Provincial Rugby - Is it really the way forward?


By Webmaster
October 29 2002

Provincial Rugby is back on the agenda here in Wales. We want the supporters views on the proposed changes because, after all, it is the supporters who will be paying to watch these provinces or superclubs.

"WE DON'T WANT CHANGE"

 The message that Ponty fans should be telling everyone isn't it?

    Whether its super clubs or provinces why do we need to make such radical changes to the system? Apart from the "big four" not doing to well, why do we need to make such changes. Pontypridd are a team who can compete with the best. The club lead the way in development of young players with a superb youth academy set up and a system where players and coaches visit local schools and start to assemble talent for the future. 

    We have a young squad (with a few exceptions) and only two foreign players in the squad, them being Duncan Bell and Brent Cockbain. Unlike many other clubs we are able to develop young talent, perhaps the way forward would be for clubs to take a look at what Ponty are doing and try to set up something similar! This season we have finished top of Pool B in the Celtic league, ahead of Leinster, Connacht, Glasgow and Scottish Borders all of whom are provinces. Surely this shows everyone else in Wales that it can be done - we as clubs can beat the provinces who receive millions of pounds in funding each year.

    So, lets look at what the proposed changes could be:

  1. Provinces - This would involve three, four or five teams from all over Wales where Welsh qualified players will be contracted by the WRU. They will play in the Celtic League and Heineken Cup but a Welsh league would remain but at a lower level. This could see a Valleys province formed between Cardiff and Pontypridd. Not something I want and I'm sure its not something that other Ponty supporters want - I wouldn't pay to watch a team formed between us and them - would you?

  2. Superclubs - This would be similar to provinces but would probably see Pontypridd joined by Bridgend. Again not something I want but it isn't as bad as us being forced to play with Cardiff.

Yes there are many other ideas that supporters have and we want to hear them. Post your views on the messageboard and Unofficial Ponty RFC will try to get the supporters views heard.

If you have any plans about getting the voice of the supporters heard then why not leave them on the messageboard as well.

Watch this space for more on the Provincial Rugby debate!