Australian rugby’s professional arm and pathway structure is currently at a very important crossroad. With decisions looming we will soon know what the rugby landscape looks like moving forward. In all these considerations it is critically important that the quality of our game is at the highest level to ensure higher TV viewership and the best chance to secure a TV deal that will ensure the financial security of our game at all levels.
Historically, Australian rugby has produced high quality players, coaches and referees. The success of Australian Rugby has been largely generated by both NSW and Queensland while recognising contributions from our smaller member unions.
Over the years Queensland rugby has been ably served by approximately 20 schools and 75 clubs who have collectively created a legacy for the game. Like NSW, Queensland is a “heartland” for the game. The figures do not lie. Queensland produces approximately 40% of all Wallabies and a similar level of the current contracted professional players within Australian Rugby. What is not evident in these statistics is the quality of player being produced and how they compare with current opposition standards and past eras.
In the mid 90’s Queensland Rugby was arguably at its most robust. At this point seasoned veterans had retired some were signed by other professional organisations including the; ACT Brumbies; NSW Waratahs; NRL; English Premiership and even Japan. Yet despite players leaving, Queensland rugby remained strong. The Queensland system at its height could produce several layers of high quality provincial standard players at any given time. It is important that we use this not as a point to reminisce but as a marker to denote what is possible for our future. Today those same structures in Queensland rugby continue to exist. There is a great need for them to be nurtured and harnessed knowing historically what they have been capable of.
This compelling evidence of achievements through the years gives us confidence and reason to invest in skill development of our players within these structures. This ensures the quality and standard of our game continues to improve. The coaching of our young player needs to be on point and purposeful so that when they graduate to senior and professional ranks coaches can utilise both fundamental and unique skill sets these players have developed.
In Queensland, C2K academy has been operating for the last five years, with a focus on the fundamentals of the game. C2K is a group of past professional players (mostly former International and Reds players) who provide a series of Position Specific Skill (free) sessions for eligible teenage rugby players. We provide an enhanced learning environment facilitated by experienced mentors unequalled in Australia. Our mission is to increase skill levels of our best young talent during their most important developmental teenage years. The past players themselves have a wide range of skill sets that they have developed over their careers. Just as importantly they are passionate in showcasing their own unique skill sets and sharing the knowledge they have developed over the years with these future stars of the game
Our C2K aim is to:
· Increase and fast track the skill levels of our best emerging teenage players
· Prepare players for post school rugby
C2K taps into the one of the most valuable resources in the game, that is; past players who are willing to share their knowledge so that clubs and PRO teams continue getting a better standard of player. Over the last five years we have observed a huge appetite for rugby amongst our teenage players.
The science tells us the teenage years are crucial for skill development. Rugby is a complex game and at C2K we see the need to raise the skill levels of all our players. This is done through thoughtfully devised, progressive position specific skills sessions, that are delivered regularly to ensure our players are adeptly skilled to play the game at higher levels post school. This we hope will continue a quality production line of players for the game.
Whatever our future, the pathways and structures for elite junior development are vital to the success of Rugby Australia and the professional provincial teams within Australia. These organisations must consider where the players are coming from and how this will produce the best quality of Rugby for Australia. Equally it is imperative they continue to invest in our young talent so we can maintain our rich heritage in producing players of the highest quality.