Wales can feed off grassroots energy
GRASSROOTS rugby is back up and running in Wales and it’s just brilliant to see those who love the game involved at their local clubs again. I’ve been added to the Amman United second team WhatsApp group for the new season – they’re trying to tempt be back to play once again and I’m resisting… for now!
My brother Dean went down to watch Amman last Friday night. They won the game, but there was such a huge excitement in the village before kick-off that it was almost palpable. It felt like there was a big event going on and there was a huge crowd at the club with people jamming into the clubhouse for a pint afterwards.
That is proper Welsh grassroots rugby and what we’ve been used to seeing for decades and decades up and down the country before Covid19 struck.
It’s a huge boost to not only Welsh rugby, but the country as a whole that we seem to be getting back to some kind of normality. There has been so much negativity for so long that now is the time to look forward and I really hope the feel-good factor of rugby returning at grassroots level can permeate up through the pyramid all the way up to Wayne Pivac’s national squad.
There has been a concern that the pandemic might mean people wouldn’t return to rugby and that’s not just players, but supporters, volunteers and those who perform vital roles at our clubs.
Those were justifiable worries, but I can only speak from the experiences I’ve had at Amman which is my local club. Amman have struggled at times to even get a first team out and now they have two sides with lots of players to choose from. I think they can make do without me!
In all seriousness, it is very encouraging to see such large numbers eager to play and hopefully we will see that replicated in all areas of the country.
I’ve come out of retirement far too many times in the past already to do it again, but what I am doing for definite is coaching the U13’s at the club.
Like the senior sides, Amman’s youth section is thriving and my eldest boy is part of it. I’m really looking forward to working with him. It’s very exciting for me to watch my children involved in all the different sports they do, but of course rugby will always hold a special place in my heart.
To be honest, I’m just glad things are opening up again so I can kick them out of the house and off the computer so they can get active!
I wouldn’t say no to the odd social game of rugby myself if it was offered, but playing week in, week out still takes its toll regardever less of the level you play at. That’s why I think I’ll stick to coaching for now.
I really wish all those taking to the field both now and in the next few weeks all the best. I honestly think it will be such a good feeling for those who get the chance.
There is a lot to look forward to in Welsh rugby as, hopefully, we leave the pandemic in our rearview mirror. It was interesting for me to see so many people buying tickets for Wales’ four Autumn fixtures against New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji and Australia last week.
Clearly, that is an enticing November fixture list, but I truly believe that people are more desperate than ever to go out and watch live rugby now than they have been before because they have been stuck inside for so long throughout the last 18 months.
The thought of having capacity crowds at Principality Stadium for those games makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.
We all know the Cardiff stadium is the best rugby venue in the world. I don’t think that’s ever been taken for granted by any Wales fan, but it will also be appreciated even more now.
To watch some of the Six Nations games there with no crowd was tough so to have even a few thousand supporters back for the summer Tests was fantastic.
That will go up another ten levels for the Autumn and I can’t wait.
“I hope feel-good factor of grassroots returning can permeate up to the national team”