FIRST EVER AUSTRALIAN SCHOOLS RUGBY NATIONAL FORUM

On Tuesday 23^rd October eighty representatives from schools, school associations, state schools rugby unions and senior rugby unions gathered with representatives of the Australian Schools Rugby Union (ASRU) for a “first ever’ National open forum.

This was held at St Leo’s College, within the University of Queensland, to provide an opportunity for open discussion, learning, questioning and suggestions about the operation of schools rugby and its connections with senior rugby.

Amongst the topics covered were-

--Aims and purposes of the Australian Schools Rugby Union

--Strategic planning

--Planning and dates for the National Championships

--Dates for Australian Schoolboys Tests and Tours

--Communication with schools

--Relations with senior rugby

--Operation of Rugby Talent Squads (especially the junior Gold Programme) as it affects boys in schools

--Resources and programmes for schools and teachers, such as SmartRugby, Coaching Development programmes ,etc

Working groups will be formed to carry forward the discussions, ideas, possible solutions to problems and issues.

The Australian Schools Rugby Union will consider a report from the Forum at its forthcoming Committee meeting on 3^rd and 4^th November.

Details of progress and reports from the working groups will be provided to all attendees and other relevant people—and will also be published on this web site.