3 replies to this topic

[Death to the Rah Rah's]

I went and watched an amateur game on Saturday for the first time in a few months, and I was freezing, the standard of rugby was pretty poor due to the conditions, and the crowd was pretty quiet as well (probably trying to keep warm).

I have read all the various bits n pieces in the papers about the possible switch to summer rugby, and I got thinking if that was a good idea or not. I mean we can all see the benefits of playing in warmer spring/autumn type weather, but if the amateur clubs switch to a summer season they would be playing on grounds every bit as hard as they are in winter, although from a speccies point of view, it would be bloody marvelous to watch.

I understand this is going to be debated at national and local level, but what's people's opinions on here?

If you do post a reply, please start the debate by saying if you are a current player, spectator, or club official, then we can get a better idea of who thinks what.

[Keith T]

I am not a club official and cetainly not a current player but an occassional spectator.

I personally think it should be left to the players to decide what they want because they are the one's that make the amateur game what it is. Some lads will prefer winter to summer for many varying reasons - other sports, family, holidays, etc - and vice versa.

In the amateur game spectators can take it or leave it and club officials will still be there irrespective of what time of year they play. I would, however, think summer rugby for junior teams would be more beneficial for the kids.

[Wayne78]

All Cumberland League clubs have been asked to send a representative to copeland stadium next month regarding the switch to summer. We did have a meeting with CARLA just before xmas when only a handful of clubs turned up, so no decision could be made on the issue. The clubs who did turn up said there bit, it was a case of 50/50, we at elbra are all for summer but you have to look at the big picture first before diciding what is best. All clubs have been asked to get their players views on the issue and bring it down to meeting at copeland next month. On a personal note, as i said before we are all for summer at elbra, cockermouth are also for it, at the end of the day the amateur game is struggling locally so the league has nothing to lose going to summer, things cant get any worse than it is. With the aspects of Aspatria and Dearham entering sides for next season it will help the league out immensly. The advantages of summer rugby are as follows:
1. Better weather and light nights, games can be played midweek aswell as more lads training.
2. More support at games cos of better weather, which will mean more income for clubs.
3. Play division one games friday night and division 2 saturday or vice versa, this gives supporters who's clubs have two teams the chance to watch both aswell as making it easier for the league fixture wise as they will not have to work fixtures around two teams playing same day, plus giving the home side two lots of income in 2 days, obviously ref will need to be paid twice though!! This is just an idea by the way!!
4. Clubs wont have to pay for winter training, eg, we train at netherhall school during winter in main sportshall which costs us £100 a month. We are in every wednesday for an hour. That will save money for clubs.
5. Barbecues are another good money maker after games during summer after matches for supporters (players get food for nowt), plus the fact that Superleague will also be on friday nights and sat nights which is great if the league goes with playing friday night and saturday.
I have had a conversation with Craig Barker about switch to summer, craig said it will be easier for him aswell as working around his Town commitments, works out better, so we are happy with that!!! The only downside is hard pitches, plus the fact you get lads on holiday but it makes no difference, either way in winter you get fixture backlog cos of ###### weather, players cry off cos of bad weather, dont like training in it! Id take the risk and go to summer any day. It doesnt guarentee the game locally will thrive once agin but change is what is needed not just seasons wise but the league could also do with a revamp aswell, a u18's league is essential cos it can be a bit daunting for kids moving up from u16 straight up to open age, its learning the hard way which can in turn put a lot of kids off who end up walking away from the game. I dont see any advantages keeping the league playing winter, if more clubs vote for this i think its condeming the game here. At the end of the day its not just about what our clubs want to do its also about the lads running the league, they play a big part in this debate aswell. All this is my opinion anyway, there is a lot more ive probably missed, but as i said, you have to look at the 'BIG PICTURE' before making any moves or decisions!!

[Exiled Townie]

I am on the committee of St Albans Centurions amateur rugby league club in Hertfordshire. We play during the summer months in the Rugby League Conference. Over the years we have had quite a few northerners play for us, lads who have played in the winter 'up north' but have had to change seasons to carry on playing down here. I always ask them how they find the change over of seasons, and I can't recall one of them saying they prefer playing in Winter, they all prefer Summer rugby.
Never having been involved with a club that plays in winter, I can't compare the social side of things that nice weather rugby gives you ... barbeques (and the chance to raise a bit of cash for the club), sitting outside in the sun after the game having a drink and a natter, families coming along to watch the game is all very pleasant. We have a fair few 'old lads' that walk up on the day and say they attend the games because of the nice weather..... and remember, when you hear talk of 'bone dry pitches in summer', remember we live in England, not exactly the driest place on earth in summer.