Burnage Rugby
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Slaughter & May report on governance of the RFU
Below is a link to the Slaughter & May report to the RFU council, the reaction to which will have an impact across the amateur and professional game.
Download the Slaughter & May report here.
Burnage RFC's views are ultimately represented by the RFU Council, via Lancashire County. Paul Lawson is our Lancashire Representative and is happy to take any views forward to them.
In Paul's words, 'The actions taken against the report's recommendations are crucial to the future of OUR game. The RFU Council will need to sanction any recommendations. The main thrust of the recommendations is that Rugby Union is still being run as an amateur organisation after 16 years of professionalism. This I think is true and has been very comfortable for some people for some time. Eventually the bubble has burstand change is needed. However the recommended changes would shift power from the majority (amateur players), to the few (professional clubs). This is a fundamental step and may not be what we want in the future. My personal view is that we must have room for both types of game (amateur & professional), but if the 2000 amateur clubs relinquish control it will be gone for ever. I believe that a bottom up investment approach through schools and amateur clubs is the proven way to develop the game. This does not happen as effectively in England as it does in the Southern Hemisphere. The 2011 World Cup proves this. Perhaps we should ask them how they do it, before jumping into the river. One way or another a lot of people will have their noses pushed out. I therefore believe we a responsibility to our members as follows:- 1) Bring to their attention the existance of the report so they have an opportunity to read it.2) Offer a forum to receive comments and questions about the report and its recommendations. I am happy to do this.3) Represent our members by collating their comments and presenting them Lancashire in a timeframe to be effective.'
Paul can be contacted on pe.lawson@ntlworld.com
Burnage RFC's views are ultimately represented by the RFU Council, via Lancashire County. Paul Lawson is our Lancashire Representative and is happy to take any views forward to them.
In Paul's words, 'The actions taken against the report's recommendations are crucial to the future of OUR game. The RFU Council will need to sanction any recommendations. The main thrust of the recommendations is that Rugby Union is still being run as an amateur organisation after 16 years of professionalism. This I think is true and has been very comfortable for some people for some time. Eventually the bubble has burstand change is needed. However the recommended changes would shift power from the majority (amateur players), to the few (professional clubs). This is a fundamental step and may not be what we want in the future. My personal view is that we must have room for both types of game (amateur & professional), but if the 2000 amateur clubs relinquish control it will be gone for ever. I believe that a bottom up investment approach through schools and amateur clubs is the proven way to develop the game. This does not happen as effectively in England as it does in the Southern Hemisphere. The 2011 World Cup proves this. Perhaps we should ask them how they do it, before jumping into the river. One way or another a lot of people will have their noses pushed out. I therefore believe we a responsibility to our members as follows:- 1) Bring to their attention the existance of the report so they have an opportunity to read it.2) Offer a forum to receive comments and questions about the report and its recommendations. I am happy to do this.3) Represent our members by collating their comments and presenting them Lancashire in a timeframe to be effective.'
Paul can be contacted on pe.lawson@ntlworld.com
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It is vital that the amateur clubs maintain a place at the top of the RFU table, albeit in a reduced role.
The vast majority of coverage is toward the professional game who seem to think they can ride roughshod over clubs like Burnage.
A compromise has to be found, quickly, and it is important the structure of the ruling council is made up of parties from both sides of the game, interwoven with "independent" directors who can represent the views of all.
With the new Cheif Executive in place hopefully English rugby can now move to a position off the field where the players - both professional and amateur - can get back to where they belong on the field.
"The grassroots need to be run by the professional clubs"
This quote is attributed to Steve Diamond the Sale Sharks director of sport by Gavin Mairs, Rugby News Correspondent of the Telegraph on 30 December 2011.
Staggering arrogance because the professionals are struggling to remain in control of their own game.
It is vital for the future of "our game" that every Club, no matter how small, in England has an equal voice. Our route to that voice has always been via our representations to Lancashire and hence to HQ.
The thought of a cabal representing the 15 to 20 full professional Clubs (or are they becoming Franchises ??) running the amateur game in England makes no sense and could lead to some form of schism at National level.
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