EDINBURGH EVENING NEWS REPORTS

BILL LOTHIAN


ONE of the leading benefactors in Scottish domestic rugby insists that before the game's potential can be fully realised north of the Border, clubs have to be allowed to grow and eventually compete alongside pioneering pro teams.

Martin Krajewski, who sponsors Watsonians through his recruitment firm, Joslin Rowe, insists development is being hampered by reluctance on the part of the governing body to hand over control to entrepreneurs and allow them equal opportunities in the pro game.


"There is money out there for clubs if only the SRU would let it happen through showing more latitude, that would encourage more people with special skills to come in," said Krajewski. "There is a clear conflict of interest involving governing bodies like the SRU owning and operating pro teams exclusively and that must be addressed before Scottish rugby moves forward."

Mr Krajewski hinted strongly that the SRU was using Edinburgh, Glasgow and Borders as a tool for emotional blackmail in retaining the services of players whose over-riding ambition was to represent their country and who were liable to feel hampered in that goal by moving away.

These were allegations laid against footballing counterparts in the 1880s when professionalism developed.

Krajewski added: "The problem for the SRU is that rugby is now an open game. That should mean players being freer to move around picking up ideas and experience before returning to represent their country under ample legislation put in place by the International Board demanding they be released from clubs for Scotland commitments.

"Instead, we have players effectively handcuffed to 'clubs' with no permanent home and no history. Players are effectively just earning a living as opposed to developing their careers further.

"I'm very sad for players who haven't got enough time left in a game where another ten years of professionalism in its current form will see them miss out entirely on what could be a really exciting time, in contrast to plying their trade in front of crowds barely into four figures.

"That's the real price of refusing to let clubs be financially independent and yet it could be so different if Scotland took a just leaf out of Argentina's book.

"Argentina should be applauded for being prepared to let their (international) players travel and this course has seen the Pumas charge up the rankings ahead of Scotland. Yet for them, distance is a problem - adopting a similar approach would leave Scots much closer to Murrayfield and there is money out there to support a smaller Premiership here.

As things stand, the Celtic League isn't maximising its potential because of the stifling approach by the governing bodies, who can pull players out of key matches as they wish, affecting continuity.

"That is why television companies and sponsors are currently holding back - the inevitability of watching 2nd XVs at key times is too much for them. However, if the teams were given autonomy then the new money that comes in would raise standards and in turn attract more attention kick-starting the financial revival.

"Where do existing clubs stand in this? I'm in favour of more amalgamations so that clubs fit into the pro game while recognising the difficulties attached to, say, Heriot's getting together with Watsonians or Kelso and Hawick linking up. But mergers are the reality and, with new investors, extra teams could be created to provide competition for the three existing professional outfits.

"My hope is that murmurings around the Scottish club scene along the lines of the current move to streamline the Premiership from 12 teams to ten will quickly be followed by a cut to eight or six. That's the direction to be heading in because the pro teams could then face competition from within, which will again help to drive standards up."

According to Krajewski, the impending RBS Six Nations Championship which starts with France visiting Murrayfield on Sunday could be one of the most important ever for Scottish rugby.

He adds: "With everything geared to supporting the national side we will find out over the next six weeks just how healthy the game is in Scotland. I don't expect any mind-blowing results either way but France, England, Ireland and Wales will be too strong in all departments for the side put out by Frank Hadden [pictured left]. That leaves Italy to be visited in Rome where they are either very good - or the opposite."

But if Krajewski is apprehensive for Scottish rugby in the short term he believes it could be a case of the darkest hour before dawn. "Through my association with Watsonians, where I feel I am deriving benefits, I am convinced there is a better understanding between the SRU and clubs.

"There is a freer flow of information and clubs like Watsonians and Glasgow Hawks are adapting although the Premiership needs to be stronger because I can't see how long term how the present system can be sustained. That can be done with more release of players from the pro teams back to the Premiership."

The message from Krajewski is that traditional outfits need to be in position to deal with the consequences of a structure he feels is fundamentally flawed. I believe there is a substantial amount of money available for club rugby in Scotland. It would be interesting to see how, given the chance to compete on a wider front, many would fare.

"Also, this would help create the necessary balance between the national side and bread-and- butter competition, important in terms of attracting new players and fans."

This article was posted on 1-Feb-2006, 13:34 by Hugh Barrow.