On his major
or not, everyone wants the same thing. We’ve already got such a strong academy pathway that embraces the entire region and we probably don’t get enough credit for that, if I’m honest with you.
We’re already out there, we’re already strong, we’re already doing a lot of things but can we do more? Of course we can.
There is a whole load of work going on at the moment.
I’m just soaking up a lot of information at the moment but I was astonished that the school and community pathway that we have in the region is so impressive.
I’d hope to appeal to the wider region and say while we play at the Cardiff Arms Park – there are economic reasons for that – be part of the journey with us.
We will succeed if we’re strong as a region, we’ll succeed if we share the same vision.
It’s incumbent on us to do as much as we can to embrace the region, that’s a big part of my brief, it’s a big part of where the evolution of Cardiff Blues goes.
I guess what I’m saying is that we already do an awful lot in the region but give us an opportunity to prove to you that it’s not all in vain that there is a plan here and you can be proud of Cardiff Blues as your regional team and we have to work hard to make sure you remain proud.
Q: Welsh rugby can be a notoriously difficult landscape in which to operate, particularly off the field, what kind of challenges might you be expecting? AJ:
You have your eyes wide open when you come into this job.
As I’ve said, I’m incredibly lucky that I’ve been able to sit with Peter Thomas and talk about the landscape, the journey so far.
I’m incredibly lucky that he’s still going to be here and as I no doubt go blundering into a few things, he’ll still be here to provide some words of wisdom. The crucial thing is that I’ve always been one for talking to people, there will be challenges along the way, it’s never going to be easy all the time. But I’m here and I’m up for that challenge and I can’t wait to get going.
There are lots of exciting things that we can be doing and I’ve got lots of good counsel around me. The Cardiff Blues board is incredibly experienced, it’s seen most things and there’s a lot of support there.
We’re all pulling in the right direction, everyone is together.