Think and play the game in the right spirit
View(s):The Under 18 schools Sevens kicked off rugby for the year 2013 and the drawbacks for the year started from that point. It is not only the on-field unhappiness but also the off-field court proceedings that is threatening the tournament. This columnist has come to understand that action has been filed allegedly by parents from Vidyartha College on the basis of unequal treatment and punishing students who have had no involvement with the incident. It is reliably understood that the court has issued notice for 53 respondents to appear in court a day before the Under 20 Sevens i.e. February 15.
Neither should rugby grounds and occasion be taken as an outing for hooligans to bring in outside issues to start a brawl
Another outstanding grievance is the complaint by well wishers of D.S Senanayake College which was inquired at the Attorney General’s Department. This is a case where the allegation is that a player form St Anthony’s Kandy, who was sent off was released to play without convening a properly constituted Disciplinary Inquiry Panel. It is now being seen that the issue has not been dealt with through the proper administrative process and excuses seem to be dragging them more and more into the quagmire.
It is therefore not strange to hear ‘condemning’ of officials from day one. This goes on year in and year out and with little hope of things getting better. This requires for those in charge of the officials to be strategic in appointments rather than dabbling in the politics of giving chances. When there are paid coaches the amateur referee has a tough job. The game is coached by those who have gone professional and sometimes imported. The meaning of professional in this case is that they are paid and are virtually on a full-time basis. Compare this with the referees who are amateurs from whom you expect the world. Despite being paid a match fee, they depend on another job for a living and therefore in my book they are amateurs.
Parents, Old Boys and spectators have a great influence on children’s enjoyment and success in Rugby. All children play rugby because they first and foremost love the game – it is fun. It is important to remember that however good a child becomes at rugby within a school it is important to reinforce the message that is positive encouragement will contribute to: Children enjoying rugby. In a school ground amidst young there should not be a place for vulgar behaviour, use of abusive language and the spirit of alcohol getting the better of people who should set an example. Neither should rugby grounds and matches be places and occasions for hooligans to bring in outside issues to start a brawl. These must be taken note of and the culprits whenever possible removed from the grounds. If this does not happen things may get worse and the game will suffer. When the governors of rugby talk of the Spirit in the context of the principles of rugby they talk a phrase of enjoyment and entertainment and the spirit is not what comes in a bottle.
Rugby is determined to be as safe as it can possibly be; there has never been a time when there was more focus on safety than now. This is internationally accepted and is in spotlight with the local rugby authorities too. That is the physical aspects and the game on the field that is being concentrated. That is as good as it comes and also addresses the issue of incorrect practice in training and fitness and the supplement issue that has cropped up from time to time.
The polluting of the young school child’s environment has not been thought of as I feel this is an area of deep concern when it comes to creating the safe environment. It is necessary that the full grown bodies realise that though the size of the brain is a low percentage in relation to the body weight: used effectively the contribution it can make is enormous. So when you are among children think of the standards you set by your behaviour.
Let us watch rugby while we set the standards for those who want to be part of a great sport that really believes in the pillars of integrity, passion, solidarity, discipline and respect on which the game has been built and played.
It is the responsibility of all who are involved to get the best from the game that makes a sport of controlled physical aggression to teach values while enjoying and being entertained. Do not get the feeling of we have spent so much and need to win and behave in a fashion that does not do justice. The school season has started and there will be rugby almost every week. So let the game go on and in the correct spirit. Stop the nonsense before it becomes a cancer.
For over a century Sri Lanka has had rugby. The schools rugby is as old as that. Every season the boys are made to believe what they worked so hard was actually worth something – Don’t spoil it work towards being “the patron saint of the stiff upper lip.”
- Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, coach and Accredited Referees Evaluator IRB
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