Post by kp on Feb 21, 2014 12:31:25 GMT
Whilst I can understand the feeling behind the recent rants, and some of it is fair, I think it is only fair that I make a reply for some of those players that did not deserve the rant. At the end of the day I can see both sides of this and I think sometimes that we as players do not appreciate that a lot of supporters have put years into the club and want o see it thrive. We should have the integrity to leave the shirt and club in a better condition than we found it
Like it or not, our club is going to have to adapt its training, and this is something Sven and I will be talking about with the club.
We have number of first team players who come from University over quite long distances to play, it is impossible for them to train. We also have a number of people that commute regularly and simply cannot make training, even if they wanted too, I include myself in this. We also have a lot of people with young families and commitments at home.
I also hear there are a lot of Ofsted inspections and parent teacher meetings…..
Times are different for young people now and demands have changed, a fact that I sometimes think is forgotten, this should no means be an excuse for players, but for some it is too difficult to commit as long as they would like, workplace and external demands are different from years ago. If I use my example, 18 months ago I could train and play and commit hours to rugby with no pressing demands on my shoulders, now with work, commuting and other relationships I have had to stop training, I still commit every Saturday and put in work that many others won't see, my lack of training is not a lack of commitment, but a life balance, and the same can be said for others.
There was a time when there was a constant influx of players from schools that could supplement training numbers and allow the days where a club could put out 8 teams. Sadly these days are gone, schools for the most part no longer play rugby and so now some young men may never experience rugby unless they have family or contacts at a local mini and junior set up, either that, or you attend a private school where the vast majority of schools play rugby. There should be a real fear at the RFU of rugby returning to the way it used to be associated, a posh boy's game. This is where they should be sending their time, not on working out why 19-24 year olds playing the game are disappearing, but why 8-19 year olds are not experiencing the game!
Having said all this, I know a number of people do not fit into these categories and all I can do is ask them to think about their level of commitment, at the end of the day you play with your friends, it is not the club, the coach or the supporters you let down the most, it is the guys that you will put your body on the line for on the pitch- your teammates- your friends.
Like it or not, our club is going to have to adapt its training, and this is something Sven and I will be talking about with the club.
We have number of first team players who come from University over quite long distances to play, it is impossible for them to train. We also have a number of people that commute regularly and simply cannot make training, even if they wanted too, I include myself in this. We also have a lot of people with young families and commitments at home.
I also hear there are a lot of Ofsted inspections and parent teacher meetings…..
Times are different for young people now and demands have changed, a fact that I sometimes think is forgotten, this should no means be an excuse for players, but for some it is too difficult to commit as long as they would like, workplace and external demands are different from years ago. If I use my example, 18 months ago I could train and play and commit hours to rugby with no pressing demands on my shoulders, now with work, commuting and other relationships I have had to stop training, I still commit every Saturday and put in work that many others won't see, my lack of training is not a lack of commitment, but a life balance, and the same can be said for others.
There was a time when there was a constant influx of players from schools that could supplement training numbers and allow the days where a club could put out 8 teams. Sadly these days are gone, schools for the most part no longer play rugby and so now some young men may never experience rugby unless they have family or contacts at a local mini and junior set up, either that, or you attend a private school where the vast majority of schools play rugby. There should be a real fear at the RFU of rugby returning to the way it used to be associated, a posh boy's game. This is where they should be sending their time, not on working out why 19-24 year olds playing the game are disappearing, but why 8-19 year olds are not experiencing the game!
Having said all this, I know a number of people do not fit into these categories and all I can do is ask them to think about their level of commitment, at the end of the day you play with your friends, it is not the club, the coach or the supporters you let down the most, it is the guys that you will put your body on the line for on the pitch- your teammates- your friends.