Autumn 2023 Statement from Executive Chairman Jon Sharp
Jon Sharp
By Unofficial Coventry Rugby
October 13 2023
Coventry Rugby's Executive Chairman Jon Sharp has this week published an Autumn Statement from the club. Here's a summary of what's in it, and why it's important that we all read and understand it.
Jon covers a lot in his statement. While the Championship is in a hiatus, between involvement in the Premiership Cup, and the Championship Season, and is largely ignored behind the media coverage of the Rugby World Cup, a lot is happening that will affect the future of Rugby Union in England.
Statement on Coventryrugby website
He starts with Coventry's successful performance in the Premierhip Cup, a performance where Coventry held its head high, and competed with teams put out by three of the Premiership teams.
He then looks ahead to the Championship - a competition depleted this season by the collapse of Jersey Reds. It is not just the impliclations of all teams losing a home match from their fixtures that he covers, but more significantly the apparent failure of the RFU to heed warnings that this failure was approaching, or to react to the implications of it. He continues with details of the financial state of the RFU, and pf Premiership Rugby (PRL), and the affect that their mutual self-interest is having on the wider aspects of thw RFU's remit. It is scary reading for the whole of the sport.
From here he goes on to Coventry Rugby, and what is being done to plan for the future. There is a lot being done to ensure that the club is the master of its own destiny, in both the short mand log term.
I would strongly advise that everyone interested in Coventry Rugby Club reads and discusses this statement. Rugby Union in England is in crisis, and if you are reading this you have enough of an interest in the sport and the club that you need to see what is happening and what needs to be done to ensure survival.
The article is at https://www.coventryrugby.co.uk/autumn-2023-Gstatement-from-executive-chairman-jon-sharp/ Go and read it now, share it with other rugby supporters, and respond here with your thoughts on what must be done to ensure there is a future for the club and the game.
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Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:11:19:09:27:11 by Kimbo.
Nice to read his comments about Cov's sustainability in troubled times.
I didn't realise our capacity is now 5250 however with 4100 against Sarries there were photos clearly showing seats were available in the main stand.
A new stand mentioned could push capacity well up towards the 10k premiership requirements. Although I personally think 8k would be adequate given gates at many premiership games being under 10k. In future "golden times" I'm sure the CBS would welcome the odd big rugby match, as has happened in the past.
Yes, we'd have to also have plans in place for an increase to 10k, but that's not an 'entry' capacity requirement as auch.
Quote:Kimbo
The Prem entry requirement is 5000, not 10000, so we already qualify.
Yes, we'd have to also have plans in place for an increase to 10k, but that's not an 'entry' capacity requirement as auch.
Lol, shows I know nowt.
Why on earth did I think it was 10k ?
Are there other stadium criteria, obviously the bpa is a proper stadium with excellent facilities, but would it meet premiership standards, even for a P2 ?
As I say, though, there's the sting that you have to be prepared to increase that to 10k.
I have no idea which of the other ridiculous, almost mythical now, criteria still exist, but I AM sure that if the club have plans to bring the authorities in to assess the ground for readiness for a potential promotion, they'll have their ducks in a row.
Unlike a certain London club last time they tried...
Quote:Kimbo
It was 10k, but was lowered to 5k in, I believe, September 2022.
As I say, though, there's the sting that you have to be prepared to increase that to 10k.
I have no idea which of the other ridiculous, almost mythical now, criteria still exist, but I AM sure that if the club have plans to bring the authorities in to assess the ground for readiness for a potential promotion, they'll have their ducks in a row.
Unlike a certain London club last time they tried...
I get ground regulations regarding quality of facilities, toilets health and safety , medical, disabled.....
But this capacity thing is a nonsense, it is protectionism and unfair trading. It is like saying you can't join the distribution club unless your warehouse is a certain size? Even if that warehouse is twice as big as you need. It wouldn't happen in any other industry. It is just smoke and mirrors to protect the self appointed elite
Quote:Kimbo
You don't think I'm defending any of it, do you Al?
Don''t worry Kimbo, I know you are not defending it.
Quote:
2.3 At the end of Season 2023/24, if the winner of the Championship in Season 2023/24 meets the Minimum Standards Criteria, it will enter a play-off with the club finishing bottom of the Premiership in Season 2023/24. The winner of that play-off will play in the Premiership in Season 2024/25, and the loser will play in the Championship.
So, once again, unless the bottom club are hopeless, the odds are rigged against promotion for Championship top club, even if stadium meets criteria.
Crumbs on the Premiership floor.
What's wrong with automatic relegation if winners meet all criteria?
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2023:10:18:16:57:10 by covkid1953.