The killing fields of Sri Lanka Rugby
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Is the current load too much for the school children - File pic
Children should not work on the fields but on dreams. The theme of World Day Against Child Labour 2019: Twisting the theme around Rugby in Sri Lanka I wonder: whether players should work on professionalism as in the brutal demands of some in the world of commerce or should players be enjoying playing while getting paid.
Sri Lanka beat Chinese Taipei convincingly after having gone down in the first match against the Philippines. Many were happy because we won. The question is what lessons does it teach for our future.
This tour too had its share of side dishes. Once again it is the house keepers that players seem unable to resist. This time it was not the body that attracted but the wristwatch removed and kept out so as not to be an hindrance; when cleaning. I was told by reliable sources that there was adequate briefing and education on expected norms of behaviour. This column also understands this player has been pulled up for indiscipline a few times while being in school.
Philippines topped Division 1 of Asian Rugby while Sri Lanka saved their skin by being able to remain in Division 1. Sri Lanka did so with a new but bubbling side of amateur professionals while big guns remained at home. So funny when these days every time you turn a leaf in a newspaper or switch a TV or Radio channel there is a lot of talk about country first. Yet given the opportunity of representing the country players opt out for various reasons. This is interpreted by those involved as being led by non cooperation by the clubs who have contracted the players.
Is this lack of a value system not isolated to club rugby but leading from the must win culture at all levels of school rugby as well as the culture of ‘does not matter how’. A coach, as well as those pushing school rugby at all age groups want a win and not the enjoyment of the game. That is the starting point of making semi professionals of schoolboys as against making them enjoy a dream. Here is where they become burdened players on the field as against children who enjoy a dream. Missing the passion of playing for school and stepping to life firmly believing rugby taught them life skills.
This attitude escalates to club rugby where again it is a win that coaches as well as managers of clubs seek. As in schools you will push a player without rest and recovery or a niggling injury. Because they are needed for completing the equation where the wanted answer is wins.
There is grumbling when players do not turn up for national duty. They will fall in line with the requirement for club duty. It is the club that pays them and looks after their needs, even when they are injured.
How do you react to this challenge. I call it a challenge and not enforcement of rules and regulations. We have been taking about this for years. But we adopt a reactive approach and shout that we will punish the players as well as the clubs. Then there is nothing that happens till around next year. What is needed is a proactive approach. Take the lot who played this recent tournament. Sri Lanka Rugby should enter into a tripartite agreement involving player club and Sri Lanka Rugby. Half of the contract cost is paid by Sri Lanka Rugby and the other half by the club, you bind them for national duty or you do not that half. This will give some clubs greater access to a talent player pool. That is being proactive. This is needed if we are serious about winning Division 1where you will find Malaysia as well as Singapore: a tough ask.
Going further, it is about instilling a culture of ‘love the game and like the game’. You got to stop assessing junior coaches for the performance of the team but should be on the performance of players. It is about teaching them who they will become and not coaching as what they are. That is a tough challenge for coaches who are valued on their wins or sins.
Does anybody think you cannot do this? Most will not accept as the values are different. More precisely there is no value but a trophy at the end.
The culture that has to be in is one where at the formative stage you coach for the passion that the players as well as you have for rugby. It is about helping the young to realise the natural skills they have. On the other hand, is this competition to win at all costs killing the spirit of the game from a young age? Is it stifling the development of skills, values and, by and large, players themselves. If so is this a field of rugby spirit or a killing field of that game.
Vimal Perera is a former Rugby Referee, Coach and an Accredited Referees’ Evaluator IRB