Funding grassroots should be priority
Am I the only person who thinks it is a little hypocritical of the RPA to join with the Premiership in asking for government funding when essentially they are effectively asking tax payers to help pay the salary of the professional players they represent?
The 1,200 or so members of the RPA earn around at least two to three times the national average wage with a select few (the international and marquee players) earning as much as ten times the average wage or even more.
While the RPA’s stated mission is to support, promote and protect the interests of its members, it doesn’t help the game as a whole, as its members are just a very small minority of the total rugby family and are at the top end of the financial scale.
The issue for the Premiership clubs is they have been paying out more money than they generate, virtually since the start of the professional game. During which time they have shown little or no thought of the consequences for any such business run in that fashion should even a minor interruption, let alone a disaster on the Covid scale occur.
The majority of Premiership clubs are reliant on the generosity of a rich owner or consortium to sustain them through their losses which until now has worked.
The RPA comment that they are advocating the vital importance of a government-backed rescue package in order to save the game in England, is slightly wrong as it should have read the ‘professional’ game in England.
The RPA say that players are worried about the financial impact on their employers – the clubs – which shouldn’t be a surprise because the players know if the Premiership clubs fail they will lose their jobs with many unable to find similar employment.
They also say that the loss of any Premiership clubs would have enormous implications for community and grassroots clubs and fans of all age ranges. Although this is true, it could actually be a positive implication as it could see resources spread around the region instead of concentrated into a single club.
I agree with the RPA calling on the players and fans to show their support in keeping the sport of rugby alive and the comment, “This sport has outstanding values and we all need to align our interests to ensure its pending survival”.
However, I believe the best way to do this is to ensure the grassroots clubs get the funding to guarantee their survival and so any government bale-out should be given to the RFU on condition it doesn’t go to the professional game.
As I have said before the Premiership have had the funding they have received from TV, CVC and the RFU with a large share spent on players’ wages, some of whom could be furloughed if they
“Any government bale-out should go to the RFU on condition it doesn’t go to the pro game”
are not playing. Grassroots, on the other hand, have not been able to stage any games, even mini and juniors, or open clubs for social events, which impacts on the communities that many are based in.
Funding grassroots during the crisis is logical as they are where the majority of players play the game. It’s also where many of those who end up in the professional game start their rugby journey.
As sad and damaging as it may be in the short term, if a number of Premiership clubs go to the wall it may in the long term produce a stronger, financially stable Premiership with a truly professional outlook.