P1 forum statement
JUNE 17, 2011
The P1 forum – which represents the Premier 1 clubs – has released the below statement on this week’s goings on at Murrayfield;

Looking at the bigger picture in Scottish Rugby

P1 forum believes club rugby must drive the game forward in Scotland

The group of clubs in Premier 1 believe strongly that club rugby, all our clubs not just P1, must play the leading role in securing the future of the game. Much has been reported in the media over the last month about the problems facing Edinburgh and Glasgow, the two professional teams, and how their performance affects Scotland. This however ignores a greater problem facing our game.

We need to focus on the work of our clubs in generating more players and raising standards of play. Whilst we have become better at recording our playing numbers, probably the reason why they show an increase, the truth is fewer teams are turning out on a regular basis than used to and this has to be a concern. We need to get playing numbers up. 

We also have to create an improved pathway system, which offers more opportunity to a much wider group of our better youngsters to keep them in the game and give them a greater variety of coaching and training. This also gives coaches more chances of developing their skills and we need to make sure that happens too as Scottish Rugby needs a steady supply of experienced coaches for all levels, including the professional game.

The links with the professional teams must be developed. One of the reasons both teams are poorly supported is that club members feel disengaged from them; they have no real relationship with either team. This is understandable since half the country is disenfranchised from the pro game.

Understandably the economics of rugby in Scotland have determined we have just two professional teams currently based in Edinburgh and Glasgow. However it is important that the two clubs represent the whole country and we have advocated strongly that Glasgow Warriors should be the Warriors and be the pro club for Glasgow and Caledonia districts while Edinburgh should be the Knights (or whatever) and the club for the Borders and Edinburgh Districts. Already the P1 clubs have agreed to align their selections in the first pro draft to reflect these associations.

We also want to see a full return to Age Grade District Championships from Under 15s to Under 18s and furthermore a talented Hawick youngster might play for the Borders Knights U16s team while his Stirling counterpart would be in the Caledonia Warriors equivalent. That way the player can play for his club (or school) and in his Pathway or District squad a relationship and an identity with his pro club becomes further established.

There has been a long-standing debate about the arrangements for Academy players, again we are pursuing the argument that they should be placed and playing regularly with   clubs who would manage their programmes whilst receiving additional specialist support through the pro clubs. Our best young talent need to learn about being part of a team and the responsibilities which go along with that. 

All of these measures help to build close links and identity with the professional sides as well as strengthen the club game. Of course it means that clubs will have to step up to the challenge of raising their standards but it does give us an opportunity to identify and have a stronger relationship with each other. If we can get crowds up at club games with better marketing and improved playing standards then hopefully closer links and ties with the pro clubs will see increased attendances there.

Premier 1 is the level below fully professional rugby in Scotland and we need to make sure we do our job well. It all makes for an interesting challenge as we seek more places in the hugely beneficial British and Irish Cup and with Spain and Portugal and others putting clubs in the Amlin Cup we must now look at that for our League and Cup winners.

Scotland is a small country but within rugby there is a wealth of talent and experience in clubs. We need to make better use of our skilled volunteers in coaching, business and marketing – do we have a choice ? We certainly need a structure and system that works for Scotland and should stop trying to impose models from other countries where the culture and factors are different to ours. Surely we have the creativity and knowledge to develop something of excellence which saves and grows our game?

The new Chief Executive will have to understand these issues, and I think we might want to take this opportunity to freshen up the Board too. These are exciting times really and we do have an opportunity to put club and professional rugby into gear. If we get it right we’ll have a healthy, vibrant game and our National side will benefit too.

This article was originally posted on 17-Jun-2011, 19:31 by Hugh Barrow.
Last updated by Hugh Barrow on 17-Jun-2011, 19:33.