It is an honour to be elected into the role of President of Rugby Victoria, I played here at school, club, State and have been involved on and off for 40 years. One of the best things about rugby is that is a global game with strong values and an inclusive culture. You can walk into any club in over 120 countries and feel a welcome sense of familiarity - no other sport does that at that level. Which, is why over 9 million people play the game around the globe, and why the Rugby World Cup is the 3rd largest sporting event in the world.
Vision
I was recently asked what my vision is for rugby in Victoria, and I replied that it is pretty simple:
- For every club and school to have enough players to field every team that they want to. If we can do that, we can be on our way to doubling our numbers, especially in juniors. Grow the game at grassroots and you grow the game at the top.
- Have a professional team back in Victoria that is the peak team that our players aspire to. But to do it in a way that benefits our local clubs.
Both of these goals require growth and time. Not just in player numbers, but also in how we run as an organisation and interact as a community. There is a lot of great work happening right now on positioning ourselves for the future, and the Board are in support of the work our CEO Aaron Bailey and his team are doing. Not just the reviews, but also in the collaborative approach which everyone has the opportunity to contribute to.
Quick Win
If there was one quick win I think we could implement as a community it would be to get back to basics and focus on how we can all live and implement the values of the game. If we want to truly grow the sport, we need to be ambassadors of the game. And to do that we must live the values of Rugby and make it attractive for people to join. We all know what they are, they don't need an introduction. However, if we are to be honest, there are times every weekend where we can see they aren't being lived. And this can drive people away. A few examples you may have observed:
- Players, spectators, parents and coaches shouting at the referee.
- Players showboating after scoring a try - or even before scoring a try.
- People cheering high tackles.
- Coaches shouting from the sidelines.
- Strongly worded angry emails to administration and referees.
In terms of referees, they are the only role that you must have to play an official game. Without them there is no rugby. They are also sacrosanct in rugby - we all know this. They are always right even when they are wrong. Not because we can't question things (there is a process for that during and after the game), but because accepting their decision creates humility and respect. It helps us foster an environment where people are humble in victory and gracious in defeat. Play to the referee, play the game and work out how to win with what you have. Also, when was the last time a ref reversed their decision because you complained? It never happens, so save your breath.
Rugby Victoria will be working on how we can focus on our values and bring us back to the things we love about the game. This will include calling out behaviour and recognising model examples. We're asking for self-appointed ambassadors on and off the field and are looking forward to reviving our strong rugby history in the State. There is a lot to look forward to with the Rugby World Cup on the horizon and it is an honour to be leading the Board as a volunteer in such a pivotal time.
Jason Potoi Andrew
