Research supports move to National Competition

Prior to this week's three-day Rugby Workshop on a National Competition, the ARU and State Unions conducted extensive quantitative research to gain a full understanding of the opinions and preferences of:

• Contracted players
• Non-contracted players
• Premier Club administrators
• Rugby fans

Below is a snapshot of some of the key findings.

CONTRACTED PLAYERS SURVEY 

Sample = 114 contracted players

• 77% of contracted players believe Premier Rugby players need more experience at a higher level before they can play Super 14 rugby
  
• 73% of contracted players believe Premier Rugby players do not have adequate physical and skill levels to play Super 14 rugby
  
• 88% of contracted players believe an extra level of competition is needed between Super 14 and Premier Rugby

NON-CONTRACTED PLAYERS SURVEY 

Sample = 130 non-contracted players:

• The motivations of the players to player Premier Rugby are:
  • As a step in their development to professional level (46%)
  • For pleasure/enjoyment (26%)
  • Personal aspirations to play to best of ability, but not professionally (21%)
    
• 80% of players believe that rugby needs a level between Super 14 & Club
  
• 70% of Premier Rugby players are extremely interested in playing in a new tier of competition; another 21% are interested

PREMIER CLUB ADMINISTRATORS SURVEY

Sample = 16 administrators responded

• 91% of Sydney Club administrators believe Rugby would benefit from a larger pool of more experienced players
  
• 50% agree that we need an extra level of competition between Super 14 & Premier  (the  another 40% are neutral on this point ) 
  
• 73% of NSW Club administrators believe the NPC provides a higher level of competition than Premier Rugby, and 54% believe this for the Currie Cup

FANS

Sample = 331 respondents

·        89% of fans surveyed believe the Wallabies and S14 teams will benefit from a larger pool of players with more experience at a higher level

·        63% of fans surveyed believe an extra level of competition is needed between Super 14 and Premier Rugby

·        69% believe the NPC provides a higher level of competition for players than Premier Rugby in Australia, and 50% believe the Currie Cup is similarly stronger

·        66% of fans think that a third tier of competition should be introduced in Australia