Rugby players in New Zealand are due to get a big pay increase after a new Collective Employment Agreement was signed between the major associations today.
New Zealand Rugby hopes to keep the top-performing Super Rugby talent by offering pay increases.
Super Rugby teams can contract up to 32 players, and the maximum retainer is now $195,000. The minimum retainer is now $75,000, and teams can then select an additional six players from the Wider Training Group on retainers of up to $50,000.
New Zealand Rugby will provide retainer payments to certain players on top of their Super Rugby retainer payments. Those players will be top-level All Blacks, including captain Kieran Read and Beauden Barrett, among others.
Education & Welfare Features Heavily In New Agreement
Education and welfare is a big focus of the agreement. There will be increased funding aimed at assisting players and their families through premature career ending injuries or illness.
Player education is also a major focus. There will be a compulsory induction programme requiring respect modules and inclusiveness modules, player conduct, mental health and wellness, anti-doping, and also, corruption.
New Zealand Rugby Terms of the Deal
The deal, signed between New Zealand Rugby and the New Zealand Rugby Players Association, is a result of substantial negotiations. Some highlights of the new Collective Employment Agreement include:
• a revenue sharing model maintained with 36.56% of NZR player generated revenue, equating to $191m (up from $121m) over three years due to anticipated increased revenue from the Lions Series, being set aside to allow for an increased investment in player payments, education and welfare initiatives payment increases for all contracted players;
• increased contracting budgets for Super Rugby clubs.
• the introduction of an illicit drug education and awareness programme, designed to support player health and well-being;
• a compulsory induction programme requiring players to undergo a number of modules including respect and inclusiveness, player conduct, mental health and wellness, anti-doping, wagering and corruption and concussion management;
• Full compensation to Provincial Unions for unavailability of All Blacks;
• expansion of the player personal development programme;
• Increased funding for the NZRPA Benevolent and Welfare Fund aimed at assisting Players and their families through premature career ending injuries or illness and during times of hardship.
End of season functions were also covered in the new agreement, as is the use of all social media platforms. The agreement is effective immediately and expires on 31st December 2018, less than a year before the next Rugby World Cup in Tokyo.
INFOGRAPHIC | Take a look at the All Blacks Year in numbers. REPORT: https://t.co/hdRUNhzpCI #TeamAllBlacks pic.twitter.com/ZBR6xxZIEj
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) December 11, 2016
New Zealand Rugby CEO Steve Tew has been under fire this year, for a number of reasons. However, Tew says that the new agreement demonstrates strong emphasis on investing in the futures of players.
Our partnership with players continues to be a critical factor in the success of New Zealand Rugby at all levels of the game. We can’t compete globally purely on money, so the difference for us has to be the environment on offer and the strength of of the support we give to players.
Tew didn’t comment on the compulsory modules that players have to sit surrounding respect or the proposed crackdowns on end of season parties. New Zealand Rugby is now on Summer leave, and can celebrate another hugely successful season.
“Main photo credit”
