The buzz has been building over the last three months and reached a crescendo on Sunday 21st December when, to the sounds of frenetic buzzing and fireworks on the touchline, Wasps ran out onto the pitch at their new home – the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Many column inches have been given over to this controversial move. Undoubtedly, the North London fans will have been bereft at the news, but the Club and CEO Nick Eastwood have worked hard to ensure that fans understand the reasons why – essentially no financial security, no Wasps.
Personally, whilst having a great deal of sympathy for those fans, I’m delighted. Top class rugby on my doorstep, bringing rugby to the fore in a City that was once renowned for it – players all great products of school and grassroots rugby, through to Coventry RFC, Warwickshire and England.
There are a good deal less rugby clubs in Coventry now than in Coventry’s rugby player producing heyday, currently 18 against what my father thinks was a figure nearer to 50. More and more schools are now engaging in the sport; from tag rugby and joining the Tag to Twickenham festival held annually at Old Coventrians RFC, to secondary schools, playing in the Coventry Cup, but this still isn’t enough.
Rugby clubs have suffered in recent years and lost a number of players, at Senior and Mini & Junior levels. As pennies become scarcer, belts are tightened and recreational pursuits take a hit. Sometimes people have to work longer hours and are no longer able to play and train or taxi their youngsters to and from fixtures and training. Add to this the obvious drop-off in club revenue from bar takings and you have a potential recipe for disaster.
Since London 2012, much has been made of volunteers and the absolute need for them across sports clubs country-wide. In the UK, Join In – whose Patron is Eddie Izzard, are working hard to promote volunteering. They offer a service to match potential volunteers with sports clubs that have a specific or general need. Volunteers are crucial to the running and future of clubs in this country.
Rugby World Cup 2015 will bring new and returning players to grassroots clubs up and down the country and those clubs need to be prepared to support the players. England Rugby will be doing it’s upmost to help clubs attract and retain new players; Join In will be working hard, in conjunction with the BBC and ITV to spread England Rugby’s message – sports clubs all over the country need volunteers!
When people think about volunteering in sport, they tend to assume that coaching roles need to be filled. Well, they do, but there are a myriad of other skills required at sports clubs. I’m a Project Manager and I’ve used those skills as Events Manager at my club. Planning, organising and running events isn’t an easy task for everyone, but utilising my skills has meant many successful Festivals, Bonfire Nights, Charity days and so on. Clubs need secretaries, treasurers, DIY enthusiasts, as well as plumbers, electricians, cooks and accountants.
In Coventry, the combination of Wasps’ arrival and RWC 2015 will increase the number of players at Coventry clubs. Volunteers will be required at clubs to support. Have a think about your skills – what could you offer a local sports club? Get onto www.joininuk.org and register your details. 2015 will be a special year in the Rugby world – be a part of it!
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