Hope Mashozhera’s Post

A brand new £3m funding initiative is set to improve the development of coaches and players from the British Isles ahead of The British & Irish Lions Women’s first ever tour in 2027. The ‘Levelling the Playing Field’ funding from Royal London, founding partner of the Lions Women’s team, is set to be deployed in customised plans for each union, tailored to meet their specific needs. The plan for Scottish Rugby is to appoint two ‘Performance Pipeline’ coached, along with expanding youth camps and training matches to boost the development of the players. Additionally, they will host residential camps for a national academy. The WRU - Welsh Rugby Union is going to bolster its women’s pathway coaching team with the addition of five new members, including a specialist skills coach and a performance pathway coach. They will also put resources into talent identification programmes and initiatives aimed at Welsh qualified talent based out of the nation. Irish Rugby Football Union (IRFU) has allocated the funding to host supplementary camps and training matches for women’s under-18 and under-20 teams, aimed at accelerating player development. Alongside establishing a ‘Coach Accelerator Scholarship Program’ and collaborating with universities to identify future talent. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) are going to use the grant to enhance England Rugby’s existing player development groups, which will help increase the targeted skill development for players progressing through the pathway. Ben Calveley, The British and Irish Lions CEO, said: “Supporting the growth of the women’s game is a key strategic priority for the British and Irish Lions as it is for each of our constituent unions.” “Royal London’s ‘Levelling the Playing Field’ grant represents a significant investment into the women’s game in the four unions and will make a positive impact on women’s rugby.” #investment #rugby #rugbyunion #lions #britishandirishlions #rfu #wru #irfu #scottishrugby #womensrugby

🏉 Exciting times ahead for NZ Rugby as the board plans to transfer power to a new independent group! But wait, why are people so grumpy about it? 🧐 Let's explore and make a bold prediction about the future of rugby in New Zealand. 🔮 Prediction: 1. The move to a more independent governance structure will bring fresh perspectives and innovative ideas to NZ Rugby, ultimately strengthening the organization. 2. Within the next two years, we can expect to see greater transparency, accountability, and strategic decision-making that will propel New Zealand's rugby to new heights on the global stage. 🏉 Commentary: 1. Change is never easy, especially in a sport as beloved and traditional as rugby. However, embracing this evolution is essential for the long-term sustainability and success of NZ Rugby. 2. By transitioning to an independent group, NZ Rugby signals a commitment to adaptability and progress, aligning with the dynamic nature of modern sports governance. 🔮 Bold Predictions: 1. Expect to see enhanced inclusion and diversity initiatives to support the growth of rugby across all communities in New Zealand. 2. The new governance model will likely drive stronger commercial partnerships, leading to increased revenue streams and investments in grassroots rugby development. 🏉 In conclusion, while the road ahead may be met with skepticism and resistance, the transformation of NZ Rugby's governance structure presents a unique opportunity for growth and revitalization in the sport. Let's embrace change and look forward to an exciting future for rugby in New Zealand! 🏆🌟

Regional Rugby in Ireland works because historically Ireland has been devided regionally. In NZ they have also been historically regional, in Scotland the Highlands and Lowlands etc... In Wales we have always been tribal (one valley will never support another), and as a result regions have never worked. It could be argued we should have gone with the 9 club option. 3 clubs west, 3 east and 3 in the centre. Supporters would have come out of the woodwork to support their valley or city. Arguably the crowds are woeful because people do not identify with the regional sides. Grassroots rugby is also too far removed from the regions. Does someone in Pontypridd identify with Cardiff? Perhaps the WRU need to rethink rugby in Wales or it may continue to decline. 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

Have you read the recent NZ Herald article on the boardroom battle within New Zealand Rugby? 📰🏉 It's not every day that we get a glimpse into the inner workings of such a dynamic and beloved sport, and this article certainly sheds light on the complexities involved in governance decisions. Even the most passionate rugby fan might find the intricacies of boardroom negotiations daunting. Yet, precisely these behind-the-scenes discussions shape the future of the game we all love! Reading about the struggles to find common ground on governance changes, the financial challenges NZR faces, and the underlying culture of distrust, it's clear that the stakes are high. As NZR navigates through the twists and turns of this boardroom saga, it's a reminder of the importance of effective governance in every organisation. Here's to hoping for a resolution that ensures the continued success and sustainability of New Zealand Rugby. 🌟 Thank you for the thought-provoking and insightful article Gregor Paul. #EffectiveGovernance #NZRugby #GovernanceMatters 🏉 Read the article: https://lnkd.in/gatrbygX

Thursday Thought Starter Arnie's right; the Socceroos need a home. Australia’s national men’s football program needs a permanent training base that provides talented footballers and staff the opportunity to thrive and a place for the next generation to develop. Yes, they need dedicated facilities, but we must move past our obsession with standalone ‘Home of' infrastructure for just the professional level of individual sports. It is simply not necessary or financially responsible. I would build the Socceroos National Training Centre in Queensland, at Ballymore. Hear me out..... Ballymore is intended to be transformed into a multi-sport hub and Olympic precinct in the lead-up to Brisbane 2032. The $31.5 million National Rugby Training Centre (NRTC) integrated into the McLean Stand is the best value-for-money high-performance centre I’ve seen in Australia. Check out the walk through ⬇ https://lnkd.in/gY_eWrrk So why not replicate this for the Socceroos as part of the redevelopment of the opposite side of the ground? There is already room for a fourth dedicated football training field behind what would be the new eastern grandstand. Strong multi-use flexibility is the way forward for venues. And before football fans pile on to remind me that "it’s a rugby ground," note that FIFA had no issue with that or field quality when it signed off Ballymore as an FWWC training venue. The best thing is that Brisbane ends up with a contemporary rectangular stadium with a capacity of 10,000 that, with a well-considered Olympic Hockey overlay, will increase to 15,000. For me, that's what legacy planning looks like. Discuss. Pros? Cons? #sportsbiz #infrastructure #legacyplanning

Rugby Manitoba is proud of our Strategic Plan 2022-2027: Building Strong Foundations, which outlines our roadmap to grow, strengthen, and celebrate rugby across the province. What’s in the Plan? 🔹 Mission & Vision: Making rugby the sport of choice for Manitobans of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds. 🔹 Core Values: Respect, camaraderie, tradition, enjoyment, and inclusion. 🔹 Key Pillars: 1️⃣ People: Recruit, retain, and empower coaches, officials, and volunteers. 2️⃣ Programs: Deliver quality rugby experiences, from grassroots to competitive play. 3️⃣ Places: Build vibrant, sustainable rugby communities and improve access across Manitoba. 4️⃣ Promotion: Raise awareness and visibility of rugby through events, partnerships, and campaigns. Highlights: Initiatives to increase participation across all regions and age groups. Expanded pathways for athletes and coaches to achieve excellence. A focus on safety, inclusivity, and meaningful competition. Strengthened partnerships with schools, clubs, and community organizations. We’re committed to fostering a dynamic and inclusive rugby culture where every player, coach, volunteer, and supporter feels valued. 📌 Check out the full plan and join us as we shape the future of rugby in Manitoba! Together, we’ll ensure our game thrives for generations to come. #RugbyManitoba #BuildingStrongFoundations #RugbyForLife

🌍 Bridging Borders: Uniting Across Europe! 🌍 🤝 As the Six Nations rugby games unite nations on the field, they remind us of the power of sports to bring us closer together as competing countries. Today, as Wales 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 faces Italy 🇮🇹, Ireland 🇮🇪 takes on Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿, and France 🇫🇷 challenges England 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿, we witness the essence of sportsmanship and camaraderie. These games are important because they showcase the values of teamwork, resilience, and mutual respect. Just as rugby teams come together to compete fiercely yet respectfully, let's leverage this shared experience to strengthen our relationships across borders. Looking ahead, we’re finding opportunities at Greif to find common ground through other games and sports. Whether it's through a friendly game of pétanque (Mark Renshaw Jack Robinson Lee Parkinson Simon Bailey Tim Burrows Jayne Ward🏳️🌈 Emma Thompson), team-building activities, or virtual competitions, let's continue to foster unity and collaboration beyond the rugby field. Calling on our colleagues Fabien Szymalka Priscilia Aiello Pascal LAURENT Tom Palmer Giulia Occhio Chiara Tosi Ricci Oddi Roy McAdoo Patrick (Paddy) Mullaney let's join forces and embrace this spirit of unity and teamwork! Together, let's draw inspiration from the remainder of the Six Nations Rugby 🏉 to drive positive change and foster innovation! Here's to building stronger bridges across borders! 🌟 #OneTeam #HRCommunity #Teamwork #GlobalHR #EMEAHR #UnitedAcrossEurope 🏉🤝 #GreifUK

State of Rugby in Glasgow's East End: A Muddy Pitch and an Uphill Battle As a volunteer on the committee of our local club in Glasgow's East End, I witness firsthand the passion for the sport, despite being a clear minority in a city obsessed with football. We are the only rugby club in the east of Glasgow, within the city boundary, fostering a true grassroots movement. We build camaraderie and resilience on the pitch, but our biggest challenge isn't tackles or scrums – it's the state of the pitches themselves. Imagine this: you turn up for training, eager to hone your skills, and are greeted by a scene resembling a river. Mud reigns supreme, with puddles the size of small ponds threatening to swallow your boots whole. These aren't just damp patches – we're talking about pitches that resemble a tributary of the nearby Tollcross Burn after a heavy downpour. This is the reality for our club, the only two public rugby pitches available in the East End. And the kicker? They're council-owned, with access granted on a permission basis only. Here's the even more frustrating part. Millions have been recently poured into flood management in nearby areas through the City Region Deal. Yet, our pitches – the very foundation for nurturing future rugby talent – seem to have been completely overlooked and in fact become worse. The same thing has happened at the local Bowling Club too. Glasgow City Council, Scottish Water, SEPA – where's the support for grassroots sports like rugby? Open spaces are meant for recreation, not replicating the murky depths of a river! Basic geography tells you these shouldn't be overflowing with this much water. We're passionate, but we can't fight the tide (literally) on our own. Better player facilities are crucial for our dedicated coaches, volunteers, and most importantly, the future of rugby in Glasgow's East End. **#glasgowrugby #minoritysport #grassrootsstruggles #weneedbetterpitches**

An invaluable few days at Rugby Australia engaging with some quality people. Rugby in Australia is poised for a transformative decade with landmark events on the horizon: the 2025 Lions Tour, the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, and the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup. These events are set to elevate the game both domestically, in the Pacific and globally. Since Rugby Australia’s strategic reset & recharge last year, it is evident that planning and execution towards achieving their goals on and off the field are well underway. The forward-thinking concepts, initiatives, and programs within their performance and community development efforts are world-class. In one of the most competitive sporting landscapes this is a significant undertaking by one of our key Member Unions. With the continued alignment of vital stakeholders and the ongoing support of valued partners, the journey ahead for rugby in Australia and the Pacific looks both exciting and promising. #leadership #partnership #movingthegameforward World Rugby Oceania Rugby

"Good ideas are always crazy until they're not"- Larry Page My heart goes out to all the supporters, volunteers and of course, players and coaches of the Melbourne Rebels, the Board (past and present) who got them in to this mess, not so much. It sounds mad but why don't the Melbourne Rebels field a team in the 2025 Shute Shield? Before you scoff ( I heard it from here) the numbers are not frightening. The cost of travel would be around $500 000 (Assuming 2 Grade Teams and a Colts team - or 1 Grade Team, 1 Women's team and a Colts team). Add to that the cost of running a Shute Shield club (around $1m) and maybe some extras (call it $500 000 to be safe) and you are left with a bill of around $2m . Not a huge number between Victorian Rugby Union, the Victorian Government and Rugby Australia. This number would obviously reduce after Membership, Sponsorship and Gate were collected but even if that revenue amounted to zero - $2.0m to keep a club in Melbourne sounds a fraction of the previous arrangement. The benefits would be a club for Victorian juniors to aspire to (albeit semi professional) there is a Victorian team for fans to congregate around and the games can be played in Stadiums more suited to the size of the crowds. For Stan, there is a reason for Victorian Rugby fans to keep their subscription, it solves RA's issue of providing a team in Victoria and all of us can do something to support Rugby in Victoria. Would the other Shute Shield Clubs go for it? Not sure, the progressive ones would as they should see the benefits to the game, so probably. Liz Radcliffe (President of Victorian Rugby) no doubt has a lot to think about and good on her for taking the role at such a difficult time. No solution is perfect and this idea is a good example of that, however, no fairy god mother is going to appear with the cash required to keep a fully professional Rugby Union team in Victoria. Liz, you will be pleasantly surprised at the number of non Victorian rugby fans willing to put their hand up, myself included, to grow the game. Try it for a year and see what happens - got to be better than the current situation?