Lane’s Post

A very disappointing day for rugby in Australia. It seems history is set to repeat itself with another Australian Super Rugby Team ceasing to exist. It is naive to think reducing the professional contracting opportunities by 20% will increase depth and competition. The NRL and AFL have 17 and 18 teams respectively, Rugby will have 4. Which code do you think juniors will steer towards? A 1/4 chance or a 1/17 or 1/18, less career opportunities will equal less depth as potential players seek certainty and better odds of making it professional. How could a governing body be ignorant to a franchise operating insolvent for multiple years? I question whether this failure of corporate governance raises more concerns for the future of professional rugby in Australia.

The British & Irish Lions: Roaring Across Rugby History The British & Irish Lions, often simply referred to as the Lions, represent a unique fusion of rugby talent from England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. This storied team embarks on quadrennial tours to face rugby powerhouses like Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa. Let’s delve into the rich history and exciting prospects of the Lions: 1. Origins and Tradition The Lions’ lineage dates back to 1888 when they embarked on their inaugural tour to Australia and New Zealand. The iconic red jersey, adorned with the emblematic lion, symbolizes unity across the four nations. The tradition of selecting the best players from each country ensures fierce competition and camaraderie. 2. Memorable Tours The 1971 tour to New Zealand remains legendary. Under captain Willie John McBride, the Lions secured their only series victory against the All Blacks. The 1997 tour of South Africa, led by Martin Johnson, saw the Lions clinch a thrilling series win. The 2013 tour to Australia showcased the Lions’ attacking prowess, with players like George North leaving indelible marks. 3. Upcoming Challenges The next Lions tour is scheduled for 2025, with Australia as the battleground. Who will don the iconic red jersey? Stars from the 2024 Six Nations, like Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, are in contention. The Lions’ clash with the Wallabies promises exhilarating rugby and fierce battles in the scrum. 4. The Spirit of the Lions Beyond the tries and tackles, the Lions embody sportsmanship, respect, and passion. The haka response, the camaraderie among rivals, and the shared pride in representing four nations make the Lions truly special. Whether you’re a seasoned rugby fan or a newcomer, keep an eye out for the Lions’ roaring journey Down Under in 2025. 🦁🏉 #LionsRugby #RugbyTour #Rugbypassion #Lionspride #SixNations

An invaluable few days at Rugby Australia engaging with some quality people. Rugby in Australia is poised for a transformative decade with landmark events on the horizon: the 2025 Lions Tour, the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, and the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup. These events are set to elevate the game both domestically, in the Pacific and globally. Since Rugby Australia’s strategic reset & recharge last year, it is evident that planning and execution towards achieving their goals on and off the field are well underway. The forward-thinking concepts, initiatives, and programs within their performance and community development efforts are world-class. In one of the most competitive sporting landscapes this is a significant undertaking by one of our key Member Unions. With the continued alignment of vital stakeholders and the ongoing support of valued partners, the journey ahead for rugby in Australia and the Pacific looks both exciting and promising. #leadership #partnership #movingthegameforward World Rugby Oceania Rugby

How Property Development in London Boosted My Rugby Career Discover how my passion for property development in London during the crash helped me excel in rugby. Learn the importance of having a diversified focus and how it can enhance your performance in sports. #PropertyDevelopment #RugbyCareer #LondonProperty #DiversifiedFocus #SportsPerformance #PassionProjects #CareerGrowth #RugbyPlayer #PropertyInvestment #LondonLife

90% of people who completed our survey said that their business held fantasy sport competitions for men's sport but not for the women. Let's change that. The Guinness Women's Six Nations kicks-off THIS weekend and we've been thinking... what's the best way to get people involved and immersed with the tournament this year?   Our answer... we've set up a Six Nations Fantasy Rugby League powered by Energia so YOU can get more invested, learn about the players and invite your friends, family and colleagues to get invovled too! Not to mention there will be weekly prizes to be won which include match tickets and much more!   We do it for men's sport... so why not the women's too? Interestingly enough, we surveyed our audience around the concept of Fantasy Leagues and it was highlighted that the majority of businesses tend to participate in the men's versions of these but very few do the same for the women. In fact - Get involved here: https://lnkd.in/eUH2psRj

#BlowtheWhistle - As the New Zealand Rugby Board, resists the idea of a Pasifika voice at its governance table, should we be asking of ourselves these uncomfortable questions of them and us? Is Rugby, much like other institutions, who have utilised our Pasifika sinews and bones, forged on the moana, as simply a commodity, and as it has seen fit? That Rugby institutions, like other institutions have set parameters around our ability to self-determine what that is, where that is, for who and for how much - muzzling our voice to ultimately benefit just themselves their Unions and TV channels? In fact, one could suggest that rugby, this iconic piece of New Zealand consciousness, is a microcosm of the kind of control and benefit driven by capitalism, and profit that our moana bodies have given from factory floors to rugby fields, and that we have given them like we have done, sadly, with our children’s bodies in State and Faith care - both abused by a system we trusted? We as people of the moana, I also question, have we participated in this, and are we entirely victims in this whole transactional process? Why do we readily give up our sons and daughters to sport, to schools, communities, workplaces and faith communities that at times do not give them the opportunity to grow and build and move on or up as they see fit and determine? And for the few that do succeed, we hear of them, we hold them up, we celebrate them, and so we should. But if our aspirations, especially of that initial migrant moana community, were so this very small, tiny piece of us would know and understand success - then maybe we need to ask ourselves, as to whether that is a true collective measure of success? And finally, the institution of NZ Rugby demonstrates what it actually believes about our bodies, our sons, our daughters and our many years and levels of contribution to the sport of Rugby. When it closes the door on our voice and does not allow our seat at the Rugby governance table...Have we not earned it..because we don't want to just be on the field and wall...we also want to be at the table? #PacificGovernance #PacificVoices #PacificPlayers #ManaseToa

The Rapids of todays reality means we are each dealing with pressure — every day. Maybe it’s not hitting the sales target- failing to get the business case across the line— losing your job in a restructure — being the one everyone relies on to say won’t others won’t -or- do well what others can’t — maybe it’s managing your emotions arriving home after a shit day on shift - perhaps not getting enough sleep from worrying about the change rumours at work … You get the picture … because you are living it. Just like these two champions of their craft - we all can be knocked off our personal center -and- we can also learn the skills to reduce its occurrence -- frequency and impact. … if you want to learn the exact skills of how to perform under pressure — your pressures that sometimes distract you from being your best … then give us call to see how we can make that happen for you. #red2blue

🏉 Exciting 6 Nations Round 4 Predictions from IMEX MD, Martin Butterworth! 🌟 As the rugby fever sweeps across, our MD, Martin Butterworth, shares his insights on this weekend's clashes: 🇮🇹 Italy vs. Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 England vs. Ireland 🇮🇪 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 Wales vs. France 🇫🇷 What are your predictions? Share your thoughts below and let the rugby banter begin! 🏉🗣️ #6Nations #RugbyPredictions #IMEXInsights #RugbyBanter

According to website Rugby365, the sale of Newlands Rugby Stadium - to an undisclosed buyer - was voted on, and approved, at a recent Western Province Rugby Football Union council meeting. Following the move of Western Province Rugby’s professional teams to DHL Stadium in early 2022, Newlands Rugby has ceased to be a rugby venue. When Western Province Rugby was placed under administration by SARU in October 2021, one of the major tasks assigned to the administrator was to finalise the sale of the stadium. One of the obstacles included a proposal to have the stadium declared a heritage site however, an independent report by a heritage specialist suggested otherwise. Rugby365: https://bit.ly/4bKLJPr Western Province Rugby: https://bit.ly/3LiXRfR The independent report by Bridget O’Donoghue: https://bit.ly/3LiXRfR #newlandsrugbystadium #sport #rugby #commercialrealestate #rugbystadium #realestateinvestment #capetownproperty #assetmanagement #capetown #propertydevelopment #realestatenews #propertynews

The impact of Covid-19 on both businesses and communities has indeed been profound. The pandemic has highlighted the importance of relationships over transactions, emphasizing the value of collaboration, communication, and empathy. As businesses shift from a purely transactional approach to one that values relational dynamics, they foster environments where innovation and skill development thrive. This cultural shift towards nurturing soft skills and building partnerships can lead to more resilient and sustainable business models. Similarly, communities have faced challenges that require collective action and support. The pandemic has shown that community strength lies in unity and the ability to adapt and support one another. Coordinated efforts, whether through sponsorship, partnerships, or community initiatives, can help rebuild and reinforce community bonds, making them more robust against future adversities. The example of Westaway Sausages Ltd. and Newton Abbot Rugby Club illustrates how businesses can play a pivotal role in supporting and enhancing community spirit. By investing in local institutions and activities, businesses can contribute to the social fabric and well-being of the communities they are part of. In essence, the legacy of Covid-19 could be a shift towards a more relationship-oriented approach in both business and community settings, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, resilience, and mutual support.