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« on: August 23, 2020, 05:10:25 PM »
Slightly off topic but relevant non the less.
The RFU seem to be either tone deaf to (arrogant) or completely misinformed regarding (poor representation) the views of clubs and the feelings of rugby clubs. I was going to say grassroots rugby clubs but decided that the term is unhelpful. We are all just rugby clubs which sit at different levels in the league structure. The fact we are at level 5,6,7,8 or whatever instead of 1,2,3 or 4 is irrelevant.
Let's compare two clubs...both only have one senior team, both only have one pitch. The first plays in front of 10,000 people and is on TV, the second plays in front of 20 people. The first has no minis and juniors, the second (despite the cost) valiantly runs minis and juniors for the community it resides in....with one pitch it's a struggle but they do it. The first club provides entertainment to many people on TV and sends players to the England squad...the second club gives boys, girls, men and women an opportunity to drag themselves away from the TV and perhaps aspire to play for the first club or England. So probably one is Premiership and one is Yorkshire 5.
I am in no way trying to suggest that one club is more important than the other....the point is that it is a symbiotic relationship which requires all clubs to coexist for the betterment of the game of rugby.
Why then does club one have such a loud voice and club two is treated with such utter contempt?
Come on RFU, in general you have been a star performer throughout the pandemic, your coms have been good as has your support for the club's who need it most... Please as we move into the next stage of restart, consult directly with clubs regarding what should happen next.
All clubs have elected Boards or committees who represent the views of that particular club. Write to each Board/committee and ask their views. The league restructuring demonstrates how bypassing elected bodies deprives you of any mandate. You say "players want X" but what you don't say is that only about 10 players partook in the consultation!
So my view is:
a) either tell me it's your organisation and this is what's happening without pretence of consultation.
Or
b) undertake a genuine consultation and implement the outcome even if it doesn't suit.
At least if you're honest and it's a)... we can all choose to join or form another organisation.
Thank you for anyone who could be bothered to read this!
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