I am fairly sure that everyone is (sadly) aware of the chaos that Welsh rugby appears to be sat firmly in the middle of, at the moment! Whereas all of us want to see national teams that are 100% competitive and successful, many of us realise that the domestic game is in dire need of some TLC! Now I can assure that I am no builder! In fact, my wife will gladly testify that in my case, the term DIY, can be interpreted as, “Destroy it yourself!” That said, even I recognise you cannot put the roof on any structure, until the foundations are soundly in place and maintained! If we continue with this analogy, then the amateur and semi professional game, together with the four professional sides are the absolute foundations that lead to the success of our national teams!
If we continue in this mode, failing to agree a financial deal which will allow the funding of our four professional sides, together with the structure needed to consolidate and develop the semi professional and community game to the maximum effect; then the future looks bleak indeed! It is estimated that there are around 90 players across the four Regions, out of contract at the end of this season. We have already lost two promising players, choosing to move away from Cymru, in order to protect their future! With the afore mentioned number out of contract, it doesn’t take a genius to calculate a potentially catastrophic scenario here!
Maybe it is about time that the WRU grasps the fact that the old cliché that we hear in January, “the rugby starts next week,” is in fact totally inaccurate! For those of you reading this and rugby supporters across the regions and community clubs; the rugby starts in September, where a love of the game and for some, future professional development is nurtured and provided with a context to build future internationals!
With this in mind, the OSC , together with other three Regions who form the Joint Supporters Group (JSG) have been campaigning for prompt action on behalf of the WRU, in order bring some order the present chaos and agree a financial settlement for our professional sides. Without this being resolved, Toby and other coaches cannot hope to build for next season and for future development!
Please support the campaign! Ein Gêm Ein Dyfodol! Our game our Future!
Keith
Secretary
Ospreys Supporters Club
#SaveOurGame #EinGêmEinDyfodol