Evolution or Revolution?
By Paul
January 7 2003
Today could see a big development in the on running saga surrounding the future of the structure of the top level in Wales. The meeting between the premiership clubs and David Moffett, might finalise the merged clubs for next season.
The proposals will be either;
Option 1:
Pontypridd; Llanelli/Swansea; Neath/Bridgend; Cardiff/Caerphilly; Newport/Ebbw
Vale
Option 2:
Llanelli; Swansea/Neath; Bridgend/Pontypridd; Cardiff/Caerphilly; Newport/Ebbw
Vale
The obvious problem being Llanelli and Pontypridd's belief they should stand
alone.
But a further complication in the matter, is that the union believe they can only fund four sides. This leaves the obvious option of;
Llanelli/Swansea; Neath/Bridgend; Cardiff/Caerphilly/Pontypridd; Newport/Ebbw Vale
Llanelli and Ponty's strong belief they should both stand alone, makes this plan unworkable. Geographically Ponty traditionally represent the Valley's and Llanelli West Wales.
Five is too many, financially and we don't have the players to go round 5 teams. I would agree with four, but the combinations just don't fit. They don't make sense. Why merge two big clubs in Llanelli and Swansea, and then two medium sized ones in Bridgend and Neath?
Most would agree that Ponty have bitter dislike for their City slicker rivals, but Newport and Ebbw Vale both in similar situations are close to forming a Gwent super club.
Ebbw benefactor Marcus Russell believes that in most cases the clubs are going in the right direction;
"Not for the
first time in recent years, there’s a raging debate on how the professional game
in Wales is organized below International Level. Little has changed in those
years.
" This time around however, it does appear there will be significant change in
place by next season.
"Both the Professional Clubs and the WRU agree there should be a consolidation
of players competing in cross border competitions, but, for the time being,
there are disagreements on how it should be organized and financed.
"One thing is for certain, benefactors can no longer continue to finance the
professional game in Wales to the extent they have been, myself, along with the
other benefactors, want the financing of the professional game re-appraised.
"With the need for change in mind, there have been talks between Ebbw Vale and
our Gwent Premiership counterparts Newport about pooling resources in order to
field and finance a team for cross border competitions under the Gwent banner.
" The talks so far have been focused, realistic and productive. Both clubs would
remain as is for competing in the Welsh League and Cup Competitions.
"We are now ready to take the plan forward to the next stage ie identifying
players and personnel, but urgently require confirmation from the WRU of our
“central” income stream from TV Contracts, Sponsorship and ERC etc. for next
season. (Commonly known as “WRU Income”).
" I will be seeking this confirmation of our expected income when the
Professional Club owners meet with WRU Chief Executive Mr. Moffett next
Wednesday.
"A couple of Professional Clubs are still having difficulties in deciding how
best to consolidate in order to increase their income.
" In my view we cannot afford to wait around any longer for them to get their
ideas moving, as next season is bearing down upon us, and, amongst other
considerations, players need to know where they stand.
" If a particular club feels they can afford to stand alone without the
financial benefits of consolidating, then so be it. Good luck to them trying to
survive on the same inadequate “WRU Income” as they get this season!.
"Similarly, we cannot afford to contemplate the WRU’s half developed idea of
centrally contracted “provinces”, as it will lead to a trail of broken contacts
and litigations, with no one able or willing to pick up the enormous bills. It
will create a meltdown of the professional game.
"Urgent action is needed now from the WRU to give the green light to the
existing “blue prints” of consolidated teams, such as ours, as a great deal
needs to be considered if clubs are to work together to run these new teams.
"I live in hope there will be significant progress at Wednesday’s meeting of the
Professional Clubs & WRU, and that an overall solution will not be held up by
the self interest of one or two clubs who continue to live in a fantasy world,
one where everyone has to undergo change for the sake of Welsh Rugby…… except
themselves.
" I’d like to think that by next Wednesday we can be giving notice of a meeting
of all season ticket holders and interested parties, to explain further how the
ideas being formulated by talks between Newport & Ebbw Vale would work, and of
course to take on board views on how these ideas can be improved."
If the clubs cannot agree then the unions provincial plans will be put forward to an EGM in the near future, and the clubs will no longer grace the highest level.
It's do or die for them today, if they do agree between themselves they will undoubtedly have a brighter future, but if not, they will be practically committing suicide.
Personally if they can't come up with anything, then perhaps the union's plans will at least mean we stop this endless in fighting that's tearing the game apart, through self interest and greed.
Whatever happens lets hope it's for the good of the game in Wales. But what is the answer?
In poll on Red Dragon Rugby in the last few weeks We asked You what You thought was the way forward;
| Question of the Week |
| Question: The Way Forward is...... | ||||||||
Number of votes: 44 |
39%And you don't want mergers, Provinces won out, but only just. The idea of clubs standing alone was just behind, but realistically does that option exist anymore?
Will it be evolution in the shape of mergers, or revolution in the form of provinces next season?
We'll have to wait and see.