Blue Bulls*
presentation to
Parliament Portfolio
Committee on Sport and
Recreation
12th June 2007
*Blue Bulls Rugby Union & Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd
Discussion Topics
• Topic 1 : Blue Bulls Transformation Status Quo
• Topic 2 :The Way Forward
• Topic 3 : Conclusion
• Topic 4 : What has been achieved on the
professional rugby level?
BBRU
Blue Bulls jurisdiction
area includes:
• Northern Gauteng
(Greater Tshwane)
• Limpopo
•
•
•
•
One of the leading provinces on the field.
Vast geographical area – overlapping two provinces.
Traditional rural areas – non rugby playing.
SARU Broad-based transformation process and charter
strategy guide Blue Bulls into the future.
• Aligning ourselves to thè above.
BBRU
Topic 1
State of Transformation
• A Strategic Plan for Game Development
was initiated in 2001and managed for a
period of 5 years.
• The Plan essentially focussed on the
transformation of rugby within the
jurisdiction of the Blue Bulls, including the
Limpopo Province.
BBRU
State of Transformation (continued)
• The Transformation Plan was annually audited and
the processed results and data were sent to SA
Rugby.
• The Blue Bulls are aware of flaws and obstacles
regarding the implementation of the Plan. One
example would be the lack of wider representation
of role players and cooperation in relevant joint
ventures .E.g. Local Government, Dept of Sport
and Recreation, etc.
BBRU
State of Transformation (continued)
• Success of The Blue Bulls Transformation Strategy and projects
delivered excellent results in the past five years e.g. previously
disadvantaged communities:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
BBRU
Increase in schools and youth teams, especially in the Limpopo.
Increase in senior club teams
Development of rugby facilities .
Development of women’s rugby.
Training of coaches and capacity building projects with management of
black clubs.
Bulletjie rugby campaign for u/6-u/8 mini.
Tshwane Inner City project
Re-establish rugby in the developed schools in the Tshwane City area
(large influx of black children in traditional Rugby strongholds).
Talented black player programmes .
Topic 2
The way forward for critical sport issues
on transformation and development
• SA Rugby is currently in the process of launching
a project to transform rugby on a national basis
according to a scheduled plan.
• The SA Rugby Transformation Concept Plan has
already been introduced at various rugby forums
nationally and provincially.
• Workshops were facilitated with the various BBRU
role players and affiliates in 2007.
BBRU
The Way Forward (continued)
• Guide-lines and framework regarding
the Transformation Plan and process
are being communicated on various
levels of sport and government
administration e.g. (DSR: Local
Sports Councils, etc.)
BBRU
The Way Forward (continued)
• The BBRU believes that the
Transformation initiative will have a great
impact on the following focus areas, with
specific reference to schools:
BBRU
The Way Forward (continued)
Strategic focus areas: 2008+
• Levelling demographic playing fields.
• Grow the game in former disadvantaged communities.
• Grow the game in the so-called advantaged
communities with special emphasis on black people in
rugby.
• Improving women’s rugby.
• Major capacity building and life skills projects.
• Talent identification and development projects.
• Major focus on the Limpopo region with vast potential
for rugby.
BBRU
The Way Forward (continued)
• The Blue Bulls realise that the Union cannot undertake such an
enormous project on their own and is thus dependent on the following
organisations:
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
BBRU
Gauteng & Limpopo Dept. of Sports and Recreation
Tshwane & Limpopo Government
Local Sports Councils
Dept. of Education
Dept. of Health
Lotto Board
Other role players
Sponsors
The Way Forward (continued)
• Support from all the above-mentioned
institutions and other role players will be of
cardinal importance. Finances and Human
Resources as support will be a
prerequisite.
BBRU
The Way Forward (continued)
• Amateur and professional divisions at The Blue Bulls are in
the process of compiling a framework for the implementation
of our Transformation Plan, based on the six dimensions
prescribed by SA Rugby, namely:
1. Demographic representation
2. Access
3. Skill development
4. Employment equity
5. Preferential procurement
6. Social investment through community development –
BBRU
Topic 3
- Conclusion
• It must be mentioned that the challenge to
successfully manage the transformation
process within the BBRU, is much larger than
in the provinces where rugby has been
accepted as a culture within black
communities.
• The Blue Bulls would like to emphasise that
Government (nationally and provincial:
Gauteng) should collectively commit to
support the BBRU with transformation.
BBRU
Conclusion (continued)
• The BBRU accepts the responsibility to
transform significantly and to develop
and promote rugby in all corners of the
Province.
BBRU
Topic 4 : What has been achieved
on the professional rugby level?
BB Co
Structure: Blue Bulls Rugby
Core: Game
Development
BBRU
Amateur Rugby
Maximise share-holders return
Associations
Clubs
Blue Bulls Company (Pty) Ltd
Professional Rugby
Schools
Youth Rugby
Referee’s
Medical
SAIL
Sport Management
& Investment
Company
Rugby Structures
U19
U21
Junior
College & Academy
Schools
BB Co
VC
CC
Senior
S14
Springbok Blue Bulls Players
Blue Bulls Springbok’s
Blue Bulls
2005 2006 2007
7
9
14
-
-
14
Black Blue Bulls
2
4
Black Blue Bulls not available –
Injuries
-
1
Black Springboks in RWC 2007 Squad
BB Co
•
Guthro
Steenkamp
28.5%
4
2
• Tim Dlulane
• Chilliboy Raleapelle
Emerging Bok’s Blue Bulls Players
Blue Bulls in Emerging Bok’s
2007- Squad
Blue Bulls
Black Emerging Boks
Black Blue Bulls
BB Co
2007
5
13
23%
3
S.A. Under 21
Blue Bulls Players
12
11
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
11
9
8
SA U21 Players
6
6
4
3
1
2002
BB Co
1
1
2004
2006
Black SA U21
Players
S.A. Under 19
Blue Bulls Players
10
9
8
7
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
12
8
7
7
SA U19 Players
5
5
5
5
4
1
1
1
200220032004200520062007
BB Co
Black SA U19
Players
Super 14
Super 14
2005
Total number of players used
Number of black players used
2007
30
38
35
6
10
6
20%
Number of black players in starting
team
2006
26%
5
17%
4
6
Black Players not available
3
• Chilliboy Ralepelle
• Guthro Steenkamp
BB Co (Pty) Ltd and Falcon Rugby (Pty) Ltd
• Chilliboy Ralepelle
• Tim Dlulane
• Danwel Demas
• Competitiveness
• Availability of black players – extra franchise
Super 14 Black players in 2007 matches
Date
Vs
3 February
Sharks
Cheetahs
Western
Force
Chiefs
Brumbies
Waratahs
Crusaders
Highlanders
Hurricanes
Stormers
Lions
Blues
Reds
Crusaders
Semi
Sharks –
final
10 February
16 February
24 February
3 March
10 March
17 March
24 March
31 March
14 April
21 April
27 April
5 May
12 May
19 May
Black
Players
in 22
Black
Players in
starting
team.
Black
Players
reserves
playing.
Black
Players in
22 not
playing.
3
4
4
2
2
2
1
2
1
1
5
4
5
5
5
5
4
5
4
5
4
4
3
4
4
4
4
2
3
3
5
4
1
1
1
2
2
1
-
1
1
1
-
4
3
1
-
Percentage of Senior Black
Players Contracted
70
21.1% 18.1% 22.9% 19.5% 16%
61
60
50
26%
56
52
50
46
44
Black players
contracted
Total players
contracted
40
30
20
10
11
14
8
9
9
13
0
BB Co
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Percentage of Junior Black
Players Contracted
60
20%
24.4% 25% 36.8% 51.3% 48.8%
55
50
45
40
38
32
30
20
10
37
41
19
11
11
20
14
8
0
BB Co
2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Black players
contracted
Total players
contracted
Achievements: Seniors
Super 12 / 14
Currie Cup
Year
Title
Result
Year
Title
Result
2007
Champions
1st
2007
2006
Semi
4th
2006
Final
Draw
2005
Semi
3rd
2005
Final
Lost
2004
6th
6th
2004
Final
Won
2003
6th
6th
2003
Final
Won
2002
12th
12th
2002
Final
Won
2001
12th
12th
2001
6th
6th
BB Co
Achievements: Seniors
Vodacom Cup
BB Co
Year
Title
Result
2007
Final
Lost
2006
Third
No Semi
2005
Semi
Lost
2004
Final
Lost
2003
Final
Lost
2002
Final
Lost
2001
Final
Won
Achievements: Juniors
Under 21 / 20
Year
Title
Result
Under 19
Year
Title
Result
2007
2007
2006
Final
Won
2006
Final
Won
2005
Final
Won
2005
Final
Won
2004
Final
Won
2004
2003
Final
Won
2003
2002
Final
Draw
2002
Second
No Final
2001
Semi
Lost
2001
Final
Won
BB Co
Blue Bulls Fast Track Program
Player
Started
FTP
SA
U/19
SA
U/21
Chilliboy
Ralepelle
2005
2005
2005/6 2006
 2005 SA u/19
Player of the year
 2006 IRB u/21
player of the year
 2006 1st Black
Springbok
Captain
Hilton
Lobberts
2005
2005
2005/6 2006
Bandisa Maku
2005
Luvuyu
Mhlobiso
Andisa Gxobo
2005
Mtunsi
Mabetha
Riacco Eillard
Burton
Francis
Baphiwe
Mfundise
Aubrey
McDonald
Vainon Willis
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
2006
IRB u/19 World Cup
– player of the
tournament
2007 Emerging
Boks
Blue Bulls
Vodacom Cup
Blue Bulls
Vodacom Cup
Blue Bulls
Vodacom Cup
SA Schools
Blue Bulls u/19
2006
2005
2005
2007
2005/6
Springboks
Other
SA Schools
2007
2007
SA Schools x 2
2007
2007
SA Schools x 2
Reasons for success on the fields
• Best coaching team(s) – Continuity and consistency.
– Professional rugby structures.
• Talented players.
– Player feeder structures (Player ID and Recruitment).
• Top black players.
• Create fast track opportunities for talented black players.
• Professional environment.
– Focus on the “TEAM” and the “total” player.
• Facilities centralized at stadium – Fields, gym, pool, medical, rehabilitation and
eatery.
• Equipment.
• Scientific programs.
• Conditioning.
• Medical – Rehabilitation and nutrition.
• Technical and tactical.
• Marketable rugby – Winning.
Breakdown of Vodacom Bulls
National Supporters Base
Bulls Supporters: 2,017,000
Black Supporters:1,149,690
Asians
2%
Coloureds
18%
Whites
43%
Blacks
37%
BB Co
Research done by BMI
Loftus Versfeld Spectator
Attendance
800,000
Rugby
Soccer
Other events
700,000
600,000
536,913
500,000
475,518
441,577
400,000 370,770
300,000
389,737
303,108
370,847
292,036
288,673
239,086
200,000
191,123
175,433
205,716 215,563
165,000
152,112 159,229
113,000
100,000
73,429
70,000
0
2007
BB Co
2005
2003
2001
1999
1997
Status – Way forward
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Blue Bulls on field performance excellent.
Despite few black players –schools and clubs - in Blue Bulls jurisdiction
area playing rugby.
Efficient senior recruitment is a short term solution to have adequate black
players in our squads.
Effective rugby structures and fast track programs are medium term
solutions to recruit enough players and as we align with SARU’S broadbased transformation process and charter, this will secure a sustainable
province and brand for the future for the Blue Bulls.
Bulls black supporter base increased dramatically over past ten years.
Loftus Versfeld as soccer home base for PSL-Teams - Chiefs, Sundowns
and Supersport changed perceptions regarding Pretoria, the Blue Bulls and
Loftus Versfeld.
Communities must be increasingly exposed to the rugby.
The Way Forward (continued)
• The Blue Bulls will apply more resources on professional
rugby and make money available to amateur rugby :
–
–
–
–
–
–
Financial
Volunteers
Coaches
Facilities
Referees
Medical, etc..
To increase access to the game
BB Co
Blue Bulls
The Way Forward (continued)
1.Demographic representation.
–
Increase numbers of black players, coaching staff and management.
2. Access.
–
To establish opportunities high performance players, coaches, officials and management.
3. Skills development.
– Enhance skill transfer, through:
•
•
•
•
Academy.
Rugby College.
Training coaching staff, officials and management.
Elite player projects.
4. Employment equity.
– Levelling the playing grounds and create opportunities for coaching staff, officials and
management
5. Preferential procurement.
–
Increase % procurement from empowered companies.
6. Social investment through community development
– Inner City projects, emphasis schools mass and talented players.
BB Co