Grassroots need more matches to kick-start interest

SURELY the lower leagues, Level 5 down, need to be playing more matches not fewer.

When there are no games clubhouses are generally under used with little turnover.

In the olden days we started on September 1 to April 30 and played every Saturday, usually 35/36 matches.

With fewer 2nd and 3rd teams, club turnovers have dramatically reduced and now with blank Saturdays players turn to other sports or hobbies to occupy them.

Over the years the requirements of lower league clubs have been ignored; when polls are taken if the RFU do not get the answer they want they impose.

It will not be long before more groups of clubs break away in order to play more games, utilise their clubhouses more and hopefully recruit more local players who want to play on a regular basis without having to travel too far.

A true questionnaire by the RFU on meeting the needs of all its members is long overdue, the way they are running our game leaves a lot to be desired as they lurch from problem to problem.

They are over-staffed, over-pay international players (as against all other countries) and over-pay management.

Senior playing numebers have been in decline for over ten years.

The game in the North has only two Premiership teams, yet Yorkshire and Lancashire were two of the largest union participants. The majority of clubs lost 2nd and 3rd teams but it was ignored by the powers that be.

I believe it can be reinvigorated but not by the people presently running our game.