Latest news with #Benetton
Sydney Morning Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Sydney Morning Herald
Reds eye global takeover, spurred by former Wallaby's daring US move
Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Dave Hanham has outlined visions of taking the Reds' brand worldwide, and a former Wallabies star's daring NFL dream could hold the key to realising them. Fresh off announcing a partnership with Italian giants Benetton, Hanham revealed bold moves had been discussed to take the club to the United States, where past Reds sensation Jordan Petaia is plotting an American takeover. Petaia left Rugby Australia, even with the British and Irish Lions tour in sight, to take part in the NFL's International Player Pathway program, earning a contract with the Los Angeles Chargers in the process. When asked if the 25-year-old's bold move got the wheels turning to potentially leverage that connection, Hanham replied 'definitely'. 'We're very proud of Jordie's progression into the NFL. Not that we want to be losing a lot of players to the NFL, but at the same time, that's a massive drawcard, and we were part of that,' he said. 'Jordie's obviously still very fond of the Reds and Super Rugby back here, so who knows what that could turn into down the track? 'The amount of talent over in the US is very attractive. They've got a strong presence in [rugby] sevens, so if we're front and centre with opportunities over there, who knows what that could turn into? 'The US is definitely an opportunity to establish a strategic relationship.' While the NRL has sought to infiltrate the US market through its opening round in Las Vegas, opportunities for rugby union to forge a more collaborative partnership await. Loading Hanham confirmed the US would continue to be a market they would explore before the nation hosts the 2031 Rugby World Cup, and could, in time, feature a similar connection to that which has been created with Benetton. Josh Flook, Richie Asiata, Louis Werchon and John Bryant will leave this month for a three-month secondment in Italy, and Hanham sees the potential for similar exchanges of players and coaches with American rugby. The connection to Petaia could enhance those visions, as could the exposure opportunities to be gleaned from a major broadcast deal on ESPN secured by America's professional rugby competition, Major League Rugby. 'We were looking at an opportunity last year when the LA team played a game in Fiji. They were talking to us about potentially coming to participate in that, which we were open to – it would have been before we went to the UK,' Hanham said. 'I've met with a couple of the clubs over there who have spoken to us about their ambitions for the success of rugby heading into the World Cup '31. 'The opportunity may start in the form of a game or games, and that may end up in other opportunities down the track around the use of players and development opportunities both ways. 'It's a great market, with potential for growth. It's got the World Cup, which will see a significant rise in popularity of the game, and as a brand, we want to be connected to the growth of the game in different markets. 'If you're not there promoting your brand to a broader audience, you run the risk of being contained to your local market only, which is critical to have a strong local market, but we are a global game. 'You've got to put yourself on that stage if you want to be recognised as a team that's got the potential for growth.' Upon Petaia's signing with the Chargers, Reds coach Les Kiss suggested his old prodigy had the capacity to thrive in the NFL, and that moves into the US could create recruitment opportunities. 'I think in certain positions, yes. It wouldn't be right across – you wouldn't find any nines there – but you could certainly find the types of athletes with a power base,' Kiss said. 'Any opportunities you can get to broaden your reach and deepen your influence, why not tap into it? We're always searching for opportunities, whether it's in Europe or broader into the US market.' While the American dream is yet to come to fruition, the Reds have orchestrated a touring calendar that has proved to be a retention and recruitment goldmine. The club already has lasting ties with Japan through the Saitama Wild Knights, while there is the possibility of another Tonga clash being arranged this year, following last year's venture. The Reds also travelled to Ulster and Bristol in January, and Hanham said they were hopeful of securing another fixture when they embarked for Benetton in November 2026 – ideally in France. In turn, the club has extended the bulk of its team, which finished fifth this year. Loading Hanham said the goal of the Reds' global escapades was to develop a program featuring '25 to 26 quality games a year' to help build a 'sustainably successful football program and team that can win consistently'. He said given the Super Rugby Pacific season only ran for 16 rounds before finals, there was a 'high performance need' to fill a gap and ensure players remained engaged and committed. 'We want to be doing this for well over a decade because once we can do this consistently, that's going to help with a number of things for our football program,' Hanham said. 'The appeal in being part of the Reds now is you get to play in these international tour matches. It's starting to have a positive impact on player renegotiations and retention, and, in some cases, recruitment of players.
The Age
a day ago
- Business
- The Age
Reds eye global takeover, spurred by former Wallaby's daring US move
Queensland Rugby Union chief executive Dave Hanham has outlined visions of taking the Reds' brand worldwide, and a former Wallabies star's daring NFL dream could hold the key to realising them. Fresh off announcing a partnership with Italian giants Benetton, Hanham revealed bold moves had been discussed to take the club to the United States, where past Reds sensation Jordan Petaia is plotting an American takeover. Petaia left Rugby Australia, even with the British and Irish Lions tour in sight, to take part in the NFL's International Player Pathway program, earning a contract with the Los Angeles Chargers in the process. When asked if the 25-year-old's bold move got the wheels turning to potentially leverage that connection, Hanham replied 'definitely'. 'We're very proud of Jordie's progression into the NFL. Not that we want to be losing a lot of players to the NFL, but at the same time, that's a massive drawcard, and we were part of that,' he said. 'Jordie's obviously still very fond of the Reds and Super Rugby back here, so who knows what that could turn into down the track? 'The amount of talent over in the US is very attractive. They've got a strong presence in [rugby] sevens, so if we're front and centre with opportunities over there, who knows what that could turn into? 'The US is definitely an opportunity to establish a strategic relationship.' While the NRL has sought to infiltrate the US market through its opening round in Las Vegas, opportunities for rugby union to forge a more collaborative partnership await. Loading Hanham confirmed the US would continue to be a market they would explore before the nation hosts the 2031 Rugby World Cup, and could, in time, feature a similar connection to that which has been created with Benetton. Josh Flook, Richie Asiata, Louis Werchon and John Bryant will leave this month for a three-month secondment in Italy, and Hanham sees the potential for similar exchanges of players and coaches with American rugby. The connection to Petaia could enhance those visions, as could the exposure opportunities to be gleaned from a major broadcast deal on ESPN secured by America's professional rugby competition, Major League Rugby. 'We were looking at an opportunity last year when the LA team played a game in Fiji. They were talking to us about potentially coming to participate in that, which we were open to – it would have been before we went to the UK,' Hanham said. 'I've met with a couple of the clubs over there who have spoken to us about their ambitions for the success of rugby heading into the World Cup '31. 'The opportunity may start in the form of a game or games, and that may end up in other opportunities down the track around the use of players and development opportunities both ways. 'It's a great market, with potential for growth. It's got the World Cup, which will see a significant rise in popularity of the game, and as a brand, we want to be connected to the growth of the game in different markets. 'If you're not there promoting your brand to a broader audience, you run the risk of being contained to your local market only, which is critical to have a strong local market, but we are a global game. 'You've got to put yourself on that stage if you want to be recognised as a team that's got the potential for growth.' Upon Petaia's signing with the Chargers, Reds coach Les Kiss suggested his old prodigy had the capacity to thrive in the NFL, and that moves into the US could create recruitment opportunities. 'I think in certain positions, yes. It wouldn't be right across – you wouldn't find any nines there – but you could certainly find the types of athletes with a power base,' Kiss said. 'Any opportunities you can get to broaden your reach and deepen your influence, why not tap into it? We're always searching for opportunities, whether it's in Europe or broader into the US market.' While the American dream is yet to come to fruition, the Reds have orchestrated a touring calendar that has proved to be a retention and recruitment goldmine. The club already has lasting ties with Japan through the Saitama Wild Knights, while there is the possibility of another Tonga clash being arranged this year, following last year's venture. The Reds also travelled to Ulster and Bristol in January, and Hanham said they were hopeful of securing another fixture when they embarked for Benetton in November 2026 – ideally in France. In turn, the club has extended the bulk of its team, which finished fifth this year. Loading Hanham said the goal of the Reds' global escapades was to develop a program featuring '25 to 26 quality games a year' to help build a 'sustainably successful football program and team that can win consistently'. He said given the Super Rugby Pacific season only ran for 16 rounds before finals, there was a 'high performance need' to fill a gap and ensure players remained engaged and committed. 'We want to be doing this for well over a decade because once we can do this consistently, that's going to help with a number of things for our football program,' Hanham said. 'The appeal in being part of the Reds now is you get to play in these international tour matches. It's starting to have a positive impact on player renegotiations and retention, and, in some cases, recruitment of players.
Sydney Morning Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
How a Wallabies great forged a global union as Lynagh battle looms
Fresh off his maiden starting appearance in Wallabies colours in defeat to the British and Irish Lions, Tom Lynagh will be bracing for a future in which he is pitted against his brother. The Australian five-eighth's Super Rugby Pacific outfit, the Queensland Reds, have announced a groundbreaking partnership with Italian side Benetton – the club which the 22-year-old's older sibling, Louis Lynagh, currently plays for. Four Reds – Josh Flook, Richie Asiata, John Bryant and Louis Werchon – will leave in July for a three-month secondment, in which they will feature in Europe's United Rugby Championship. Queensland will travel to Treviso for the first time in November 2026 when they will face-off with Benetton, opening the door for the Lynagh boys to square off, after their father – Wallabies great Michael Lynagh – won trophies at each club. 'The connection was made through Michael Lynagh,' Reds general manager of high performance Sam Cordingley said. Loading 'Right from the start, we have felt a genuine will to create opportunities that can benefit two proud clubs and two strong brands.' Cordingley, and Benetton general manager of rugby Antonio Pavanello, launched discussions of the partnership in January as the Australian side took part in their European tour, in which they clashed with Bristol and Ulster. It followed contests with Wales, Tonga and Japanese franchise Saitama Wild Knights in 2024, while they also battled the Lions this month and hope to include another fixture on their Italy tour.
The Age
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Age
How a Wallabies great forged a global union as Lynagh battle looms
Fresh off his maiden starting appearance in Wallabies colours in defeat to the British and Irish Lions, Tom Lynagh will be bracing for a future in which he is pitted against his brother. The Australian five-eighth's Super Rugby Pacific outfit, the Queensland Reds, have announced a groundbreaking partnership with Italian side Benetton – the club which the 22-year-old's older sibling, Louis Lynagh, currently plays for. Four Reds – Josh Flook, Richie Asiata, John Bryant and Louis Werchon – will leave in July for a three-month secondment, in which they will feature in Europe's United Rugby Championship. Queensland will travel to Treviso for the first time in November 2026 when they will face-off with Benetton, opening the door for the Lynagh boys to square off, after their father – Wallabies great Michael Lynagh – won trophies at each club. 'The connection was made through Michael Lynagh,' Reds general manager of high performance Sam Cordingley said. Loading 'Right from the start, we have felt a genuine will to create opportunities that can benefit two proud clubs and two strong brands.' Cordingley, and Benetton general manager of rugby Antonio Pavanello, launched discussions of the partnership in January as the Australian side took part in their European tour, in which they clashed with Bristol and Ulster. It followed contests with Wales, Tonga and Japanese franchise Saitama Wild Knights in 2024, while they also battled the Lions this month and hope to include another fixture on their Italy tour.
Indian Express
6 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
Italy score, Australia assist: How expats from Down Under returned to their roots and fuelled cricket's revival in the football-obsessed nation
Harry Manenti in many ways defines what Italy's cricket is all about. Man of the Series in the tournament that sealed Azzurri's qualification to the T20 World Cup to be hosted by India and Sri Lanka next February-March, Manenti's family has Italian roots. His father played professional rugby for Benetton in Brescia at the foot of the Alps and, growing up in Sydney, cricket remained a part of their household. Apart from weekend games with the large Italian community in the bustling city, his elder brother Benjamin has been a regular in Australia's first-class system. Yet, playing in the World Cup still looked like a dream too far until a phone call arrived four years ago. It all started with Benjamin applying for a European passport and looking for avenues to play cricket in the UK. 'Our father had shown us the route, and when Ben was looking for opportunities, he had also enrolled for the Big Bash. With his name circling, the Italy federation saw the last name and reached out asking if he was available to play for them. Then he told them about me and all of a sudden, I was playing in Italy with Ben joining a year later,' Manenti tells The Indian Express. The Manentis, like over a million others in Australia with Italian roots, have long shared a common dream — to keep cricket around them at all times. Harry and Benjamin's parents, like many others, migrated to Australia at the end of World War II in search of better opportunities. Cricket, which had been a prominent sport back in Italy before the War, was too hard to let go of. Down Under with facilities that are second to none, they went about building a strong base, establishing clubs in Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide which have players only of Italian origin. The Manentis are part of this sound eco-system where their weekends would be spent with the community and beyond. Italy captain Joe Burns, who once wore the famous Australian Baggy Green before becoming an Azzurri in 2024, posted an emotional message after qualification, that read: 'This triumph is more than cricket'. *** Most things about Italian cricket are fascinating. It's a sport that's completely banned in the northern town of Monfalcone because it caused significant disturbance to the locals. And that wasn't the first time the sport was banned in Italy. Cricket, which was first played in Italy in 1890, was once on an equal footing with football when the English moved to their shores. In fact, Genoa, the Serie A football club, started as a cricket club. So did the European powerhouse AC Milan, which has retained its English name as against the Italian Milano. Clubs would then spring up in Turin as well, with cricket being played in the summer before football became the sport for the winter months. 'When Italy was unified in 1870, the English had helped a lot,' Simone Gambino, the honorary president of the Italian Cricket Federation (ICF) says. 'In the three cities – Genoa, Milan and Turin, which we call the industrial triangle, there were a lot of English. They brought cricket here, similar to what they did in India. These cities still go by the English name because of their influence. For 20 years till World War II, cricket and football lived together in these English clubs. It just disappeared after fascism set in,' Gambino says. According to Gambino, in the World War era, cricket only continued in Rome's religious colleges run by the English and Scots. The scene would continue till the end of WW II, when the English started to arrive back in Italy. 'Post War, they re-sent a lot of people and particularly in Rome, there was a flood of cricketing activities through the religious institutes and priests. There is a team of the Vatican these days called St. Peter's Cricket Club. And it's the Pope's team, it's the team of the Vatican. It is nearly entirely composed of Indian and Sri Lankan priests,' Gambino says. Having learnt the sport from his American grandfather while growing up in London, Gambino says when he arrived in Italy in the late 1970s as a teenager, many Italian expats played cricket. With quality being poor, Gambino admits it never flourished and by the mid-90s, the arrival of the Asian population saw a complete takeover. But what Gambino and ICF didn't realise was that indigenous Italians who moved elsewhere after World War II didn't abandon cricket. Gambino, who doesn't forget to remind that Ted Dexter and Daniel Vettori were of Italian heritage, reveals that a majority of Italians who moved to England, Australia, South Africa and New Zealand post World War II kept cricket within their grasp. 'In Melbourne's JICA league, there is a team called Rosebank made up of only Italians which has been winning the title for the last 10 years. The whole focus of the last 20 years of ICC policy has been on development and spreading the game. And a lot of money has been spent on this. But unfortunately, you cannot spread the culture quickly. Culture needs time. Football is popular all over the world. A lot of money was spent about 10 years ago to get football going in India, but it doesn't work. A lot of Italians kept the cricket culture going wherever they settled,' says Gambino was ICF chair from 1986 to 2016 before taking up the honorary role. While the arrival of thousands of expats from the Indian sub-continent has kept club-level cricket flourishing in Italy, what is also undeniable is that the local population hasn't taken up the game as much as those of the previous generations. Gambino, while mentioning the reason for Monfalcone banning cricket, explains the game in Italy in a nutshell. 'In Monfalcone, obviously there is some racism by the Italians against the Bengalis. But it also must be said that the Bengalis are using cricket as a device to do their own thing. When I was the chairman, we offered the Bengali community to play on a beautiful grass baseball ground, but they weren't interested. The people who have been forbidden from playing cricket in Monfalcone are not clubs or teams, but a bunch of people who just want to go out and bat and bowl at random places in the streets. We want to introduce the sport in schools. It shouldn't be seen as a sub-continent sport played by expats. It is a sport for everyone, including the Italians,' Gambino says. A post shared by ICC (@icc) *** Peter Di Venuto can well be called as Italy cricket's flagbearer in Australia. While his brother, Michael, played nine ODIs for Australia before switching to Italy in 2012, Peter turned out for Italy apart from playing club-level cricket in Tasmania, where he now resides. After gaining T20I status in 2019, Peter has played a big role in uniting the Italian community in Australia in terms of exploring the option of turning out for Azzurri. It was Peter who had reached out to the Manentis with the idea of playing for Italy. 'There are a lot of them who are interested. We could have had Spencer Johnson playing for us, but he got picked in franchise cricket and he turned out for Australia soon after. Now, we're establishing academies in Australia for Italian citizens, dual citizens for boys and girls to be able to support the national team in Italy as we progress towards the Olympics,' he says. Di Venuto adds: 'So in terms of a strategy, it's very much part of our strategy to engage with Italians all over the world. It doesn't just exist in Italy. You have got a huge settlement here and players who have access to the best facilities and some even feature in domestic tournaments. If they believe it is not logical to get into the Australian team, they have Italy as an option. There are many in South Africa as well, who are showing interest. The qualification has improved the profile of the team and a lot of them want to get involved already.' Cricket finding its way into the Olympics has already given a much-needed boost to the sport in Italy. According to Di Venuto, players are now tested every 12 months by the Italian National Olympic Committee and a database has already been put in place. Like Gambino, Di Venuto admits the interest among the locals has dwindled. 'The school programme started two years back, so we have to see how it goes. In the meantime, we thought about how we keep improving and in Australia, we had a good system in place already,' he says. 'A lot of us have grown up playing the game here and have a skill set that we all feel should be empowered to do something back to honour our heritage and roots back in Italy. And that part has been the motivation of this team. People moving out of India and Pakistan take cricket with them. We are no different. We took cricket with us from Italy and continued it here,' De Veuto adds. Manenti, meanwhile, is already dreaming about the T20 World Cup. The tournament might still be six months away, but the all-rounder is already manifesting the idea of playing in front of packed crowds. 'I want India or Australia in our pool. Growing up in Australia, supporting the Australian cricket team is something that I've always dreamt of. But to then play them in a World Cup would be amazing,' he says. 'Also playing India in a World Cup in India would probably just about be the most incredible thing that you can do in any sport in the world, I would think. So I don't mind where we play, when India is playing at home, irrespective of the venue, it will be packed.'
