Rugby woes have to be addressed swiftly
View(s):The Schools Rugby season is almost over other than for the final rites of a diluted Schools Knockout. In the midst of Schools games a new club season is getting into place with the sevens played in two legs. This was much diluted than the schools knock out as clubs kept jumping in and out of the bed of Sevens rugby. Reasons for clubs opting out of the Sevens were attributed to injuries. The games itself were ragged and it was because of the many service B teams that numbers were found to fill the rounds.
Kandy won the first leg but opted out of the second. CR and FC who did not play in the first leg but won the second. CH and FC were placed overall winners.
If there is a genuine concern for the game something has to be done — on two counts. First, we have to look closely at player welfare, which is a familiar topic of concern. Elsewhere but not in Sri Lanka.
Second, we must concentrate on the entertainment levels of the game. As far entertainment is concerned, we need to decide how this game of ours is going to be played. Are you can in a position to have guys firing hot dogs and beers out to the crowd? Otherwise there is going to be nothing at club level. Even this will be a far cry to draw spectators as the game itself provides no excitement than to be reminded that so much is spent on club rugby. Compare to Schools rugby where attendance is because of identification which relates to passion. The club Sevens is an indication of the lukewarm support that is around club games. In the midst of a sagging interest it is difficult to understand the logic of having a club sevens in the midst of a key weekend of school rugby. There was no way the crowds would have shifted from school to sevens and justify saying the crowds were divided. The entertainment will or should be addressed by the clubs. The SLR must set the environment.
The first aspect of Injury affects the game as this results in the stoppages that are long and not only is it diluting the strength of the game as a spectacle, but it is having a major effect on the number of players suffering injury. I think these two things go hand in hand.
Last week I watched the Trinity Kingswood game on broadcast. I kept hearing the message that the injured player should go off get an head injury assessment as he can come back within ten minutes as the law allows. The law does not allow : other than for elite rugby games approved by World Rugby. Also this was an under 19 game and recognize and remove is more applicable.It was the perfect example of what I am trying to say. Player Welfare takes precedence. It is not only coaches and supporters who are eager to get boys on the pitch. The wrong message on broadcast sends a wrong signal which works against the game. On the other hand there is improvement on the comments on high tackles but less evident on knowledge in other aspects of foul play. The comments on law accompanied by not reading a Referee signal add more fun when listening. Those who may not understand the intricacies it is a different signal.
Another issue I have seen is the small country syndrome. A situation promoted by our small island status where a cultural claustrophobia sets in. When a story breaks large, the rugby divides neatly into three camps: those with it, those against it and those who fit into; I care if it benefits me. Either way the bickering bristles with frustration. Because they cannot escape they blame somebody else. The common cry is that the referees are against us. Then that the schools organisation is not organised. Then those who suck to justifying if and when it suits them.
The game needs to entertain to draw crowds unlike in schools rugby as it is reliving or possibly imaging back to what you missed . Hence there are benefactors who are engaging themselves to support the school. Schools also have various groups such as “class of xxx”. The hype to create attraction has a stage that is already there. This is supplemented by social media groups that spread the word to their members. Some of whom are in the apex committees of old boys.
On the other hand when you crown overall winners a side that did not win a single leg but placed fourth and second is there any message sent to rugby lovers to come and watch club rugby. It is good for the morale of a club that was sagging and swinging low. The expected new rugby council is stuck as the AGM is on hold. The main issue is that the audited financial statements were not received . The point that has to be pondered is why is it delayed . More often it happens when the Auditor General has not received adequate substantiation for questions he has raised.