If you were head of the IRFU....

The Lost Sheep

What would you do to improve rugby at any(all) levels in the country?
Change competition structures/increase playing numbers/marketing etc. Try get more into the clubs game and get those who attend provincial pro sides week in week out who are not club members into clubs even just as pavilion members..

Stan27

I was actually thinking about this a while back.
I think schools in Ireland are very important. So try and make the schools cup bigger. Think the best way to do this is have more competition. For examples say some towns in Ireland have 2 boys schools. Have those 2 schools join for the rugby. Will help find more players that could go further and give smaller schools a chance.
And put ail on tv ( even 1 hour per week) and make it cheaper to go to a match. I was a student (and they wanted €10. ).

The Lost Sheep

Stan27 wrote: »

I was actually thinking about this a while back.
I think schools in Ireland are very important. So try and make the schools cup bigger. Think the best way to do this is have more competition. For examples say some towns in Ireland have 2 boys schools. Have those 2 schools join for the rugby. Will help find more players that could go further and give smaller schools a chance.
And put ail on tv ( even 1 hour per week) and make it cheaper to go to a match. I was a student (and they wanted €10. ).

Perhaps combined schools teams in areas where youths rugby dominates/schools rugby not as strong entering cups would be an idea and this still allows the clubs have teams and players benefit from extra tv.
Disagree on making it cheaper in most cases as the money in is key to clubs income every season and the money goes straight to clubs rugby funds and helping fund the youths/minis/buying jerseys etc
AIL on tv would be great but simply a youtube channel with highlights of all games and extended highlights of a chosen 2/3 would suffice IMO

Stan27

income every season and the money

Yes the schools thing I thinking would be a good idea. I agree with what you say about the money. But I was a ucd student going to a game in belfield and a student deal would have been cool. It was my first ail div 1 match (vs lansdown) and I honestly thought there would be a lot more people there. As it was a great standard. Even €10 and a cheap pint at the student bar after might get more numbers.

Also to benefit irish rughy connacht is very important. But they are getting going now which is great. I think in 3 years they will be able to compete nearly on a equal level with the other provences as lots of lads will go there for game time and they have a lit if young talent coming up

thebaz

maybe turn division 1 of the AIL into an elite / Premiership style for the top 10 clubs - try showcasing all the talent , that just can't make into Provincial teams - have it semi pro , with maybe 10 top clubs - one relegation - try and get attendences up for the club game as well as media interest , whilst showcasing all the talent from various inter pro squads and the expanding academies, and thus keeping the many who don't make it from the academies interested and still competitive, far too few players make it from the club game today into inter pros - its like your past it at 24.

CatFromHue

I'd change very little to be honest bar make the north have the same tv availability as the republic and bring it earlier in the season when irish players have their contract talks.

I think they're doing a good enough job as it is.

bilston

Scrap the AIL below Div 1B. Its a waste of time and money.

its_phil

bilston wrote: »

Scrap the AIL below Div 1B. Its a waste of time and money.

Tell that to UCD and Terneure who have done back-to-back promotions.

justsomebloke

At Provincial games have 'Do you want to start playing Rugby or want to find a local club' stands.

A lot of people who go to Provincial games wouldn't exactly know how to get into local Rugby, so take the guessing out of it and have people tell them how they can.

In turn the IRFU needs a nationwide Club openday, it has to be a single date so it can be advertised on a National scale and the clubs can then try and sell the hell out of them selves.

---

Take away some of the emphasis from schools Rugby and add it to club Rugby. ALOT of kids don't go to rugby playing schools, continue to undervalue them and they'll just leave the system.

---

coaching, coaching and coaching and not for the players. The IRFU need set up continual weekly regional workshop sessions for coaches of all levels to make sure the coaches are up to scratch.

---

The IRFU have to start sending some of our fringe players away to clubs where they will get first team Rugby (be it home or abroad). Some players just aren't getting the game time they need to develop and a season or 2 away may help to kick start a career that otherwise may not have happened

bilston

its_phil wrote: »

Tell that to UCD and Terneure who have done back-to-back promotions.

And tell it to the dozens of other clubs who waste away money hand over fist travelling from one end of the country to the other for very little reward.

Podge_irl

bilston wrote: »

And tell it to the dozens of other clubs who waste away money hand over fist travelling from one end of the country to the other for very little reward.

The divisions below 1B could be fairly easily made provincial based with a competition between the four winners for promotion. Would save costs anyway, though obviously would lower standards somewhat.

The Lost Sheep

Stan27 wrote: »

income every season and the money

Yes the schools thing I thinking would be a good idea. I agree with what you say about the money. But I was a ucd student going to a game in belfield and a student deal would have been cool. It was my first ail div 1 match (vs lansdown) and I honestly thought there would be a lot more people there. As it was a great standard. Even €10 and a cheap pint at the student bar after might get more numbers.

Also to benefit irish rughy connacht is very important. But they are getting going now which is great. I think in 3 years they will be able to compete nearly on a equal level with the other provences as lots of lads will go there for game time and they have a lit if young talent coming up

Some clubs like university clubs possibly could do differently like you suggest but as I said the gate is key to finances. University clubs wont have the support base of community based clubs with the nature of how they operate so will not great significant crowds to games compared to other clubs

thebaz wrote: »

maybe turn division 1 of the AIL into an elite / Premiership style for the top 10 clubs - try showcasing all the talent , that just can't make into Provincial teams - have it semi pro , with maybe 10 top clubs - one relegation - try and get attendences up for the club game as well as media interest , whilst showcasing all the talent from various inter pro squads and the expanding academies, and thus keeping the many who don't make it from the academies interested and still competitive, far too few players make it from the club game today into inter pros - its like your past it at 24.

Possibly but how would you determine the top 10 clubs for it to work you would need at least 1 side from each province but semi pro? Clubs wont have €€€s to do that. While yes numbers making it through to the professional squads from the AIL who didn't make an academy is not high and its difficult to say its like your past it at 24 is 100% wrong.

bilston wrote: »

Scrap the AIL below Div 1B. Its a waste of time and money.

I see where you are coming from but disagree completely. Perhaps we could reduce the numbers slightly but think we need more than 20-24 clubs in an All Ireland League.

its_phil wrote: »

Tell that to UCD and Terneure who have done back-to-back promotions.

Or Nenagh/Bruff/Cashel/Sligo/Navan/Boyne all community based clubs who got to the AIL on the basis of strong underage systems and in the main are doing very well in AIL

justsomebloke wrote: »

At Provincial games have 'Do you want to start playing Rugby or want to find a local club' stands.

A lot of people who go to Provincial games wouldn't exactly know how to get into local Rugby, so take the guessing out of it and have people tell them how they can.

In turn the IRFU needs a nationwide Club openday, it has to be a single date so it can be advertised on a National scale and the clubs can then try and sell the hell out of them selves.

---

Take away some of the emphasis from schools Rugby and add it to club Rugby. ALOT of kids don't go to rugby playing schools, continue to undervalue them and they'll just leave the system.

---

coaching, coaching and coaching and not for the players. The IRFU need set up continual weekly regional workshop sessions for coaches of all levels to make sure the coaches are up to scratch.

---

The IRFU have to start sending some of our fringe players away to clubs where they will get first team Rugby (be it home or abroad). Some players just aren't getting the game time they need to develop and a season or 2 away may help to kick start a career that otherwise may not have happened

agree with all that

bilston wrote: »

And tell it to the dozens of other clubs who waste away money hand over fist travelling from one end of the country to the other for very little reward.

See where you are coming from but standards are higher with an All Ireland League and the players prefer a national league over provincial league as there's more prestige to playing a national competition over a provincial competition.

Podge_irl wrote: »

The divisions below 1B could be fairly easily made provincial based with a competition between the four winners for promotion. Would save costs anyway, though obviously would lower standards somewhat.

But what of Connacht they've 4 senior clubs. 3 will be 1B clubs next season with Sligo middling in 2B. Where would Sligo play? While there would be more derbies you would have issues with varying standards between provinces. Leinster would be ok as there would be enough sides in 1A/B and 2A/B for 2/3 strong even enough divisions but no so much with the other provinces

s8n

....but your not

Larbre34

Expos of the local Clubs at Provincial games is an excellent idea. Even a few thousand new subscribers and volunteers at club level would be a real shot in the arm.

You wouldnt have to be head of the IRFU for that though, the Provinces could do it themselves with their club reps and community officers.

Podge_irl

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

But what of Connacht they've 4 senior clubs. 3 will be 1B clubs next season with Sligo middling in 2B. Where would Sligo play? While there would be more derbies you would have issues with varying standards between provinces. Leinster would be ok as there would be enough sides in 1A/B and 2A/B for 2/3 strong even enough divisions but no so much with the other provinces

Join with Ulster?

I didn't give it much thought to be honest! You make a rather inescapable point, but the costs (and time) involved in Division 2/3 clubs travelling all over the country is an issue. And if people are serious about increasing support of the clubs, anything approaching a derby is always better.

thomond2006

Here's a mad idea.

An AIL season ticket that allows you to go to any match on any weekend.

.ak

thomond2006 wrote: »

Here's a mad idea.

An AIL season ticket that allows you to go to any match on any weekend.

Not a bad idea. The provinces could sell a special 'grassroots' version of the standard season ticket that would also allow them to see all AIL matches for an additional price.

thomond2006

.ak wrote: »

Not a bad idea. The provinces could sell a special 'grassroots' version of the standard season ticket that would also allow them to see all AIL matches for an additional price.

That or a city based one for the city clubs: Limerick season ticket to cover YM, Garryowen, UL Bohs etc, Cork season ticket to cover Cork Con, Dolphin etc

It might work for someone who wants to get into the AIL as a weekend hobby but isn't sure what club to support or someone who just wants to watch some rugby on the cheap most weekends.

Another idea to get people interested in the AIL is to give each provincial season ticket holder a few free passes to AIL matches each season, or a few free passes to an AIL club of your choice i.e. the closest one to you.

The Lost Sheep

Podge_irl wrote: »

Join with Ulster?

I didn't give it much thought to be honest! You make a rather inescapable point, but the costs (and time) involved in Division 2/3 clubs travelling all over the country is an issue. And if people are serious about increasing support of the clubs, anything approaching a derby is always better.

Im involved in a division 2 club and while we've been senior a considerable time now the time/costs are not too much
Joining Ulster wouldn't be feasible with travelling. Munster/Leinster would be better for all Connacht clubs but just not feasible.
I know what you're saying about derbies as they bring in the €€€s but its other things like playing more junior rugby on a Saturday especially Social rugby which would help with crowds turning up for AIL on a Saturday and involving underage sides in senior home games and bar deals/food deals/live music etc to help get parents of underage teams to stay around for senior games etc

English Lurker

I would go the AP clubs and the Welsh regions and ask if they might not find room for a few Irish provinces in the LV Cup. It's more money for the Provinces and more gametime for fringe players.

I would also try to find a way to improve the structures by which talented young coaches can emerge, prove their stuff and go on to be contenders for provincial roles. From the outside, it mainly seems to consist of guys going abroad, guys going straight into coaching at the top level and a whole lot of Kiwis. That doesn't seem ideal to me. I don't know what the solution is.

Finally, I would try to find a way to get AIL games on TV.

justsomebloke

A slight alternative to that would be a discounted '5 match pass' ticket book where you can use the tickets in any venue up to say a maximum of 4 in one ground, meaning you at least try and see what other grounds are like.

Other things would be get a ground that could hold at least a couple of 'local' derbies on the same day for a super Sunday and have a heavy focus on a family day out with BBQ, beers, facepainting, etc to try and focus on people who might not usually go to games

thomond2006

If I was head of the IRFU I wouldn't blackout Irish players who had to leave Ireland to have a viable career from Ireland duty. It seems that if you're not an established player (Bowe or Sexton for example) then you've disappeared.

As an example of where this goes too far: Ulster's third choice scrum-half Michael Heaney was called up late to the emerging Ireland squad over Grenoble's first choice scrum half James Hart. Gimme a break.

irishbucsfan

If we are going down the "AIL needs exposure" route, then it would be nice if the provinces were able to set up double headers with AIL games before home games.

But I'm not really sure that the AIL really does need exposure to be honest, or if the type of exposure being talked about in this thread would make much of a difference to attendance at AIL games at all. The only thing I can think of that I'd think would legitimately increase the AIL's attractiveness to casual fans would be if it ran at different times to the provincial season.

shoutman

More friday night games for AIL games. Friday night lights is a great way to start off the weekend, and I'd say on average these games probably have larger takings for the clubs involved, if not on the gate, than definitely in the bar afterwards.

I'd hope that if you had all big games, derby clashes etc. on a friday night, than you would have more of a chance of getting a regular friday night live game on tv. Realistically it's hard to get a slot on a saturday with the other sports out there who play on saturdays. I know that you get heineken cup & rabo games on a friday, but might have more of a chance in getting ail there.

Alternatively I see no reason why IRFU don't stream more live games online.

The Lost Sheep

thomond2006 wrote: »

Here's a mad idea.

An AIL season ticket that allows you to go to any match on any weekend.

That would be good but would require more games on Friday nights and slightly staggered kick off times on a Saturday. You would only get 2 games a weekend considering all but a few games are played Saturdays at 2.30

thomond2006 wrote: »

That or a city based one for the city clubs: Limerick season ticket to cover YM, Garryowen, UL Bohs etc, Cork season ticket to cover Cork Con, Dolphin etc

It might work for someone who wants to get into the AIL as a weekend hobby but isn't sure what club to support or someone who just wants to watch some rugby on the cheap most weekends.

Another idea to get people interested in the AIL is to give each provincial season ticket holder a few free passes to AIL matches each season, or a few free passes to an AIL club of your choice i.e. the closest one to you.

The last idea is a great one. If each season ticket came with pass to AIL/local junior club to try ensure link between all provincial fans and the clubs that are the real base of the sport

justsomebloke

English Lurker wrote: »

I would go the AP clubs and the Welsh regions and ask if they might not find room for a few Irish provinces in the LV Cup. It's more money for the Provinces and more gametime for fringe players.

As such I think the inclusion of our 'A' teams in the british and Irish cup mostly fills this void for us. Ye there mightn't be as much money as the LV cup but I think it's role probably gives more fringe players game time then if we were to try and compete in another 'proper' competition.

English Lurker wrote: »

I would also try to find a way to improve the structures by which talented young coaches can emerge, prove their stuff and go on to be contenders for provincial roles. From the outside, it mainly seems to consist of guys going abroad, guys going straight into coaching at the top level and a whole lot of Kiwis. That doesn't seem ideal to me. I don't know what the solution is.

Ye I think coaching is a critical issue. If we continually bring in foreign coaches at the top level it's a big flash advertisement that our lower level coaches aren't getting the proper supports to excel and obviously this means grass roots players aren't getting the coaching they need

English Lurker wrote: »

Finally, I would try to find a way to get AIL games on TV.

truthfully it's hard enough to get the Pro12 successfully on TV, I just don't think AIL has a market to make it profitable for TV companies to show it.

Podge_irl

Friday night games would be pretty difficult for players who have actual jobs...

stephen_n

Stan27 wrote: »

I was actually thinking about this a while back.
I think schools in Ireland are very important. So try and make the schools cup bigger. Think the best way to do this is have more competition. For examples say some towns in Ireland have 2 boys schools. Have those 2 schools join for the rugby. Will help find more players that could go further and give smaller schools a chance.
And put ail on tv ( even 1 hour per week) and make it cheaper to go to a match. I was a student (and they wanted €10. ).

This seems counter intuitive, pushing the schools more at the expense of youths rugby, would if anything undermine the clubs. Developing a stronger youths tournament would in the long run benefit the clubs far more as it would facilitate a transition, from underage to junior rugby far more. The schools outside the existing rugby schools, would present a far greater challenge to develop, as they wouldn't have teachers and coaches in place, to generate a strong rugby ethos and already have links to GAA and soccer. A stronger youths competition though could easily translate into a larger grass roots following of the game. Look at clubs like Naas with 400+ underage members and the dividends that will have for that club.

The Lost Sheep

stephen_n wrote: »

This seems counter intuitive, pushing the schools more at the expense of youths rugby, would if anything undermine the clubs. Developing a stronger youths tournament would in the long run benefit the clubs far more as it would facilitate a transition, from underage to junior rugby far more. The schools outside the existing rugby schools, would present a far greater challenge to develop, as they wouldn't have teachers and coaches in place, to generate a strong rugby ethos and already have links to GAA and soccer. A stronger youths competition though could easily translate into a larger grass roots following of the game. Look at clubs like Naas with 400+ underage members and the dividends that will have for that club.

I can see the point in working at the schools but agree the clubs have a base of players already and have more coaches etc to hand so put resources into them.
The standard of youths rugby is always improving and at the top end you have some very strong teams but as the competitions don't have media coverage, don't get crowds of schools games it is not regarded as highly. Leinster do things very well with their mix of competitions and every year the cup finals are played in Donnybrook which is great. Connacht play all their finals in the Sportsground and Ulster play most in Ravenhill. Munster slightly different and few underage finals played in Thomond but theres plenty in Musgrave
Naas, Navan all are showing dividends of work put into youths structures. Navan are winning huge amounts at underage at provincial and national level.

English Lurker

justsomebloke wrote: »

As such I think the inclusion of our 'A' teams in the british and Irish cup mostly fills this void for us. Ye there mightn't be as much money as the LV cup but I think it's role probably gives more fringe players game time then if we were to try and compete in another 'proper' competition.

I don't think you can ever really have enough game time for fringe players; I certainly don't think the Irish are there yet. Another 6 games for them seems ideal. Certainly the English clubs can balance a full A league and the LV - and make no mistake, the LV is mostly fringe (until people smell blood). Not like the two competitions are mutually exclusive.

truthfully it's hard enough to get the Pro12 successfully on TV, I just don't think AIL has a market to make it profitable for TV companies to show it.

Can't really argue with that - still, given a magic wand, I think it'd be good.

Zzippy

I'd give all 4 provinces equal central funding. No treating one province as lesser than the others while paying lip service to "four strong provinces". No more central contracts being used as a way to boost certain provincial budgets. No "ban" on selecting Irish players based abroad. Doing something to address the huge loss of players after school/underage level.

ArmchairQB

Would be fairly well known that Leinster and Ulster would be able and prefer to operate independently of Union and would thrive Munster possibly as well only province that is being propped up is out west. \if \leinster weregiven a free reign Sexton would still be with us a few raised eyebrows at length of IRFU contracts for the likes of DOC & POC in Munster and in fairness to the additional one yera for BOD but they are all commercial decisions by IRFU.

If I had my way each province should be given a reduced set amount towards running costs and extra costs towards developing mini, youth, schools & club rugby and be allowed do what they want under certain restrictions regarding amount of NIQ's but not as stringent as it is now. I would support Connacht more than the other provinces as it would be a development province with the extra wealth in other provincal academies being spread around where young very talented players can get into playing top level rugby as soon as possible

Podge_irl

It is certainly not "fairly well known" that Leinster and Ulster would be able and prefer to operate independently. I've seen nothing to suggest they would be able to even fund themselves.

ArmchairQB

Podge_irl wrote: »

It is certainly not "fairly well known" that Leinster and Ulster would be able and prefer to operate independently. I've seen nothing to suggest they would be able to even fund themselves.

Leinster would be more than able to fund themselves and they have lobbied in previous years to be allowed ppay higher wages aetc to attract and keep players. Leinsters new offices and facillities were mostly paid for from private benafactors. Maybe your not in fairly well known group

The Lost Sheep

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Would be fairly well known that Leinster and Ulster would be able and prefer to operate independently of Union and would thrive Munster possibly as well only province that is being propped up is out west. \if \leinster weregiven a free reign Sexton would still be with us a few raised eyebrows at length of IRFU contracts for the likes of DOC & POC in Munster and in fairness to the additional one yera for BOD but they are all commercial decisions by IRFU.

If I had my way each province should be given a reduced set amount towards running costs and extra costs towards developing mini, youth, schools & club rugby and be allowed do what they want under certain restrictions regarding amount of NIQ's but not as stringent as it is now. I would support Connacht more than the other provinces as it would be a development province with the extra wealth in other provincal academies being spread around where young very talented players can get into playing top level rugby as soon as possible

None of the provinces would be able to or want to operate independently of the union.. All provinces have in some form or another a big dependence on the IRFU.

Zzippy

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Leinster would be more than able to fund themselves and they have lobbied in previous years to be allowed ppay higher wages aetc to attract and keep players. Leinsters new offices and facillities were mostly paid for from private benafactors. Maybe your not in fairly well known group

While Leinster do generate a good amount of income themselves, there is no way they could completely fund their operation independently. Lobbying to be allowed pay a higher wage to players (some of whom are already on central contracts and not paid for by Leinster, so it's just the additional money Leinster would be paying) is not the same as having to pay the whole salary of those players themselves, and having to fund their entire squad, training faciities, management etc without any central funding. Leaving aside the fact they are a branch of IRFU so never going to happen, they certainly don't generate enough independent income to do so.

The international game funds the provinces in this country, they would not survive and be able to compete otherwise.

Podge_irl

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Leinster would be more than able to fund themselves and they have lobbied in previous years to be allowed ppay higher wages aetc to attract and keep players. Leinsters new offices and facillities were mostly paid for from private benafactors. Maybe your not in fairly well known group

Leinster would not be able to afford a squad of near-enough 23 full international players on their own. Perhaps in the years they win the European cup but as that's not a regular occurrence... Leinster have lobbied to top up central contracts, which is not even remotely the same thing. If they could really afford all these higher wages you'd see them bringing in higher quality NIQ players.

Leinster's new facilities were mostly paid for by one private donor. So what? Relying on benefactors is not a sound business model.

ArmchairQB

Back in my box then!

Thud

Zzippy wrote: »

I'd give all 4 provinces equal central funding. No treating one province as lesser than the others while paying lip service to "four strong provinces". No more central contracts being used as a way to boost certain provincial budgets. No "ban" on selecting Irish players based abroad. Doing something to address the huge loss of players after school/underage level.

scrap schools cups and set up a proper underage club infrastructure and league.
Younger player would then have an allegiance to a club and the play one or two games in the Junio/Senior cup and then get knocked out scenario would be gone

phog

ArmchairQB wrote: »

Would be fairly well known that Leinster and Ulster would be able and prefer to operate independently of Union and would thrive Munster possibly as well only province that is being propped up is out west. \if \leinster weregiven a free reign Sexton would still be with us a few raised eyebrows at length of IRFU contracts for the likes of DOC & POC in Munster and in fairness to the additional one yera for BOD but they are all commercial decisions by IRFU.

If I had my way each province should be given a reduced set amount towards running costs and extra costs towards developing mini, youth, schools & club rugby and be allowed do what they want under certain restrictions regarding amount of NIQ's but not as stringent as it is now. I would support Connacht more than the other provinces as it would be a development province with the extra wealth in other provincal academies being spread around where young very talented players can get into playing top level rugby as soon as possible

There isn't a hope in hell that an Irish province could operate independently of the IRFU nor is there evidence that any of them would wish to.

19543261

justsomebloke wrote: »

At Provincial games have 'Do you want to start playing Rugby or want to find a local club' stands.

A lot of people who go to Provincial games wouldn't exactly know how to get into local Rugby, so take the guessing out of it and have people tell them how they can.

This. Even if a person wasnt interested in playing, going to just one small game ought to be enough for him/her to know how to apply. Needs to be in people's faces.

The Lost Sheep

Thud wrote: »

scrap schools cups and set up a proper underage club infrastructure and league.
Younger player would then have an allegiance to a club and the play one or two games in the Junio/Senior cup and then get knocked out scenario would be gone

Wouldn't scrap schools cups but adapt their structures. Agree those in rugby schools need an allegiance to clubs but scrapping schools cups isn't way to go.

stephen_n

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

Wouldn't scrap schools cups but adapt their structures. Agree those in rugby schools need an allegiance to clubs but scrapping schools cups isn't way to go.

Combining would be a better way to go!

Malmedicine

Podge_irl wrote: »

Join with Ulster?

I didn't give it much thought to be honest! You make a rather inescapable point, but the costs (and time) involved in Division 2/3 clubs travelling all over the country is an issue. And if people are serious about increasing support of the clubs, anything approaching a derby is always better.

The problem that is Sligo aka the most isolated AIL team in Ireland. Minimum 90 min drive to any other AIL team, making derbies difficult (Ballina unfortunately still junior), making Friday Night Matches impossible not withstanding the facilities, and then the costs of transport, accomodation etc.

The Lost Sheep

stephen_n wrote: »

Combining would be a better way to go!

Even if it was that all schools games were played by the end of march so that everywhere in April the players in schools could go back to clubs to play cup competitions.. Virtually none of the main clubs in Dublin City field teams at all age groups(from u13/14 to u18/19) for several games every season which is a shame

Malmedicine wrote: »

The problem that is Sligo aka the most isolated AIL team in Ireland. Minimum 90 min drive to any other AIL team, making derbies difficult (Ballina unfortunately still junior), making Friday Night Matches impossible not withstanding the facilities, and then the costs of transport, accomodation etc.

I know that. Connemara when senior were same but what can you do to improve things for them? Too good to play junior and not enough clubs nearby. They're still doing v well and have decent underage teams getting players through to senior set up.

stephen_n

They could play the schools cup from Sept - Jan and run the club competition at the same time, with the top 8 from each comp going into a combined competition played at weekends only from Jan-March. The next 8 from each competition could go into a plate. The existing schools competition and it's history could be maintained in each province with clubs getting involved and hopefully getting more recognition from it.

rockbeast

Zzippy wrote: »

Doing something to address the huge loss of players after school/underage level.

This.

The one thing that got me into rugby as a kid was going along to watch the aul lad play for a couple of years - he was a 34/35 year old prop and I was a 5/6 year old kid.

Some may say a player is not worth spending time or effort to retain in a club if he'll never be "top level". That's short-term-ism to me. Imagine what his future kids could be like...

PS I was below-average as a player but am a big contributor to Leinster and Ireland in other ways. Maybe my son will be great, maybe not. He'll certainly attend rugby games and maybe get to love being a below-average player like I did too:)

rockbeast

As an addendum to that I should say that it can be quite painful to be smashed by a 23 year old "gym-bunny with a point to prove" No.6, when you are the wrong side of 30 and playing J3s for the social aspect.

It is a problem for RU. If you're not committed fully(ie conditioned) you can get hurt.

It's not a turn up with your boots type of sport. Maybe if the IRFU committed to 7s it would become more acceptable to play - sorry, but I discount the mixed summer games:D

The Lost Sheep

stephen_n wrote: »

They could play the schools cup from Sept - Jan and run the club competition at the same time, with the top 8 from each comp going into a combined competition played at weekends only from Jan-March. The next 8 from each competition could go into a plate. The existing schools competition and it's history could be maintained in each province with clubs getting involved and hopefully getting more recognition from it.

I dont think that would work with a combined competition. Would rather see schools and clubs competitions run as they do now but all finish slightly earlier in season and in late March/April a competition for schools and clubs players can play together and the likes of Lansdowne/Bective/Wesley/Terenure/Marys(just using Dublin as example) can play a league cup competition with 2/3 games. Players still can play with the schools in JC/SC and everything that surrounds that but also can play in a competition for a club team to help keep ties between them and a club

rockbeast wrote: »

As an addendum to that I should say that it can be quite painful to be smashed by a 23 year old "gym-bunny with a point to prove" No.6, when you are the wrong side of 30 and playing J3s for the social aspect.

It is a problem for RU. If you're not committed fully(ie conditioned) you can get hurt.

It's not a turn up with your boots type of sport. Maybe if the IRFU committed to 7s it would become more acceptable to play - sorry, but I discount the mixed summer games:D

Disagree with you on that. 7s isn't a turn up with your boots type of sport either...

Stan27

Zzippy wrote: »

I'd give all 4 provinces equal central funding. No treating one province as lesser than the others while paying lip service to "four strong provinces". No more central contracts being used as a way to boost certain provincial budgets. No "ban" on selecting Irish players based abroad. Doing something to address the huge loss of players after school/underage level.

With regards the after school part, when I was in 6th year 4 years ago we all played and loved it. Playing with your friends was great Craic. Though after that a lot of us stopped. For me I had to work weekends to keep me in college (and bad ankle) but for most it was just that rughy is a contact sport and you can't work if your in a cast etc. just the nature of the game. Lads getting sick of being broken up. Few if them started playing te gaa. It's physical but less chance of injury.

stephen_n

The Lost Sheep wrote: »

I dont think that would work with a combined competition. Would rather see schools and clubs competitions run as they do now but all finish slightly earlier in season and in late March/April a competition for schools and clubs players can play together and the likes of Lansdowne/Bective/Wesley/Terenure/Marys(just using Dublin as example) can play a league cup competition with 2/3 games. Players still can play with the schools in JC/SC and everything that surrounds that but also can play in a competition for a club team to help keep ties between them and a club

The issue there, would be players getting pushed out when the schools players join up, so the guys committed to the clubs through out the season end up feeling they are not good enough and giving up.