Super 6 and Newcastle Falcons latest

[Chunks Baws]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-union/43473255

Some interesting stuff.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

I haven't looked into the super 6 but it sounds both promising and worrying from those few snippets.

Everything below the super 6 is amateur only? What if one of teams using player payments gets shafted when the franchises are decided?

[whatisthejava]

Having floated around the bottom tier of rugby im very happy that they are banning player payments, some teams have bought their way up the leagues and when the cash dries up they crash back down, player payments takes cash from the club and gives it to some players with no loyalty

[General Zod]

I think SRU will change their mind slightly on super 6 and maybe make it a super 8 or something, possibly with a little more cash involved.

[Stones of granite]

Having floated around the bottom tier of rugby im very happy that they are banning player payments, some teams have bought their way up the leagues and when the cash dries up they crash back down, player payments takes cash from the club and gives it to some players with no loyalty

Totally agree.

[Big D]

Some of you will know I am currently serving as my club secretary. Not of a team close to the level needed to apply for a S6 side but was invited a presentation from one of the potential parties and guys from the SRU.

Apparently 11 or 12 notes of interest and SRU are not releasing any names who until bids are in. They are extremely confident about getting 6 viable teams. Also said some big companies have been in touch regarding sponsorship.

Sounds like their will be one bid from the caley region and as many as 4 from Edinburgh.

Reading between the lines all clubs expect to have to spend a lot more than the "minimum".

The chap from the SRU (one of Dodsons men, Norn Irish fella) was very bullish about it all. A few other things to note that I picked up on:
1. I specifically asked what if the caley bid was found to be unviable and his reply was there will be a caley team. Implication being the SRU would set one up.
2. What if there are not 6 viable bids including if the SRU make one in Caley? His reply was resolute - there will be 6 viable bids. Absolutely no doubt there won't be.
3. Many of the interested clubs will keep their team in the domestic league too.
4. Sponsorship approaches have been made for the whole league.
5. Each side will have access to the SRU marketing and commercial depts.

[Stones of granite]

Some of you will know I am currently serving as my club secretary. Not of a team close to the level needed to apply for a S6 side but was invited a presentation from one of the potential parties and guys from the SRU.

Apparently 11 or 12 notes of interest and SRU are not releasing any names who until bids are in. They are extremely confident about getting 6 viable teams. Also said some big companies have been in touch regarding sponsorship.

Sounds like their will be one bid from the caley region and as many as 4 from Edinburgh.

Reading between the lines all clubs expect to have to spend a lot more than the "minimum".

The chap from the SRU (one of Dodsons men, Norn Irish fella) was very bullish about it all. A few other things to note that I picked up on:
1. I specifically asked what if the caley bid was found to be unviable and his reply was there will be a caley team. Implication being the SRU would set one up.
2. What if there are not 6 viable bids including if the SRU make one in Caley? His reply was resolute - there will be 6 viable bids. Absolutely no doubt there won't be.
3. Many of the interested clubs will keep their team in the domestic league too.
4. Sponsorship approaches have been made for the whole league.
5. Each side will have access to the SRU marketing and commercial depts.

Good info. Sounds like they have confidence that it's a flyer.

Are you now "Secretary for life"
Our last Club Secretary did it for about 30 years.

[Big D]

Some of you will know I am currently serving as my club secretary. Not of a team close to the level needed to apply for a S6 side but was invited a presentation from one of the potential parties and guys from the SRU.

Apparently 11 or 12 notes of interest and SRU are not releasing any names who until bids are in. They are extremely confident about getting 6 viable teams. Also said some big companies have been in touch regarding sponsorship.

Sounds like their will be one bid from the caley region and as many as 4 from Edinburgh.

Reading between the lines all clubs expect to have to spend a lot more than the "minimum".

The chap from the SRU (one of Dodsons men, Norn Irish fella) was very bullish about it all. A few other things to note that I picked up on:
1. I specifically asked what if the caley bid was found to be unviable and his reply was there will be a caley team. Implication being the SRU would set one up.
2. What if there are not 6 viable bids including if the SRU make one in Caley? His reply was resolute - there will be 6 viable bids. Absolutely no doubt there won't be.
3. Many of the interested clubs will keep their team in the domestic league too.
4. Sponsorship approaches have been made for the whole league.
5. Each side will have access to the SRU marketing and commercial depts.

Good info. Sounds like they have confidence that it's a flyer.

Are you now "Secretary for life"
Our last Club Secretary did it for about 30 years.

The northern Irish guy that works for Dodson gave a lot of good info without giving much away regarding which teams to expect bids from. Although the way he spoke I expect Melrose to bid.

The meeting I was at looks like it will be the only caley bid although there is an outside bet of one more.

Giving up my secretary duties at the ripe old age of 33. With promotion at work and my 2 young boys I don't have the time at the moment. Gave them 2.5 years for now in the role.

[General Zod]

Any news on whether there will be a Dundee bid?

Also, the new facilities at Highland RFC look pretty good. Not seen much sign of spectator facilities there though - may be wrong.

[Big D]

Any news on whether there will be a Dundee bid?

Also, the new facilities at Highland RFC look pretty good. Not seen much sign of spectator facilities there though - may be wrong.

The caley bid is coming from the Midlands if it does materialise. Closing date is soon iirc. Seems County considered a bid too.

Reluctant to name it as its not beong widely reported but you aren't a million miles away. Likely to retain a club in the "amatuer" game and the super 6. And the cities private school will be involved/equal partners.

Worth looking for teams tying up with unis as the SRU are keen on that for the super 6. Currie and HW seem a good pairing.

[Big D]

Also worth noting the aspiration is for every team to have access to WR compliant 4G pitches

[Stones of granite]

Any news on whether there will be a Dundee bid?

Also, the new facilities at Highland RFC look pretty good. Not seen much sign of spectator facilities there though - may be wrong.

The caley bid is coming from the Midlands if it does materialise. Closing date is soon iirc. Seems County considered a bid too.

Reluctant to name it as its not beong widely reported but you aren't a million miles away. Likely to retain a club in the "amatuer" game and the super 6. And the cities private school will be involved/equal partners.

Worth looking for teams tying up with unis as the SRU are keen on that for the super 6. Currie and HW seem a good pairing.

I’ve been hearing rumours of considerable consolidation at grass roots level in Dundee. Have you heard anything similar? Also reluctant to go into details, but just wondered if it’s doing the rounds.

[OptimisticJock]

Any news on whether there will be a Dundee bid?

Also, the new facilities at Highland RFC look pretty good. Not seen much sign of spectator facilities there though - may be wrong.

The caley bid is coming from the Midlands if it does materialise. Closing date is soon iirc. Seems County considered a bid too.

Reluctant to name it as its not beong widely reported but you aren't a million miles away. Likely to retain a club in the "amatuer" game and the super 6. And the cities private school will be involved/equal partners.

Worth looking for teams tying up with unis as the SRU are keen on that for the super 6. Currie and HW seem a good pairing.

PM me hun x

[OptimisticJock]

I'd be very happy with a Dundee bid.

[Big D]

Any news on whether there will be a Dundee bid?

Also, the new facilities at Highland RFC look pretty good. Not seen much sign of spectator facilities there though - may be wrong.

The caley bid is coming from the Midlands if it does materialise. Closing date is soon iirc. Seems County considered a bid too.

Reluctant to name it as its not beong widely reported but you aren't a million miles away. Likely to retain a club in the "amatuer" game and the super 6. And the cities private school will be involved/equal partners.

Worth looking for teams tying up with unis as the SRU are keen on that for the super 6. Currie and HW seem a good pairing.

I’ve been hearing rumours of considerable consolidation at grass roots level in Dundee. Have you heard anything similar? Also reluctant to go into details, but just wondered if it’s doing the rounds.

Of sorts. Possibly a lot of dual registration.

[Stones of granite]

The caley bid is coming from the Midlands if it does materialise. Closing date is soon iirc. Seems County considered a bid too.

Reluctant to name it as its not beong widely reported but you aren't a million miles away. Likely to retain a club in the "amatuer" game and the super 6. And the cities private school will be involved/equal partners.

Worth looking for teams tying up with unis as the SRU are keen on that for the super 6. Currie and HW seem a good pairing.

I’ve been hearing rumours of considerable consolidation at grass roots level in Dundee. Have you heard anything similar? Also reluctant to go into details, but just wondered if it’s doing the rounds.

Of sorts. Possibly a lot of dual registration.

Cheers. Not quite what I heard, but we’ll see.

[Big D]

I’ve been hearing rumours of considerable consolidation at grass roots level in Dundee. Have you heard anything similar? Also reluctant to go into details, but just wondered if it’s doing the rounds.

Of sorts. Possibly a lot of dual registration.

Cheers. Not quite what I heard, but we’ll see.

It was all hearsay around the meeting.

The meeting was about the S6. The bid may not even go in.

[Cameo]

Super 6 is an interesting one. I broadly agree with the idea behind it and am willing to give the current SRU board the benefit of the doubt BUT I have spoken to a lot of people vehemently against and agree with a lot of what they say. Let's just hope that they do it well enough and get enough buy in to make it worth the divisions it'll cause. The main thing is to make the financials work well enough that the franchises can survive but also attract the best "amateur" players in the country and produce a demonstrably better level of rugby.

[Stones of granite]

Super 6 is an interesting one. I broadly agree with the idea behind it and am willing to give the current SRU board the benefit of the doubt BUT I have spoken to a lot of people vehemently against and agree with a lot of what they say. Let's just hope that they do it well enough and get enough buy in to make it worth the divisions it'll cause. The main thing is to make the financials work well enough that the franchises can survive but also attract the best "amateur" players in the country and produce a demonstrably better level of rugby.

No change of this magnitude can be made without upsetting someone.

[Cameo]

Super 6 is an interesting one. I broadly agree with the idea behind it and am willing to give the current SRU board the benefit of the doubt BUT I have spoken to a lot of people vehemently against and agree with a lot of what they say. Let's just hope that they do it well enough and get enough buy in to make it worth the divisions it'll cause. The main thing is to make the financials work well enough that the franchises can survive but also attract the best "amateur" players in the country and produce a demonstrably better level of rugby.

No change of this magnitude can be made without upsetting someone.

I agree and, like Dodson, find the harking back to glory years annoying but I don't really like statements like:

"If you listen to the people who bleat the loudest, they are the people who least understand it and who don't want anything to change...Change is great when it's not happening to you, I find. People who are still banging on about it are either ill-informed or will never change anyway."

Just unnecessarilly dismissive about people who disagree with you. They might be wrong but at least they are taking an interest

[Big D]

The big thing is the SRU asked the top 2 divisions what would they want to do to make it better and aid progression for players, coaches and refs. They came up with piss all so the SRU has had to take action. This apparently has been spoken to WR about and they support the idea.

Players aren't getting a high enough level of rugby, the level 4 qualified coached aren't being pushed enough and WR has said our domestic refs and being exposed to high enough quality games.

[hugh_woatmeigh]

How can you be dual registered as a pro in the super 6 and an amateur in whatever is below that if player payments are banned below?

Surely the issue will persist? Professional players farmed out to amateur clubs when not needed/recovering from injury?

[Big D]

How can you be dual registered as a pro in the super 6 and an amateur in whatever is below that if player payments are banned below?

Surely the issue will persist? Professional players farmed out to amateur clubs when not needed/recovering from injury?

There won't be anywhere near as many pro's (Edinburgh and Glasgow players) playing at that level. IIRC It will only be rare cases e.g players returning from long term injury that will see exceptions made.

Edinburgh and Glasgow will have more A games across borders next year apparently. Both Cockerill and Rennie want that and the SRU have bought into that idea.

The bulk of players in the super 6 will be effectively be amateurs getting a top up of their working wage by playing rugby. As i understood it, it will still be guys training on the paddock twice a week, fitting in gym sessions and working. But they will have access to basically professional coaching, facilities and support staff.

[af73]

That last bit sounds interesting.
Results and progress of the U20's suggest the academy structure, elite development etc is now bearing fruit in terms of the number and preparedness of our young players in the professional arena.

The Super 6 is another avenue for those, often termed 'late developers' who didn't come through pathways but may, given a glimpse of the requirements of full-time rugby, be of the mind to make the step up.

Bridging the gap between pro and fully amateur presents realizable benefits for Pro team coaches wishing to explore the available talent. And for some players (and coaches) to perhaps think about rugby as a career even in the medium term (whether or not it leads to representative honours) with a trade or profession to return to.

[Big D]

That last bit sounds interesting.
Results and progress of the U20's suggest the academy structure, elite development etc is now bearing fruit in terms of the number and preparedness of our young players in the professional arena.

The Super 6 is another avenue for those, often termed 'late developers' who didn't come through pathways but may, given a glimpse of the requirements of full-time rugby, be of the mind to make the step up.

Bridging the gap between pro and fully amateur presents realizable benefits for Pro team coaches wishing to explore the available talent. And for some players (and coaches) to perhaps think about rugby as a career even in the medium term (whether or not it leads to representative honours) with a trade or profession to return to.

The SRU are allocating a sum of money (75k iirc) for coaching etc. They won't impose coaches on clubs except to say the coaches should be working towards or have UKCC4 which narrows down the pool considerably.

I thought it interesting that the A teams of the pro sides will have more games. Makes a lot of sense.

The SRU were also at pains to state it is not a professional set up. I guess The best way to look at it is a condensed higher quality version of the premiership but with a more professional off field set up.