September 29, 2008
The Rugby Football Union’s senior management tasted the “enthusiasm and passion for rugby” in Hampshire during their weekend visit to the county.
Francis Baron, the RFU chief executive, and Martyn Thomas, chairman of the management board, led a five-man party from Twickenham who kicked off a three-day trip to Hampshire with a vigorous question and answer session, and carried on through an enjoyable programme of schools, club and mini/junior rugby.
It was the latest in a series of visits to the RFU’s constituent bodies (CBs) which enable every one involved in the game to question Twickenham’s top brass on their work and to provide feedback on the challenges faced by rugby at local, national and international levels.
This was also a celebration of the Hampshire rugby union’s 125th anniversary this season.
“We’ve demonstrated the enthusiasm and passion for rugby in Hampshire,” said Neil Hagerty, the CB’s RFU Council member. “From Hampshire’s perspective, every one got something from it. And I think Francis and Martyn were genuinely impressed that rugby in the county is in good fettle.”
Baron and Thomas were joined for the Q & A session at Trojans RFC near Southampton on Friday evening (September 26) by RFU President Brian Williams, Andrew Scoular, director of community rugby, and Rob Udwin, community rugby chairman.
A 40-strong audience included the Hampshire RFU’s executive director Jed Stone, president Mike Glogg and management chairman Peter Topham, alongside representatives of local clubs – including Old Tottonians, New Milton, Gosport & Fareham, Aldershot & Fleet, Overton, Fordingbridge and Havant – schools and referees.
The RFU’s South regional rugby development manager Clive Cashell was also present with Hampshire development officers Jon Brookstein and Jamie Sanders and community rugby coaches.
Two hours of lively debate kept the RFU panel on their toes in the Trojans clubhouse, which is also a home to hockey, cricket and squash.
Funding for elite and community rugby was a hot topic and Baron told the audience that “all the money paid to Premier Rugby under our new eight-year agreement is targeted at current and future England players.
“It is so important to have a successful professional tier in England. Ninety per cent of RFU revenue comes from the England team and the professional game.”
Baron was asked how the “credit crunch” might affect English rugby and responded: “We have got a sound business model that is not dependent on one or two revenue streams. I am confident we will come through this in good shape.”
Other subjects covered were the Rugby Landscape consultation on the fixture structure for clubs below Level 3, the RFU’s robust stance over the experimental law variations and the recent public criticism of a Guinness Premiership referee and citing commissioner.
