Craig Morgan - How the West Can be Won

This weeks guest, Craig Morgan, understands how crucial local engagement is to the future of rugby. After all, a school visit by a rugby club president is what sparked his involvement in the sport at the age of seven. In our discussion, Craig talks about his position as the General Manager of Western Sydney Two Blues, and how his focus has been on strengthening the local community’s connection to rugby. Fully believing in the positive impact of rugby, Craig shares how his club uses rugby to teach leadership skills and to help ‘at-risk’ kids figure out what they want to do in life. After detailing their partnership with Western Sydney University, Craig talks about another of his club’s aims — to develop more inclusive rugby. 

We ask Craig about the successes of Two Blue’s wheelchair title-winning rugby team as well as the women’s group — one of Australia’s strongest teams. We talk about how Craig established the Central Coast Sevens, a major international fixture on the sevens rugby calendar and what led to his leaving the organisation. Craig then compares league and rugby, giving listeners an insider’s perspective on how money can change the game. We round the conversation off by discussing how sevens rugby complements traditional rugby and why the high-energy and quick nature of sevens is critical in engaging kids. At the end of the episode, Craig tells us what he would do if he were at the helm of Rugby Australia. Listen to this episode to hear how Craig and Two Blue’s are creating a stronger base for Australian rugby in Sydney's West.  

Key Points From This Episode:

• Craig gives some context on his club, Western Sydney Two Blues.
• The importance of showcasing junior clubs in engaging kids in rugby.
• What support is necessary for Sydney clubs to feel supported and increase participation. 
• How rugby clubs can approach schools to give kids a positive rugby experience. 
• The links between rugby, leadership, and learning 21st Century Skills.
• How Craig has partnered with Western Sydney University, benefiting students and his club.
• Learn about the Two Blues wheelchair rugby team, 2018 Shute Shield champions.
• How Two Blues is at the forefront of women’s rugby; the fastest growing area in rugby.
• The reach of the Central Coast Sevens, the competition that Craig established. 
• Why Craig left the Central Coast Sevens due to a lack of support.
• The role that sevens rugby can play in complementing traditional rugby.
• Hear about the success of the Two Blues sevens club and how it led to their junior program.
• League versus union rugby and the competition for players. 
• What Craig does to engage kids and keep them from moving to league rugby.
• Why enjoying playing rugby leads to better performance.
• Craig provides specifics on how money incentivises players to join league rugby.
• How Craig would fix Australian rugby if he were at the helm. 
• Hear why being a small club has been an advantage during the epidemic.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Craig Morgan - Craig Morgan on LinkedIn

Western Sydney Two Blues - Western City Two Blues

NSW Rugby - New South Wales Rugby

International Wheelchair Rugby - International Wheelchair Rugby Federation

Tiger Rugby - Tiger Rugby

Central Coast Sevens - Central Coast Sevens on Facebook