Gold Coast rugby chairman fears for survival of rugby amid TV rights drama

“The impact is quite large – we are talking about the survival of the game from a financial point of view. There is no doubt the end user will be impacted, it’s to what degree.”

Gold Coast rugby chairman Kim Bending fears uncertainty surrounding rugby union’s television rights deal could threaten the survival of the code in Australia.

Fox Sports Australia have walked away from the negotiating table after an offer of $50 million per season for the next five years was ignored by Rugby Australia.

Rugby Australia will take a ‘whole of rugby’ package to the open market but the risk is real that other broadcasters may offer a lower figure.

New Gold Coast rugby union chairman Kim Bending. Picture: Jerad Williams

If fewer broadcasting dollars are hitting the coffers, Rugby Australia will need to levy the rugby playing population to make up for the shortfall.

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Chairman Bending says doing so would threaten the sport’s survival in Australia.

“Each participant already contributes to funding rugby in Australia,” Bending said.

“There is no doubt the end user will be impacted, it’s to what degree.

“The impact is quite large – we are talking about the survival of the game from a financial point of view.

“If you take Country Queensland our players are mostly blue collar.

“(Cost to play) can impact areas like ours or elsewhere quite quickly and dramatically.”

Junior rugby players on the coast already pay between $220 and $350 to play from ages 13 to 17 while senior fees are even greater.

Existing Rugby Australia levies, including for insurance, Queensland Rugby Union, Gold Coast District Rugby Union and club fees are the primary contributors to the high cost to play.

If prices rise any higher rugby will lose players to cheaper sports to play.

New Gold Coast rugby union chairman Kim Bending. Picture: Jerad Williams

Bond University rugby manager Luca Liussi said clubs in the region needed to trust that Rugby Australia had their best interest at heart as negotiations continue.

“Through discussion with Queensland Rugby Union I’m confident what they together with Rugby Australia is in line with a bigger picture,” he said.

“We have to think bigger than (our competition), it’s rugby in our country.

“Whatever QRU are supporting with RA is the only way to go forward.

“We have to be united and stick together as a sport.”

Channel 10 and Optus are among the broadcasters reported to be interested in purchasing rights to Wallabies tests, the Super Rugby competition and Brisbane and Sydney club rugby.