The Aussie Clubs Took Back Control - Why Not The Scottish Ones

I AM indebted to friend of this blog, weel-kent Fifer and Gala resident Ron Sutherland for today's post idea. Today, the bold Ron posted on Facebook, a rather interesting story which he came across in Australia, about one of the backbones of Australian Rugby Union, the Shute Shield, and how it was rescued from near-oblivion, in the uncaring hands of the Australian Rugby Union. You can read this story for yourself by following this link:

http://www.adnews.com.au/news/sponsors-and-fans-flock-to-club-rugby-following-miracle-turnaround

 Ron Sutherland, who found the Shute Shield piece for me

Having followed the link and read the piece, I can see why Ron thinks the story might have lessons for us here in Scotland. I would love to share his optimistic view, but, having some notion of how the sports media works here in Scotland, Ah hae ma doots.

Certainly the Shield is a well-loved staple of Aussie footy, and, given the heavily Celtic-slanted demographic of yer average British immigrant to the land down under, it is no surprise to find the sort of tribalism, support for YOUR club, which is such an important part of the Shield's long success. But, and what a shame there has to be a but – could the Shute recovery be replicated here with oor ain club championship?

I would like to think so, and, I honestly believe a similar pattern to that which has worked so-successfully in Australia, has a real chance here too. But, as with the original Aussie prototype, we would be taking-on firmly entrenched institutions, with the added extra ingredient, so established in Scottish Rugby – Ayebeenism.

(For those unfamiliar with the expression, it is the typical establishment response to proposed change – particularly frequent in the Borders. Basically it is expressed as: “Can we try this for a change?”

“Naw, naw son, it's aye been done this way, and aye will be.”)

That is why, for instance, the second Saturday in April is sacred unto Melrose Sevens. Speaking of which, here is a segment from a Facebook message I received yesterday from a High Heid Yin at a BT Premiership club, on that subject.

He wrote: “I've always been amazed that clubs, including my own, have been happy to accept expenses that only cover the bus hire to play in an event that bankrolls a direct competitor for the whole year.”

My old mate, football writer extraordinaire Graham Spiers is fond of the word: “hermeneutics” - the theory and methodology of interpretation, especially the interpretation of biblical texts, wisdom literature, and philosophical texts. In a rugby context, my club high heid yin is, above, demonstrating a classic example of hermeneutics.

Graham Spiers - the world's leading expert on hermeneutics in Scottish sport

Any, to get back on-message, one of my many objections to Stupid 6 is the SRU's blind belief that they can somehow, without spending a single penny, “sell” this brave new competition to the general public and, through it: “grow the game.”

Aye Right! Is the only possible response to this prime example of hope over experience. To expect this to happen is to ignore the realities of mainstream media sports coverage in 21^st century Scotland, where the order or precedence is:

• Anything to do directly with the Old Firm
• Anything to do indirectly with the Old Firm
• The Scotland football team
• Andy Murray
• The Scotland rugby team
• The rest of Scottish football (although The Scotsman will put Hearts and Hibs further up)
• Edinburgh and Glasgow in the PRO14
• The English Premiership
• Golf
• Anything else we get for free or off the wires

If the SRU is going to create a media presence for Stupid 6, they are going to have to do something which they have never done, and even when they have flirted with it, have done badly, that is, do it themselves.

Any way, Stupid 6 (should it happen), will, in my honest opinion, have only a very limited impact outwith the followers of the original six clubs stupid enough to bet the farm on such a badly-thought-out concept. In any case, within Murrayfield it will only ever be rugby's equivalent of football's Reserve League, and when last did you see it featuring in your morning paper?

But, the BT Premiership, it has what Stupid 6 cannot have – a meaningful history, a back story of rivalries and public recognition. Now, I accept, the only traditional national media outlets which pay any attention to the Premiership at the moment are Scotland on Sunday and The Scotsman, kudos to Head of Sport Graham Bean and his team for at least covering the league.

The Shute Shield had that, but, was not being marketed properly under the Australian Rugby Union, the ARU. The story referred to at the top of this post explains what happened to change things.

The Warringah Rats lift the Shute Shield

It could happen here. Freesports on Freeview Channel 95 already shows some rugby, including the BUCS (British Universities and College Sports) competitions. I would reckon they might be interested in showing club games. If not, there will be other available platforms.

For instance, it has always amazed me that, since they are the title sponsors, BT Sport has never paid more than lip service to Scottish Rugby. I appreciate, they are obsessed with their coverage of the English Aviva Premiership, but, they show non-league English football, why not Scottish club rugby?

But, for such a move to work, the Premiership clubs would need to stop their bickering and, for once in their lives, sing off the same hymn sheet. I knew there was a catch.

Stupid 6 could be the death knell for club rugby. Setting it up is a naked power grab, it will bring even more of Scottish rugby within the grasp of Murrayfield; it will divert more money and attention away from the grass roots, the heartbeat of the game, towards the rapacious, grasping professional or performance arm.

It is not yet too late to prevent this, but, we need the clubs to start working together. A healthy and competitive Premiership, under-pinned by other vibrant club leagues can be done, but, it will need change, it will need commitment, and it will need the clubs to pull together.

It happened in Australia, why not in Scotland.