Blog Layout

What determines the monetary value of a professional Rugby Union player? – Part 5

HJ Kriek

Off field characteristics and factors determining the monetary value of professional Rugby Union players as mentioned by Senior Management within professional rugby organisations.

Nearing the end of our 7 part series on the monetary value of a professional rugby player, in this part 5 we look at what is the off field characteristics and factors that influence this monetary valuation, as seen by the senior management within a professional rugby organisation.

By now there is a clear picture emerging of what characteristics and factors play a role in the valuation of a professional rugby player.

If you missed parts 1 to 4 they are all available in the blog.

A quick visual recap of the off field characteristics and factors as was mentioned by agents that represent professional players in part 4.

Figure 1: Off-field characteristics as highlighted by professional rugby agents

Figure 2: Off-field factors as highlighted by professional rugby agents.

Let's get stuck into what senior management ha to say.


1. Off Field Characteristics (Senior management)

 

a. Personal character

“We back coaching to fill the skillset of the player, as we take personality above skills. In the long run we need good people”

(Head of Recruitment – Premiership)

 

The character of the player is as important as the rest of what the player brings to the organisation. Players with good daily behaviours, that are competitive and can keep good internal relationships, are sought after.

 

b. Leadership

“Education of a player is also important for me, as they will become the leaders of the future and that will lead to a good career”

(General Manager - MLR)

 

Leadership and the ability to educate and lead within the squad, to help improvement within the organisation, was a characteristic that added value. 

 

c. Growth mind-set

Not all interviewees mentioned this as a characteristic that can add value, but it warrants mentioning from a senior management perspective. This is also linked to the coachability of the player.

 

d. External relationships

Some senior management mentioned the importance of the interaction of players with media and sponsors, as something that can potentially play a role in the future valuation of a player.

 

Figure 3: Off-field characteristics as highlighted by senior management within professional rugby organisations.


2. Off Field Factors (Senior management)


a. Team management

“Players buy into the coach. The profile of the coach matters. If they believe he will make them better and get them back into an international jersey, they will sign for less money. They also believe they can win trophies with him and will come cheaper. This can be reversed if they do not buy into him; you then need to pay those more to get them into the organisation” 

(President – Super Rugby Franchise)


Senior management expressed the need to have a high-performance setup of coaches that can attract players. If the team is successful and the organisation is successful, it is a benefit for the organisation in recruitment and retention. 


“We end up getting players for less because they want to try and come win some trophies, and being part of that group means something to them. We have to use that to our advantage” 

(Head of Rugby Operations – Pro 14)


b. Local regulations

“Transformation players might get more than what they are worth because you must have a certain number of them, and everybody wants them” 

(President – Super Rugby Franchise)


The theme of local regulations significantly impacting player valuation was again evident from the interviews with senior management. 


c. Budget

“Monetary value was set through our budget. We try to differentiate our money roughly evenly, but it all depends on the personnel we have available” 

(Head of Recruitment - Premiership)


Budget constraints at most organisations are linked to the salary cap with local regulations. The senior management members interviewed generally held the preference to spread the budget more evenly across the squad if it is possible.


“If players are of similar age and pedigree they will be earning the same” 

(CEO – Super Rugby Franchise)


d. The organisation

“When I started, we had to let go 380-390 worth of international caps, as they were too expensive and did not fit the culture of the organisation” 

(CEO – Super Rugby Franchise)


A strong opinion was expressed that the strategic plan for the organisation plays a role when it comes to retention and recruitment. 


We are willing to spend a bit more to get or keep home grown players to sell the dream to the younger generation” 

(President – Super Rugby Franchise)

 

e. Market supply and demand

“The market states certain values to a certain range. International experience = X, Premiership experience = Y and so forth” 

(Head of Recruitment - Premiership)


Market supply and demand was also mentioned by senior management. It was however not a primary factor in value determination.


f. Player status and reputation

“Big name players have their own following and can contribute to the organisation’s brand through social media, as people will associate with the organisation through the player”

(President - Super Rugby Franchise)


Status and reputation were not consistently mentioned by interviewees. That said, it is important to mention and link with the strategic goal of the organisation, as in future this may well become a more significant factor in player valuation as professional rugby grows in the commercial market. 


“The image rights of players in future will definitely play a bigger role” 

(CEO – Super Rugby Franchise)

Figure 4: Off-field factors as highlighted by senior management within professional rugby organisations.


Summary: A one page summary slide for your benifit:


1.Off field characteristics that Senior Management said they are looking for

2.Off field factors that Senior Management said they are looking for


Tip: Click on above links to open summary slides


The Final Pass

By HJ Kriek December 24, 2024
Are you happy because you are successful, or are you successful because you are happy?
By Lisa Walker September 26, 2024
In today's fast-paced digital landscape, video marketing has emerged as a powerful tool for small businesses to connect with their target audience. With the right strategy in place, videos can capture attention, convey messages effectively, and drive engagement. In this guide from The Final Pass , we'll delve into the components of a successful video marketing campaign for small businesses. Understanding Types of Video Marketing At the core of crafting an impactful video marketing strategy is grasping the array of video formats at your disposal. Each type of video serves a unique purpose and can be used to achieve different marketing goals. For example, explainer videos are excellent for simplifying intricate ideas and making complex information more accessible to your audience. Product demos spotlight your offerings, showcasing their features and benefits in a tangible way that helps potential customers understand their value. Targeting Your Audience To make the most of your video marketing efforts, it's crucial to define your target market by understanding their preferences, needs, and pain points. Start by examining your web traffic for unique visitors and average time on site to gain insights into which content resonates most with your audience. Additionally, analyze statistics from your social media platforms to further refine this information. Creating videos that address these identified aspects establishes a genuine connection, leading to higher engagement and better results. Setting a Realistic Budget Before embarking on a video marketing campaign, it's essential to determine a budget that aligns with your business's financial situation. Consider factors such as production costs, equipment requirements, and advertising expenses. Striking a balance between your investment and expected returns is key to ensuring that your video marketing efforts yield positive outcomes without straining your resources. Enlisting Professional Help While smartphone cameras have come a long way, collaborating with video production professionals can significantly enhance the quality and impact of your videos. Videographers, scriptwriters, and video editors possess the expertise to create visually appealing and compelling content that resonates with your audience. Their skills can elevate your videos from good to exceptional, leaving a lasting impression on viewers. Integration with Content Marketing A successful video marketing strategy doesn't exist in isolation. Integrating videos into your overall content marketing approach can amplify their impact. Enhance blog posts, enrich social media content, and strengthen email campaigns with engaging videos. This integration extends your reach and resonates with your audience on multiple platforms, maximising your overall marketing efforts. Measuring Campaign Effectiveness To determine the success of your video marketing campaigns, it's crucial to establish key performance indicators (KPIs). Metrics such as view counts, engagement rates, conversion rates, and social shares provide insights into how well your videos are performing. Regularly monitoring these metrics enables you to assess the effectiveness of your strategy and make necessary adjustments to optimize results. Optimising Videos for SEO To ensure your videos reach a broader audience, optimising them for search engines is essential. Start by incorporating relevant keywords in your video titles, descriptions, and tags to improve discoverability. Additionally, create captivating thumbnail images and provide transcriptions for accessibility and better indexing by search engines. By following these SEO best practices, you can boost your video’s visibility and drive organic traffic to your small business. Crafting an effective video marketing strategy for your small business requires a thoughtful approach that encompasses audience targeting, budgeting, professional collaboration, survey feedback, and performance measurement. By embracing the power of video and integrating it seamlessly into your content marketing efforts, you can create a lasting connection with your audience, foster engagement, and ultimately drive growth and success. Unlock the full potential of video marketing and watch your small business flourish in the digital age. Unlock your team's full potential with tailored high-performance sports coaching from The Final Pass . Reach out today to reshape your approach and achieve greater success in both sports and organisational growth!
More Posts
Share by: