Rugby

RugbyWA out of voluntary administration RugbyWA is out of voluntary administration after Rugby Australia waived a legal debt of more than $1 million. RA spent about $1.7 million in legal costs after Rugby WA challenged the Western Force's axing from the Super Rugby franchise. RugbyWA entered into voluntary administration last month, saying the axing of the Force meant it simply didn't have the revenue stream to pay back RA's demands. But RA has now forgiven that debt after billionaire mining magnate Andrew Forrest promised to pump more than $2 million into grassroots and women's rugby. As part of Forrest's plan, the Future Force Academy will also be resurrected to help convert amateur athletes to professional players, and it will be open to women for the first time. RA have also agreed to return the the Force's name and intellectual property to RugbyWA. RA bought the Force IP for $800,000 last year in what was dubbed an "alliance" at the time. That "alliance" eventually gave RA the power to axe the Force when it needed to cut one Australian franchise from the Super Rugby competition. After the Force's axing, Forrest unveiled an ambitious plan to launch the Indo Pacific Rugby Championship - featuring the Force and five other teams. However, RA are yet to endorse the new competition - with negotiations still ongoing. Forrest wants the competition to kick off in February 2019. "This is a very exciting day for Western Australian fans, players and coaches," chairman of RugbyWA John Edwards said. "With Andrew's help, we have convinced Rugby Australia and other creditors to wipe the balance sheet clean, giving us a much-needed fresh start."