Firstly to close off my late night rambling with an example, which imo suggests it's a myth surrounding the physical make up of players at amatuer level including level 6. Our last game of the 2022 season we travelled to M&N. Sun was shining, on paper we had a fast class side out. Malton looked awful in the warm up. Their former prop come physio (who expertly saved our centres career earlier in the season, top man) was playing that day and their team looked like a mish-mash of young lads and big old boys that certainly looked nothing like the machines on the TV. Seventeen minutes in they were 22-0 up!!!! They slung it about, played some outstanding rugby and showed that looks can be deceiving. I don't think we have played ANY side last season where you would say are all in tip top physical condition, as it should be!
I do agree player numbers are down across the board. I really thought that after lockdown the other halves of our player base would be kicking the lads out of the door with said players skipping down the drive with boots over shoulder and beer tokens in hand, alas this has not been the case. The reasons for this are many and could be discussed for a long time. I think, to stop the rot we need to be radical and here is what I would do.......
Clubs bring in good incomes, Bar takings, Gate receipts, sponsorship and memberships, plus whatever they can make elsewhere with grants and so on. But, now where will most of this money be going? Gas bills to heat the club houses and power the showers and Electric bills for lights, floodlights and hot drinks/cooking. This means less money available for pitches, facilities, kit and a few "free beers" for the Lads. Also, how much revenue is lost from fixtures that are called off due to snow, frost, flood or bad weather? How much cleaning do we do of clubhouses and changing rooms from mud, mud and more mud? How are parents, particularly ones from poor backgrounds going to wash kits three times a week and dry them with energy costs so high? As Clubs we have less money than ever as such the product we can offer decreases in quality (I know there are some very wealthy clubs that this may not affect). Then there is the playing over and around Christmas and Easter a time of struggle for player availability. I would....
Start preseason in January, just after Christmas - Training only in Jan and Feb means no games on pitches in bad weather.
First games start in March - Spring, weather is better, lighter nights so less floodlight use opening up more useable training space, not as cold so less heating needed. This would save Clubs £000's
Games run in March, April, May, June and end mid July. - Just in time for summer holidays for families or kids that want to go to festivals. This gives 22 weeks for a fast pace league campaign, the options of Friday nights or midweek fixtures, Rugby in the Sun with BBQs and perhaps better beer sales. Ability to put entertainment on outside for families such as bands, bouncy castles.
July to Sept - Cup competitions / a REAL County comp with Yorkshire A being made of up of Otley, Harrogate, Huddersfield teams like that and Yorkshire B with teams like Heath, ilkley, Driff and Moortown (hehe)......This gives families a spectacle to watch that are a higher level, fun and doesn't impact league games. Also 7s and 10s comps.......
September to Jan - Cold weather, dark nights, Christmas breaks and so on.....no Rugby and a chance to rest. Bearing in mind that those not interested in a Cup or County Comp or 7s then have all summer to rest.....
