Everyday is a day for rugby union on The Roar, where the sport is celebrated and analysed and, above all, cherished by the faithful.
But this Saturday, March 26, the wider rugby community is being urged to come together online or with mates to celebrate their passion for the game on A Day in Union.
The celebration day is the brainchild of former coach and director of NSW Positive Rugby, Greg Mumm, along with friends who decided they’d had enough of the portrayal of rugby in Australia.
Mumm joined Brett McKay and Harry Jones on The Roar Rugby Podcast this week to talk about the initiative. You can stream it here or listen on the usual podcast apps.
“It’s a group of guys getting together who were all a little bit over the negativity in rugby a few years ago and deciding why don’t we get together on the same day and tell everyone how good rugby is,” Mumm said.
“I’ve been involved in a fundraising capacity through the NSW Positive Rugby Foundation so was talking to a lot of people about what was good about rugby, what maybe was not so good, and a lot of those people in those circles said with all the negativity in the game why don’t we get everyone to talk about what’s great about the game, all on the same day.”
Along with John Anderson, head of the rugby clubs in Victoria , and Peter Murphy replaced Mumm at NSW Positive Rugby, they decided to focus on the game’s positives.
“With the Wallabies and Super Rugby and Sevens and November tours and club rugby there are so many things in rugby where it’s so easy for people to talk about the differences, yet when to get down to the core of it and ask what they love about rugby it’s the camerarderie, it’s the inclusiveness,” said Mumm.
“It’s not the separation or disunity it’s the fact that it tends to bring people together wherever they are around the world and for whatever reason. In Australia we seemed to forget that for a while.”
Mumm said rugby’s many strands meant they didn’t have an AFL or NRL style Grand Final day where their game could focus celebrations. Instead they chose March 26 as a time when juniors and clubbies were starting to get pumped about their seasons, while Super Rugby was in full flow.
“When we first got the idea was when Covid was starting and we were worried about how was rugby going to get through this and get people back together and what role could rugby play in bringing people back together after Covid,” said Mumm.
You can check out the initiative on their website here.
Mumm wants the rugby community to use the day to share their passion for the game, and The Roar would love you to use the comments section here to tell us how you fell in love with the sport. What’s your rugby origin story?
“For me as a boy the rugby pitch was the most beautiful place in the school,” said Harry Jones.
“It was the most applause, the most attention (I love attention).
“Rugby was one of those things that was almost a miracle. You could run on the pitch the parents were there, Saturday morning as a teenager I liked the fact you could smash guys and it was legal.
“You were loved for doing the same things you were getting cuts with bamboo for at school.”
Mumm said rugby has given him an extended family.
“When I was training and coaching as well it was about the mates,” he said. “I coached for a long time to belong to something and my wedding had five people on my grooms party all of whom I played rugby with.
“The guys that still check in now to see how things are going, the first to ring me when I had my children are the guys I played rugby with.
“Other times when I did get ruled out of footy and went through a dark time trying to work out what it was I did after sport often it was rugby that kept you on the straight and narrow.,
“Rugby asks you to be the best version of yourself whether it’s player, coach fan or parent. The game calibrates people through the values of game to be the best version of themselves. That’s been important, not only in my life and hopefully, will have the same role in my kids’ life.
“This is why I got involved in the foundation because I want rugby to be around for my kids the way it was for me.
“That’s the shared value. You can put your boots in your bag go anywhere in the world and find a rugby club and find a family because you have that shared value and shared language – t’s a passport to travel, friendships, and good times.”
What does rugby mean to you? Give the podcast a listen and let us know in the comments.
Jockstar
Guest
Your in Canberra & RA mouthpiece with no knowledge of Sydney rugby. No idea
DJ
Roar Rookie
A great idea. I played contact sports, but never rugby. My love came from working with teams, players and coaches, and standing by the sideline at Manuka Oval watching the Brumbies early on. A good challenge for the Roar editors too in this. I don't want you to be fanboy/girls, but do often get the feeling that your headlines tend more to the negative for Australian men's rugby.
Brett McKay
Expert
The fact that you've missed a wide open goal chance to wax lyrical about grassroots rugby and why it means so much to you, and why you choose to connect to it above everything else, instead just continuing to churn out your usual mindless drivel says plenty as well, Jock...
JC
Roar Rookie
Hooper’s piece for A Day in Union: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=F1QrnEv58MA Eales and others have recorded short videos too.
Jockstar
Guest
The 4 people commenting says it all . The separation between the grassroots vs professionals.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
JC, you might not have played the game but you provide great and honest views. You are correct as the Roar Community is brilliant, I have played for the Canterbury under 20’s in NZ and and then in my early 20s had to retire, but you provide myself with balanced posts and learnings. Wether a person has played or not others still can learn from them in some cases even more, I like to hear from all levels of the Community on the Roar.
JC
Roar Rookie
Thanks, MK. I’ve never played but rugby has been a constant companion through the ups and downs of the last 30+ years. I’m very grateful for it — and The Roar community.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
A very happynappy Ken. :silly:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Brilliant JC… It is a sport that unites people no matter their background, you have given me more understanding about you and why you fell in love with the game. Thank you and keep up the passion! :thumbup: :rugby:
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
Well done Greg Mumm.
Ken Catchpole's Other Leg
Roar Guru
HappynappyKiwi?
Brett McKay
Expert
Love it! This is what I'm looking forward to, JC!
JC
Roar Rookie
Loving the positive vibes around Aus rugby, including this great initiative. Well done, Greg Mumm and friends. To share how I fell in love with rugby ... I had no exposure to it growing up at all. My family was into tennis and soccer, which I had no interest in. A couple of incidental brushes with rugby in my early working life in the UK led to me waking up early one Saturday morning in June 1989 to watch the first Test between the Wallabies and BILs. It was glorious — and it all made perfect sense — thanks to Michael Lynagh and co. Tried to follow rugby in the UK but it was a tedious, muddy business so I relocated to Sydney shortly after and have devotedly followed the Wallabies and Waratahs ever since.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I was just on the phone to a friend when you messaged Brett. He works for Sky News in NZ, he confirmed unlimited crowds for sports, concerts etc. They do have to be fully vaccinated which over 95% of the population are, so hopefully good crowds will turn out.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Apparently unlimited outdoor settings, which I presume means no restrictions on crowd numbers. This is on Stuff Rugby, I went onto the Government site and it said the same thing.
Brett McKay
Expert
Restricted capacity, I'm presuming?
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Just quickly on a side note, fans will be back for NZ games starting Saturday. Yes! Yes! Yes! I need to change my name to happy Kiwi. :happy: Now back to the this great podcast article. :thumbup:
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Geoff, I have listened to them all. I am a huge fan of the series, but this one with Mumm is one of my favourites. It would be awesome for him to be a Roarer to keep us updated about his objectives, and also progressions.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I totally understand your frustrations Malo, hopefully what Mumm is doing is a catalyst for change. RA need to engage with all levels of the game, grassroots is and always will be vital for the growth of the game as they are the foundation. We need to give more recognition to the parents and volunteers, they are who the kids look up to at young age.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
Same here Brett, as I am looking forward also seeing the stories. To include all aspects of the Rugby Community involving those that have not played the game, but still to provide their feelings about the game is cool. I would like to hear from those that have lost interest in the game, and what issues and answers they want to gain back their interest. I have spoken to parents who became frustrated and angry, as their kids were told that they were too overweight or too skinny to join a team. Some parents want their children to join for friendship and to fit in, as the kids are feeling that life is overwhelming. What Mumm is doing is terrific for parents and children to come together and share their experiences. Life long lasting friendships are made both on and off the field, this is something that I am proud of as an ex player. :rugby: