Australia
War erupts over Aussie funding overhaul
ESPN Staff
December 22, 2014
ARU chief Bill Pulver (L) continues to feel the heat for his funding overhaul © Getty Images
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The ARU and the New South Wales Rugby Unions are at loggerheads over the national body's controversial funding plans.

As first revealed by ESPN last month, the ARU has unveiled new registration levies for clubs and players in a bid to rescue the code's dire financial position. The levies haven't been well received by the rugby community, with Greg Growden reporting last week exclusively for ESPN that the NSW Suburban Union had fired off an angry letter to the ARU, labelling the levies a "disgrace".

But the ARU has fired back at the resistance and, according to News Corp, handed NSW Rugby a deadline of New Year's Eve to sign off on the funding proposal or risk losing more than $A1 million.

"I am absolutely shocked and outraged we are being blackmailed by the body that is supposed to be running rugby union in Australia," a senior NSW source told News Corp. "This can't be seen as anything other than blackmail, and when you consider that money is for grassroots development, it's even more outrageous."

The controversial funding overhaul will see junior players hit with a $33.50 insurance fee while seniors will be slugged with a $93 payment. Clubs believe the increase could severely impact the code's playing numbers and are concerned about the cost of insurance premiums themselves, which could rise by as much as $15,000.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

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