Rebel Sport Super 12 players.
In addition, $11.1m ($9.8m in 2002) went into the NZRU reserves, which at year-end stood at $37.2m ($26.1m).
On the playing field the All Blacks won the Philips Tri-Nations Series and the Bledisloe Cup, the New Zealand Sevens team were crowned World Champions for the fourth year in a row, New Zealand Maori and the Black Ferns had significant victories, New Zealand Under 21 won the World Championship and New Zealand Under 19 were close runners-up in their World Championship final. The New Zealand Divisional XV also played two hard-fought matches.
The Blues won the xtra Super 12 competition with three New Zealand teams playing in the semifinals and the Air New Zealand NPC was a success yet again, while the Lion Foundation Cup continued to increase in stature.
Jock Hobbs said the Board had agreed six priorities for 2004:
finalise the Community Rugby Plan and implement budgeted initiatives;
initiate and significantly advance broadcast contract negotiations;
plan the implementation of the Competitions Review;
improve player management including renegotiation of the collective agreements;
undertake modelling and analysis of potential revenue opportunities;
and consequently ensure the All Blacks are a winning team.
He said the Community Rugby Plan was one of the most important projects of the year with $1.8 million dollars budgeted for new initiatives this year.
'Together with our principal partner adidas, we want to make rugby the game of choice for children; we are aiming to retain teenage players in the game, improve club health and develop a plan for Greater Auckland.
A comprehensive marketing campaign was launched earlier this year encouraging under 13-year-olds to sign up for rugby and this week provincial unions will be taking delivery of a new easy, fun game for kids called Rippa Rugby. These kits complete with instructional videos will be distributed to 1500 primary schools over the coming weeks.
'We believe the key to ensuring rugby in New Zealand is healthy, strong, vibrant and enduring, lies within community rugby, principally in clubs and schools,' Mr Hobbs said.
Mr Hobbs said the NZRU was undertaking further consultation with provincial unions and other stakeholders on the Competitions Review.
'One thing on which we all agree is the aim of the Review – which is to ensure that New Zealand’s rugby competitions provide the best possible platform for sustaining a winning All Blacks team and maintaining rugby as a game accessible and attractive to all New Zealanders.
'There is still a lot of work to do and consultation is still underway and we need to work together to reach the desired outcomes,' he said.
Jock Hobbs said the NZRU’s 2003 Balanced Scoreboard – which the organisation uses to measure its performance – was pleasing. He said the NZRU had lifted its overall performance significantly from a rating of 47.5 percent in 2002 to 63 percent in 2003.
For more information contact:
Joe Locke, NZRU Media Manager
Ph: 04 494 0778 or 027 441 8461
The 2003 Annual Report was released today by NZRU Chairman Jock Hobbs, with the Chairman saying there was a lot to be proud of, despite the All Blacks not winning the Rugby World Cup.
'It is not possible to look back over 2003 without immediately acknowledging the shadow that was cast over the year because we did not win the Rugby World Cup. This was a disappointment for everybody and none more so than for the All Blacks management and team.
'But to solely judge the performance of New Zealand rugby on one 80-minute match of rugby would be too harsh and would ignore the many on and off the field achievements by New Zealand rugby in 2003,' he said.
Mr Hobbs said the NZRU’s income for the year ended 31 December 2003 was a record $93.6 million, up from $91.2 million in 2002.
'Of this we returned $11.8 million directly to provincial unions. This included $7.9 million in direct general financial distributions, $1.1 million in professional coach payments, $900,000 in referee education officer grants, $600,000 in non-Rebel Sport Super 12 division one payments, and $1.3 million in minimum player payments for non-Rebel Sport Super 12 players.
In addition, $11.1m ($9.8m in 2002) went into the NZRU reserves, which at year-end stood at $37.2m ($26.1m).
On the playing field the All Blacks won the Philips Tri-Nations Series and the Bledisloe Cup, the New Zealand Sevens team were crowned World Champions for the fourth year in a row, New Zealand Maori and the Black Ferns had significant victories, New Zealand Under 21 won the World Championship and New Zealand Under 19 were close runners-up in their World Championship final. The New Zealand Divisional XV also played two hard-fought matches.
The Blues won the xtra Super 12 competition with three New Zealand teams playing in the semifinals and the Air New Zealand NPC was a success yet again, while the Lion Foundation Cup continued to increase in stature.
Jock Hobbs said the Board had agreed six priorities for 2004:
He said the Community Rugby Plan was one of the most important projects of the year with $1.8 million dollars budgeted for new initiatives this year.
'Together with our principal partner adidas, we want to make rugby the game of choice for children; we are aiming to retain teenage players in the game, improve club health and develop a plan for Greater Auckland.
A comprehensive marketing campaign was launched earlier this year encouraging under 13-year-olds to sign up for rugby and this week provincial unions will be taking delivery of a new easy, fun game for kids called Rippa Rugby. These kits complete with instructional videos will be distributed to 1500 primary schools over the coming weeks.
'We believe the key to ensuring rugby in New Zealand is healthy, strong, vibrant and enduring, lies within community rugby, principally in clubs and schools,' Mr Hobbs said.
Mr Hobbs said the NZRU was undertaking further consultation with provincial unions and other stakeholders on the Competitions Review.
'One thing on which we all agree is the aim of the Review – which is to ensure that New Zealand’s rugby competitions provide the best possible platform for sustaining a winning All Blacks team and maintaining rugby as a game accessible and attractive to all New Zealanders.
'There is still a lot of work to do and consultation is still underway and we need to work together to reach the desired outcomes,' he said.
Jock Hobbs said the NZRU’s 2003 Balanced Scoreboard – which the organisation uses to measure its performance – was pleasing. He said the NZRU had lifted its overall performance significantly from a rating of 47.5 percent in 2002 to 63 percent in 2003.
For more information contact:
Joe Locke, NZRU Media Manager
Ph: 04 494 0778 or 027 441 8461