Welsh regional rugby seems to be approaching a state of turmoil with arguably its strongest side (in recent years at least), The Ospreys, parting company with its Head Coach and its Coaching Director (surely the same job?) to be replaced by Steve Tandy (an inexperienced replacement).
I've always felt that the Ospreys' birth was somewhat inauspicious. After all it was the combination of two fervent rivals; Swansea (white kit) and Neath (black kit). Whilst the temptation to clothe the new team in grey was thankfully avoided (!), the name itself had to be invented - there being no word in Welsh for 'osprey' (there being no ospreys in Wales).
Notwithstanding these factors, The Ospreys have played well, even winning the Celtic League. However, as with all Welsh regions, it's really noticeable, especially compared to most of the Irish regions, that the crowds are small.
Whenever I'm in Carmarthenshire, I'm amazed by how few locals bother to go to see the games live. But then, with them being covered live on TV there's little incentive to do so. I don't know how the economics of regional rugby stack up in Wales but I can't help but feel that if gates were similar to those in Ireland the financial position of the teams involved could only be enhanced.
Whilst the teams have all achieved some measure of success on the field, the marketing of the game to the potential live audience has been a failure, in my eyes at least.
I've always felt that the Ospreys' birth was somewhat inauspicious. After all it was the combination of two fervent rivals; Swansea (white kit) and Neath (black kit). Whilst the temptation to clothe the new team in grey was thankfully avoided (!), the name itself had to be invented - there being no word in Welsh for 'osprey' (there being no ospreys in Wales).
Notwithstanding these factors, The Ospreys have played well, even winning the Celtic League. However, as with all Welsh regions, it's really noticeable, especially compared to most of the Irish regions, that the crowds are small.
Whenever I'm in Carmarthenshire, I'm amazed by how few locals bother to go to see the games live. But then, with them being covered live on TV there's little incentive to do so. I don't know how the economics of regional rugby stack up in Wales but I can't help but feel that if gates were similar to those in Ireland the financial position of the teams involved could only be enhanced.
Whilst the teams have all achieved some measure of success on the field, the marketing of the game to the potential live audience has been a failure, in my eyes at least.
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