Sports - Why clubs fail to field U23 sides

This week the Caltex League rugby season kicked off on Friday without the Navy team taking part. The Navy, it is understood is unable to keep to their commitments as they are involved in the front line of duty.

The offer to play in segment A of the League tournament has not been taken up by other teams who played, division “A”, rugby last year. They it seems prefer to continue in segment B. As the new format was proposed there were comments of dissatisfaction voiced by the clubs who are in segment B. I suppose they now realize what is in store if they were to accept the opportunity to play in segment A. It is better to been segment B and play with teams of equal strength than to be in the A segment and be defeated by huge margins. The kit super eight would have given these teams a gauge of the standard they are in. Performance with likes will give greater opportunity to progress. The new talent will not be battered and bruised to the extent of causing mental blocks and retardation.

At the top level of the league there will be five teams that would battle for supremacy. The players will have a tough time as they would not have time to relax. The task to be in peak from and give the best will be the greater demand. Will this provide better rugby for the spectator? Will this lead to better performance as we approach the ASIAD? If the answers to both are positive the game will benefit. The sponsors will be happy. The needed impetus will then be present.

Kandy will not have a game this week, as they were to play Navy, the rest of the matches would have given an indication of what is to come. At least three of the five teams in segment “A” have the guidance of foreign coaches. Will this mean more and better rugby? The game is being taken by the clubs and the expectations are high.

An issue that worries me is the inability of some of the clubs to field an under 23 side. The under 23 matches are to be played prior to the main game. However there will not be matches in some instances as clubs do not have in their roll adequate numbers of players of this category. What has happened to all those school leavers? There have been much funds spent on development. The numbers playing the game has increased as per statistics presented. Then how is it that leading clubs do not have an under 23 side. If we plan to be among the best in Asia in the next ten years there has to be greater emphasis on youth participation. This is not only in the interest of the national team it will also help the club with their progress. The ray of hope is the decision of the SLRFU to provide financial incentives to clubs that play an under twenty three side. This will help the clubs to meet some of their expenses. The issue is whether this will be adequate. The congress gave an opportunity to the stakeholders to voice their views. Much came about and much has been done. Now it is time to have another mini brainstorming session. To discuss the ways and means to have more teams playing less under twenty three rugby.

It is not only under 23 there has to have greater emphasis. The under nineteen, or is it under twenty level and performance at school level should be encouraged. At the under twenty level we should be able to stay equal with most teams in Asia. Therefore more exposure would mean greater input to the National cause.

This will give more courage and incentives to players as they continue the involvement in the game.

Opportunities are like a combination lock. If you know the combination and open it there will be much to explore. If not you remain where you are.