For a game that prides itself on camaraderie and inclusiveness – it’s not too long along that it was hard to find either of these things across the ranks of Australian rugby.
A quick stroll around rugby world and you would see disagreements between clubs and states, the professional and amateur games, states and Rugby AU, coaches and CEO’s, city v country and ‘rugby schools’ v non ‘rugby schools’, past players and current administration. The game seemed at war with itself, a Jekyll and Hyde show oscillating between a top down professional driven model, and a grassroots up game as it had always been.
We’d become just rugby…no union!
And then Covid hit, and the game had a catharsis moment as crises often create. For both the amateur and professional game – it just became about ‘getting back on the park’, getting back to your club, your mates and the sense of belonging that rugby provides, the part of the game we didn’t value enough until it was gone. We realised we had to bind together to survive, and by the game binding together again we realised what it was that rugby had lost…the union!
A Day In Union was born out of these times, a few rugby tragics conversing in secret under the blue lit glow of their zoom calls in Covid lockdowns, half of them in Melbourne which meant they had a bit more time than the rest of us to ponder these things in isolation.
Worried about the game, worried about our clubs and whether they’d survive, worried about the young men and women players, volunteers and fans. The more we spoke and the more we shared stories from our varied rugby lives, the more we realised that it was rugby’s ability to bring people together that made it special. From the bush to the beach, men and women, all shapes and sizes, young and old.
The game where you can pack a pair of boots in your bag and find a club and a family anywhere in the world. The game where you can attend the World Cup and be more likely to end up arm in arm singing songs with your opponent rather than dodging flares or running from riot police.
We soon realised that it didn’t matter how our professional teams were doing, we still loved the game and there was a chance other people did too, we just had to remind them of why we all fell in love with the game in the first place.
And so it was that A Day In Union was formed, a simple vision to bind all rugby people together to celebrate why we love this game.
To bind people together in shared values, friendship and fun. To bind all levels of the games together, across all ages, all states. To include the new, the old, those that can play, those that never could play but tell everyone that they could. The fans, the volunteers, the mums and dads. The Scottish, Irish, Kiwis, Kenyans and over 120 other countries that play Rugby Union.
(Photo by Will Russell/Getty Images)
Other sports have their focal day, the AFL or League Grand Final where the whole country stops for one game. Us, we scatter like a World Cup tour bus in the pubs of Cardiff – splitting off to Sevens, 15s, club rugby, Super Rugby, July Tests, spring tours.
So – on Saturday March 25th, and henceforth for one day each year, let’s bind together for A Day In Union. Let’s share images and stories, crystal clear or somewhat blurry memories about our great game and remind each other why it is we love rugby.
On the weekend of Saturday March 25th, share a favourite rugby moment on your social media channel with the hashtag #ADayInUnion and follow the tag to join in the celebrations of everything we love about rugby.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
True Muzzo. :thumbup:
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
As it is Tim, there’s a awesome team in heaven now!!
Muzzo
Roar Rookie
Great article there Greg & yes there are some very interesting stories to tell in regards to the game. IMO, more in the amateur era, as in truth, with the game becoming professional we have seen so much greed & corruption from a certain level of the game. I’ve always said, the amateur era, was more open, more fun & being so much more direct with each other. I’ve observed some awesome achievements in the past, like Kevin Skinner softening up the 56 Bokke front row in the 3rd test At Lancaster Park, where he switched from one side of the scrum to the other. Keith Murdoch’s known strength on how he ‘ clutch started’ a mates car, with the towing rope tied around his arm whilst locking his arm in the window frame of his Ford coupe. Things like that do bring back memories of what the game created.
Riggers
Roar Rookie
Hi Bobby, It has changed, super Rugby has been great for a couple of years but no-one seems to know about. This season has been great, despite the Aussie teams coming up short against the Kiwis, but it’s happening. There is, slowly, getting more media coverage in Australia due to Eddie, Lions tours, and two world cups. Tell your mates to watch a few games and get on board
Riggers
Roar Rookie
Awesome Greg, This couldn’t be more true. The Super Rugby has been great, despite the Aussie team’s struggles, but they are there and will crack the kiwis a few times this year. Club and junior rugby is awesome. Great initiative
Bobby D
Roar Rookie
DJ, I like your attitude which will allow you to enjoy the season. Flowing Rugby is hard to beat and I hope we are able to see more of it which will highlight the skills level of players even more so. Waratahs for me but slow start not helping. Southern Districts in the Shute Shield.
DJ
Roar Rookie
Cheers Bobby, I see some of those things too, and they've annoyed me in the past but I try not to focus on them anymore - they are really small parts of the 80 minutes and week. When I talk about SR, I try and focus on the athleticism, skills, things that make the game different and great against the others that we are competing with, and also the good things my team does in the community. Things like best things since sliced bread reporting on Jorgensen and Lynagh for eg do give me a niggle sometimes. Nearly peak Rugby Zen though :laughing: ! The players in this SR competition are as good as any around the world. Good luck for your team this week and the season (except if they are playing the Brumbies)
Rugbynutter
Roar Rookie
On Suaalli sign him up and John’s is wrong if thinks will head back to league as spent more years playing union then league and overseas clubs and what they can pay can’t be matched by any nrl clubs. Sadly that is where RA would eventually lose him ie cashed up Japan or French rugby clubs. Hopefully he stays until 2027 World Cup.
Bobby D
Roar Rookie
DJ, I have to be honest, the game IMO, is difficult to enjoy at the moment with the current attitude of WR with their rules/regulations, TMO involvement and questionable decision-making none of which take the viewing public into account. Referees lack discretion, blow their whistle incessantly and simply want a tick from their boss post-match. Not good enough. This game needs proper promotion and is not delivering. Only the die-hards are kept happy and I don't know how. Very few of my friends discuss RU matches anymore, the game here is in big trouble.
DJ
Roar Rookie
I've been thinking about this a bit over the past few days. I hope that everyone takes the opportunity to just watch and enjoy the game. Don't harp on ref decisions or perceived injustices. Enjoy the game that both teams are playing, congratulate the winners and remember that without refs we wouldn't have a game. It's an opportunity to reset how we talk about and share with others our great game.
Greg Mumm
Roar Rookie
With a Lions tour and home Rugby World Cup coming up I think we have a great chance to re-engage with the whole community and get the game back in the hands of everyone.
Tim J
Roar Rookie
I will always support you my big hairy bikers (Harry) :stoked:
Harry Jones
Expert
Greg, this is a wonderful concept and I’ll support it. Harry
gatesy
Roar Guru
We can get the west of Sydney back. Have patience, my friends.
gatesy
Roar Guru
Beautifully written, Greg.
Wizz
Roar Rookie
When I grew up it was right thru the suburbs those clubs are all defunct now . Demographics changed the elites didn't want the Westies playing it anyway and social engineering changed the culture where league was smart enough too flourish .Never get the west of Sydney back but can still poach young league players with cash on the bank that's the best we can hope for
Geoff Parkes
Expert
Well done to you Greg, John, Justin (and anyone else I've missed) Terrific initiative and I look forward to it growing, year on year.
RayinSydney
Roar Rookie
Well happy days, my twins have just finished their first ever Rugby training, got their uniforms and loved it, Union is the go for them I hope, if not , I’ll probably still love them anyway, we’ll see. We done for the article Greg,
fiwiboy7042
Roar Rookie
And what better day to start that Day in NSW then on election day?? :silly:
DJ
Roar Rookie
Rugby Union - great game, athletes, supporters and clubs.