It has been a strange June so far but one I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Having spent the last 9 years playing in National Division One, now the Championship, I have decided to take a break from rugby and concentrate on some exciting projects (including this blog) away from the training ground.
I am hoping, for the sake of rugby at this level, that the Championship is a huge success - there have been huge advances in the 9 years that I have been involved as a player and I believe that with the increased funding and, hopefully, exposure the Championship will continue to flourish.
As the Championship becomes a fully professional league I am unable to make the commitment to training that is required to be successful and I have decided to take a break from playing for the forseeable future.
I made the decision very early on after leaving University that I did not want to be a full time rugby player but I have been lucky enough to mix playing with work, largely thanks to some very understanding bosses!
For the last three years my life revolved around Nottingham Rugby.
I was a player but also a full time employee at the club, which gave me a fantastic opportunity to understand the inner workings of a professional rugby club and also the media.
I left my full time post at the end of April to join Macesport - a role I am already enjoying immensely.
So the end of the road as a player but I am hoping it is just the start of my association with the Championship.
I decided very quickly after retirement that I wanted to write about the Championship and hopefully give the fans an insight into what happens behind the scenes at rugby clubs in this league.
Every club will be back in preseason training from June - something I am certainly not missing - and it is relentless rugby, rugby, rugby until the end of April and if you are successful this season even longer.
I am really looking forward to using this blog as a discussion forum for the fans, employees and who knows even the players in the Championship.
I hope you like the blog and it provides plenty of discussion points.
Look forward to seeing you on the other side of the fence this season!!!
Monday 29 June 2009
Thursday 25 June 2009
London Welsh Enter Administration
It was sad to hear this week that London Welsh have gone into administration and I sincerely hope that they pull through and take their place in the new Championship in September.
Taking the step to appoint administrators Tenon Recovery must have been a big step and one that came as a bolt from the blue for most people involved in rugby at this level.
To everyone on the outside it looked as if London Welsh were creating a very strong squad that could rival the top four tems in the league but there must now be question marks over their participation let alone success in the new league.
However, there are some details of the announcement that do not sit particularly well which leads me to question the real threat of closure.
Take a look at the London Welsh website and you will get a flavour of the mixed messages coming from one of London's most famous rugby clubs.
Just four days prior to the announcement Welsh made the announcement that they had signed Simon Whatling from Championship rivals:
Quote:- “The ambition at London Welsh really appealed to me, while it’s also an exciting challenge for me personally, both in terms of my rugby and moving to a new city.”
There is either a very good sales man in the wrong job or all is not what it appears.
I have no doubt that London Welsh are having financial issues - who isn't in National Division One now the Championship - but I am sure it is not all doom and gloom.
The interview from the BBC is conducted very well and answers some of the question marks hanging over the club.
Reading between the lines Kelvin Bryon has funds to keep the club going but in order to reach the level they aspire to they need some serious investment and are twanging the heart strings of the London Welsh faithful.
But as the interviewer suggests this is probably not a business opportunity - at present without a ground to develop (such as Exeter Chiefs) - this is an expensive hobby for someone.
Everyone is chasing the dream of Premiership rugby but is it really sustainable?
Only one team will reach the promised land but what will their fate be? Bristol pleaded poverty before relegation and I am sure there are more teams in the Premiership in the same boat.
Having been through a similar scenario at Nottingham I feel for the players - especially with so many only recently signed. Many will have left solid contracts to join an aspirational London Welsh only to have been hit by this news.
Fingers crossed for London Welsh - the league needs to be competitive and they look to have a strong squad but lessons need to be learnt or more funding from the RFU is required.
Would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.................................
Taking the step to appoint administrators Tenon Recovery must have been a big step and one that came as a bolt from the blue for most people involved in rugby at this level.
To everyone on the outside it looked as if London Welsh were creating a very strong squad that could rival the top four tems in the league but there must now be question marks over their participation let alone success in the new league.
However, there are some details of the announcement that do not sit particularly well which leads me to question the real threat of closure.
Take a look at the London Welsh website and you will get a flavour of the mixed messages coming from one of London's most famous rugby clubs.
Just four days prior to the announcement Welsh made the announcement that they had signed Simon Whatling from Championship rivals:
Quote:- “The ambition at London Welsh really appealed to me, while it’s also an exciting challenge for me personally, both in terms of my rugby and moving to a new city.”
There is either a very good sales man in the wrong job or all is not what it appears.
I have no doubt that London Welsh are having financial issues - who isn't in National Division One now the Championship - but I am sure it is not all doom and gloom.
The interview from the BBC is conducted very well and answers some of the question marks hanging over the club.
Reading between the lines Kelvin Bryon has funds to keep the club going but in order to reach the level they aspire to they need some serious investment and are twanging the heart strings of the London Welsh faithful.
But as the interviewer suggests this is probably not a business opportunity - at present without a ground to develop (such as Exeter Chiefs) - this is an expensive hobby for someone.
Everyone is chasing the dream of Premiership rugby but is it really sustainable?
Only one team will reach the promised land but what will their fate be? Bristol pleaded poverty before relegation and I am sure there are more teams in the Premiership in the same boat.
Having been through a similar scenario at Nottingham I feel for the players - especially with so many only recently signed. Many will have left solid contracts to join an aspirational London Welsh only to have been hit by this news.
Fingers crossed for London Welsh - the league needs to be competitive and they look to have a strong squad but lessons need to be learnt or more funding from the RFU is required.
Would love to hear your thoughts on the subject.................................
Wednesday 17 June 2009
Welcome
Weclome to the first blog on the all new Rugby Championship that is due to kick off in September 2009.
National Division One has had a name change and been reduced to 12 teams - all in search of the dream of Premiership Rugby.
Through my blog I will be bringing you all the inside news, views and gossip from around the Championship - as well as offering my opinion (for what it is worth!!).
Please feel free to get involved in the discussions around the blog and all that is happening in the league.
I hope you enjoy following my blog on the new Championship it should be an exciting season.
Ben Thompson
National Division One has had a name change and been reduced to 12 teams - all in search of the dream of Premiership Rugby.
Through my blog I will be bringing you all the inside news, views and gossip from around the Championship - as well as offering my opinion (for what it is worth!!).
Please feel free to get involved in the discussions around the blog and all that is happening in the league.
I hope you enjoy following my blog on the new Championship it should be an exciting season.
Ben Thompson
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