Very interesting article and highlights some of the issues facing club rugby, Now this is not a dig at the CEO, but he has openly stated that he wishes to increase the playing numbers by some 40%, he has also openly said that there is now more games being played than ever before, however there has been more games cancelled this year than ever before, something does not add up, maybe his lack of understanding of the local game is a factor,
For the past 2 years DCAL have funded development officers throughout Ulster, that has abruptly come to an end, no forward thinking for the "what if" so now UR announce they have a third of £175k grant if you want to volunteer with most of the money being spent on supporting the volunteer
. UR have been keen to point out that they have spent a vast amount on money in developing the game in Donegal, that's great, bringing the game to lots of kids in Donegal, however with the clubs having been ignored, there very well may be no clubs for these kids to go to as all bar one are struggling to fulfil fixtures and , and with each cancelled game bringing a fine, along with insurance, and branch fees , these clubs are dying on their feet.
Part of the "KPIs" was to have two clubs in Ail 1a, this was three years ago and all bar Hinch have the players and the support to be there, but this has been done solely by that club, and well done Hinch, the rest of the clubs are struggling all with no meaningful support from UR , week in week out academy , development and professional players sit in the gym being Molly cuddled, not being allowed to play rugby by the gurus who believe, that they are athletes not rugby players.
Clubs ( mainly Snr and a few Q1) also have to take some responsibility , for years they have sought out coaches on the coaching merry go round paid them stupid money only to be the 1st xv coach, not a club coach, and to feck with the 2nd XV etc. some of these guys were getting a bloody good wage to coach 4 hours a week and a few hours on a Saturday. Good job if you can get it.
I went and watched Instonians on Saturday, one word to describe what I watched " woeful" no direction, players not aware of what their roles and responsibilities were, no leadership, no common sense and the basics of rugby forgotten, maybe this was down to coaches not letting the players play, and micro managing everything from the sidelines. I am afraid I do not see Instonians being a Snr team for a few years, and maybe only if the powers to be get rid of the all Ireland in its current format and go back to a bloody good ulster senior league with the best of Q1 in it, Bangor, Portadown, CIYMS , Instonians, all previously snr clubs, even Ards may win a game.
By the way, Dundalk were just as bad.
Club rugby is in the poo and badly needs a hand. Spin and bullshît unfortunately will not help it.
Again , I go back to Hinch, why are they successful , why can a village team
get out 7 teams every week, why do players have the pride they have in that club. Maybe Shane should visit this club, if he knows where it is.