Hope for the Clubs
The leagues started in England in 1987, eight years later the game became open, “seamless” we were told. That as we know has not happened. The only news we hear from Twickenham is about the elite side of the game.
All rugby men realize that a successful England team is essential for the good of the game. I am not against elite rugby, far from it as it is the only way forward, and we MUST have a great team-good luck. BUT do not forget the rest of the game.
Schoolboy rugby appears to be in good hands but again the only interest is in the top end of that game. However my concern is to enhance and re popularize the clubs, the grass roots, to be frank 95% of the game.
What can we do? Well as long as we have leagues and they are here to stay, the first XV, sorry the first 19 or 22 players in all our clubs receive overwhelming support. Fair enough but regrettably rugby played as a recreational form of exercise appears to be in decline. We are told from “up high” that there are 9,000 new players to the game, well no club in this vicinity has any evidence of that.
Further, the clubs below the national leagues are not playing every week. Many clubs have gone 3 or 4 weeks without a home game. Clubs cannot survive without regular home fixtures. Without home fixtures the whole momentum of the season falls apart. Any treasurer will tell you that home games are the essence of sustaining your finances.
The greatest concern is to make sure all clubs have a chance to survive, but without regular home games, many clubs are in serious peril and may not survive, but what can we do?
Here’s a thought. At the beginning of each season the national cup competitions should be split into geographical groups of 4. I have only worked locally but have made up a number of groups. In the
Junior Cup:
Anselmians, Hoylake, Wallasey and Oldershaw.
Ellesmere Port, Port Sunlight, Parkonians, Prenton.
In the intermediate Cup:
Chester, Birkenhead Park, New Brighton and Liverpool St Helens.
The Leagues of 4 that will make 3 home and 3 away local derby’s. The winner going through to the next stage of the knock out cup. So the first 6 weeks of the season will be filled with six local derby’s.
Very little travel, good for the team, good for the bar and so getting the season off to a flying start.
It is up to every club to make the most of this mini-league by arranging lunches, attracting better crowds, contacting former players who will reminisce not only with their former club mates but also with the opposition of yesteryear. There is a possibility of a curtain raiser, played by juniors in your club- great for them and their parents.
You see the problem with Cup Competitions is that 50% of the clubs are out in the first round, very often having traveled a relatively long distance. The players are down, the early enthusiasm has gone and the club starts the season financially broke.
I have spoken to most of the local clubs and have received an encouraging response. I know every club must look after themselves but if the clubs are given some lead from the top and given the belief that they are important, this will give the game the boost it needs at club level and give the long suffering RFU credibility within the clubs.
If you would like to discuss this in detail I am available most of the time.
With that elevating thought, I wish you well.
Joe Pinnington.
0151 342 7773
07774 618796
joe@tcfshowroom.com