Geoff Parkes is the author of ‘A World in Union - The Global Battle for Rugby Supremacy, published in 2017 to critical acclaim. He also writes for Australia's leading interactive sports website The Roar in his weekly column on rugby, 'The Wrap'. He has published almost 450 articles, with almost 2 million views. I chat to Geoff about Rugby, the writing he does for the sport, his views on where the game is at, and his views on the global game and its future Geoff talks about his journey with Rugby, writing for The Roar and writing his in depth book about global rugby. He discusses the best article he has written for The Roar and how he measures success. Geoff talks about the Rugby World Cup and an experience of writing articles that were immediate, on the pulse and by being immersed in the experience, it enabled the atmosphere to truly be captured. Geoff says when writing online, the opinions of the general public appear live and are portrayed in a conversational way. He says it tests you as the rugby audience is informed, full of opinion and you must have your facts right, while also interacting with your readers. Geoff tells us about the motivation for writing his book and why it was well received and consumed by the rugby and wider sports audience. The motivation Geoff says, was to address some discontent in the game and interview and discuss rugby people from around the globe. It evolved from there. World Rugby, SANZAAR, international competitions, media & broadcasting rights, weaker nations, and the impact of all of these on Rugby globally. In the book it says 'A confused rugby calendar is subjected to a ‘land grab’ from clubs and national unions, all striving to maximize revenue.' We discuss whether the calendar has since been even more confused, particularly with the impacts of Covid globally. Geoff says it is not a clearer calendar or is there any real improvement in scheduling. Various reasons, including the Northern v Southern Hemisphere scheduling that is layered and difficult particularly with club competition. Private equity have invested in the game, there is an increased self interest in the game and the calendar is full with conflicting schedules. In the book he discusses player welfare and say ‘Player welfare concerns are cited by all and sundry, yet are cast aside as soon as there is a dollar to be made. ‘ We talk about this, what else can be done and the risks associated with this highly combative sport. We discuss the sport becoming professional, resources in the game broadly and how they are distributed, and the main globally challenges facing Rugby Union. Geoff discuss how World Rugby has an Investment in developing parts of the game, non traditional markets, women’s, youth, developing nations and a lot of resources poured into these areas, but there is always never enough. He states the commercial base in the game is not large enough in Australia. Domestic pressures occur from significant other sports in Australia, and the sheer population size and followers of Rugby Union provide challenges compared to other nations. We talk about his thoughts on World Rugby bringing the sport together for a common goal globally when there appears a ’lack of a joined-up response from the major governing bodies whose self-interest is undermining the foundations of the sport ‘. I ask Geoff if we have the right strategies and people in place to bring the game forward? Does he have faith in ‘the game they play in heaven’. and its future? Geoff talks about his interest in writing a fiction book next time, his research into concussion in sport and his continuing support for Rugby Union.
