Constantly we are told that the game of rugby needs to be played attractively and that winning on a regular basis will mean more people will attend Super Rugby games.
Well, I live in regional Queensland and all of that is just part of the problem.
The other part for the general public is the total lack of real promotion of the game by the senior administrators. In NSW and Queensland, whilst our kindergarten school age children get to see a Wallabies player every now and again, we never see anyone from the board of the ARU or the QRU.
They are like the phantom ghost who walks.
Why don’t these boards take a leaf out of politicians’ books and actually hold meetings outside of Brisbane and Sydney. It would be an opportunity for the members of the board to mix and meet with local administrators of the game, as well as the volunteers that referee, man the drinks stands etc.
These people are the lifeblood of the game yet no one on a board comes out to see them and discuss the game or the trials and tribulations that flow with running the game in those areas.
Take for example the Condamine Cods, who have done a massive amount of work over the past few years providing an outlet for drought affected farmers and in recent times have performed outstanding feats to lift the spirits of the community after the floods in Queensland.
Yet no one from Sydney or Brisbane could be bothered to come out and put on a few sandwiches and a cup of tea to meet with these people and say “thanks” from the rugby hierarchy.
Here they are keeping the rugby fire burning in extraordinary circumstances yet the high flyers will not even give them a day or two of their time. The cost of having a QRU or ARU board meeting in Toowoomba and then driving out to Condamine would be peanuts in real terms, yet from a PR exercise it would be a fillip for the community in the region.
They could have last weekend coupled this with the annual Downlands/Grammar match, which attracts people from northern NSW and right across Queensland.
They do not have to dominate events but they could have come and rubbed shoulders with people who have now pulled through the drought and flooding rains as well as trying to keep the game of rugby union relevant in their particular area.
What do we get though?
Nothing. As I say if either of the ARU or the QRU boards made a regular annual visit to mix it with the common man perhaps they would make people feel included and not tolerated in the game.
Maybe then also by feeling more included the people from the regions will return the favour by making sure they attend at least one weekend Super match by adjusting their local draws to include a Super weekend bye, so that everyone has the chance to go to Brisbane to watch the Super footy.
From little things big things grow. I hope the ARU and the QRU boards are listening. It still isn’t too late to do something on the Darling Downs to keep up with what other sports have done in recent times. A bit of real effort would be greatly appreciated by regional folk.
We understand the efforts our players make and we appreciate what our local administrators do, but it seems the further up the pecking order you go in rugby, the more out of touch with the human side of the game people become.
Venture out people, you may be pleasantly surprised with what you see and hear, as well as learn that what you are doing presently isn’t working as well as you think.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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