Wayne Smith's article in the Australian (8th July,2009)

You may have read Wayne Smith's article in today's edition of The Australian.  A good deal of Smith's article is devoted to summarising the views of Moorabbin President, Steve Curnow, who opines that 'Victorian rugby is in a shambles'; that our union has 'become the laughing stock of Australian rugby'; and that a 'Super XV team based in Melbourne will be injurious to Victorian rugby'.  Curnow had also earlier circulated a resolution calling for a Special General Meeting of the Union to depose Gary Gray, the President of the Victorian Rugby Union (VRU).

Last Friday evening, nineteen presidents representing the vast majority of Victorian clubs convened at our clubrooms to discuss various issues raised in an email written by Steve Curnow.  Curnow elected not to attend this meeting.  At Friday's meeting, Gary Gray's leadership was given overwhelming endorsement with eighteen presidents voting in support of Gray's leadership.  There was one abstention.  This afternoon, I rang Wayne Smith to tell him that, in my view, Steve Curnow's views are in no way representative of the broader rugby community in Melbourne.  I have also 'phoned Steve Curnow to express my concern at his actions.  He has not, as yet, returned my call.

In my view there is much to celebrate in Victorian Rugby Union. In this, the centenary of the foundation of the VRU, it is interesting to reflect on successes which include:

• Producing over twenty Wallabies
• Victories against New South Wales, Queensland and the A.C.T.
• Eight Victorians currently playing in Super 14 teams
• The growth in participation to over 10,000 registered rugby players in the state with strong involvement at schoolboy level and a senior competition of over twenty clubs within three divisions
• The Victorian U18 Schoolboys side winning the Division II schools championship held in Geelong defeating arch rivals Western Australia for the second year running. Nine players were selected to higher representative honours (four of them Harlequins)
• the Axemen team recording good wins against South Australia and the Australian Combined Services
• A strong on-going relationship with the Victorian State Government
• The establishment of a new home for Victorian Rugby at the Rectangular Stadium being built in the world's foremost sporting precinct
• International game success. Over the last twelve years, Victoria has played host to many successful international rugby games including the 2001 Lions Tour, the 2003 Rugby World Cup and three Bledisloe Cups with attendance levels averaging 85,000 per game for the Bledisloe
• Outstanding potential for tapping into corporate sponsorship as evidenced by the ongoing success of the Weary Dunlop lunches. Not only have the games been well supported but the associated corporate functions have been a great success such as the Weary Dunlop lunch in 2007 which was attended by over 1,400 rugby aficionados.

It is clear that a Super XV side based in Melbourne would be a boon for Victorian rugby. As spectators, we would have access to first class rugby on a regular basis. Further, our talented young players will be able to aspire to play for a professional outfit. A couple of our Under 18 players selected to represent the Combined States in the Australian Schoolboys Championships this week are being courted by the Brumbies and the Waratahs. This need not happen if we were to have a Super XV team. The experience of the Melbourne Rebels side in 2007 showed that top level players and coaches will come to Melbourne if opportunities exist. The prospect of a Super XV team based in Melbourne represents a massive opportunity for the local rugby community.

I strongly feel that we, at Harlequins, should support Gary Gray and his Board in their endeavours to bring a Super XV team to Melbourne. His agency has directly led to the establishment of a very strong relationship with the State Government and to gaining access to the soon to be completed Rectangular Stadium.

There are two ways this could be practically accomplished. The first is by emailing a message of support to Gary Gray (gary@sportmc.com.au). The second is by contacting Tony Barnes to learn how the VRU's marketing of the Super XV bid can be assisted. Tony can be contacted at barnesah@netspace.net.au.

I would be very happy to have a yarn about this matter with you on the sidelines this Saturday as our teams go about the business of sticking it to Melbourne.

Yours in Rugby
Neil Carter