RFU needs to strike the right financial balance

EARLIER this week, the RFU president Nigel Gillingham, sent out a newsletter outlining many of the current problems facing the game in England and what the RFU are attempting to do to put it right.

- JEFF PROBYN

With a new Professional Game Agreement currently being negotiated while recognising the number of the issues facing the professional club game and particularly financial sustainability, it appears there is an understanding that it needs a new approach with a ‘strategic partnership’ rather than transactional arrangement of the current and past PGA.

As a result, a joint vision is being developed which will be “world beating England teams and thriving professional leagues delivered through a fully optimised system in partnership with the players”.

This vision will happen if the following objectives can be achieved: “World beating English teams in the Six Nations, Rugby World Cup, Champions Cup and club World Cup success; thriving professional leagues with the best English and international talent, a fully optimised system with a true partnership between union, clubs and players that is financially sustainable, with strong governance, minimised conflicts and meaningful investment; and a player partnership developing the strongest pool of healthy players supported by world leading systems and coaching.”

I must admit that I would have thought that much of this has always been the RFU’s objective, as winning competitions has always been what the game is about and what has provided the money to be invested in the growth and stability of the game at all levels and not just professional.