In response to 'On principles, strategy, and organization,' an estimable volunteer wrote to ask whether I am in favor of dues and if not, 'where does the money come from to fund growth / development?'
The question takes us to the heart of matter of USARFU's transfer regime.
Dues are the union's primary revenue source, and the largest segment of dues payers are high school and college players. Additionally, students drive the National Guard sponsorship, reportedly a seven-figure deal, as the military service is interested in recruiting. Yet Boulder's primary expenditure is not development programs but 'high performance' (HP) and national teams.
For every dollar USARFU spends on development, it spends three on the 'top of pyramid', according to figures provided to Congress in fall 2009.
Further, development programs generated $219,000 in fees last year, paying for 21 percent of their cost. International matches generate revenue too, but that is a stated purpose of test competition. Development programs are quintessentially an investment, and so user fees reflect one's priorities or penury, or both.
To the original question, for the time being how the money is used is more important than dues' existence. Longer term, the union should pledge to cease relying on student funding, and to revive the goal of offsetting the costs of teams that make sponsors dollars possible, an idea goes back at least to Ian Nixon's time. Then there is the abandoned precedent of requiring the test teams to fund themselves.
Kevin Swiryn returns from injury to captain the USA squad at the New Zealand 7s in Wellington, as do forwards leader Matt Hawkins and Mark Bokhoven. 15s stalwart Paul Emerick and Marco Barnard join the team for the first time this season, which has been disappointing season to date.
The Eagles yesterday wrapped up a training camp in Fiji by releasing footballer Bennie Brazell, 19-year-old Dimitri Efthimiou, and Trevor Richards, prospects whom coach Al Caravelli is 'intent' on naming to a future roster.
The question takes us to the heart of matter of USARFU's transfer regime.
Dues are the union's primary revenue source, and the largest segment of dues payers are high school and college players. Additionally, students drive the National Guard sponsorship, reportedly a seven-figure deal, as the military service is interested in recruiting. Yet Boulder's primary expenditure is not development programs but 'high performance' (HP) and national teams.
For every dollar USARFU spends on development, it spends three on the 'top of pyramid', according to figures provided to Congress in fall 2009.
Further, development programs generated $219,000 in fees last year, paying for 21 percent of their cost. International matches generate revenue too, but that is a stated purpose of test competition. Development programs are quintessentially an investment, and so user fees reflect one's priorities or penury, or both.
To the original question, for the time being how the money is used is more important than dues' existence. Longer term, the union should pledge to cease relying on student funding, and to revive the goal of offsetting the costs of teams that make sponsors dollars possible, an idea goes back at least to Ian Nixon's time. Then there is the abandoned precedent of requiring the test teams to fund themselves.
Kevin Swiryn returns from injury to captain the USA squad at the New Zealand 7s in Wellington, as do forwards leader Matt Hawkins and Mark Bokhoven. 15s stalwart Paul Emerick and Marco Barnard join the team for the first time this season, which has been disappointing season to date.
The Eagles yesterday wrapped up a training camp in Fiji by releasing footballer Bennie Brazell, 19-year-old Dimitri Efthimiou, and Trevor Richards, prospects whom coach Al Caravelli is 'intent' on naming to a future roster.
United States to New Zealand 7s
Marco Barnard (Kutztown Univ.), Mark Bokhoven (Denver Barbarians), Nick Edwards (New York AC), Paul Emerick (Overmach Parma), Matt Hawkins (Belmont Shore), Ata Malifa (Belmont Shore), Valanese Malifa (Belmont Shore), Leonard Peters (Gentlemen of Aspen), Mile Pulu (San Francisco Golden Gate), Shalom Suniula (Pearl City), Kevin Swiryn (capain, Old Puget Sound Beach), Zack Test (Loughborough Univ.)
one for you, one two three for me.
I am going to send my children out to panhandle this weekend. They get to keep a quarter of every dollar they take in. I'm gonna buy a flat screen and some new rims for my hoopty.
Posted by: Pimp Daddy | 01 February 2010 at 17:02
A rugby union run on the dues of college and high school students.
The main product of USAR, is rugby jobs. A good CEO position paying $275k, a good national teams position which pays $250k and another 20 jobs, anywhere from part-time to career with full benefits.
Posted by: LOL | 02 February 2010 at 08:26
How many kids did it take to fly in foreign players and coaches for National team assemblies last year.
How many kids did it take to cover travel and entertainment expenses of our BOD and CEO last year?
Posted by: stealing candy | 02 February 2010 at 09:41