07/31/2024
Social rugby is an essential part of creating great competitive rugby. Follow my logic:
1. Social ruggers exude a love of the sport that is infectious and helps new players feel welcome.
2. It provides playing opportunities for all those who will never play at the highest level, creating a depth of competition levels.
3. The best social clubs believe that winning the social comes 2nd to winning on the pitch.
4. The great depth of the competition levels creates less drastic steps to develop young players.
5. A deep social network provides opportunities for high level/elite players to both give back to and to still compete in the game they love once they step back from the elite level.
6. Sharing a beer (or meal at the youth level) significantly reduces the animosity generated during the game.
Local social rugby leads to great rugby.
Bonus: Although I have been out of refereeing for a few years, I'm still willing to bet that a majority of the referees at most levels got their start through social rugby.
FYI: I never post publicly and I am unlikely to read/respond to anyone's comments.
