James Farquhar’s Post

#4 of 4 on the future of Welsh Rugby - The most important. Bring Passion Back to Grassroots Rugby Welsh rugby’s soul lies in its grassroots. Every village, school, and community club is a seedbed for future talent and fan engagement. Yet, for years, grassroots rugby has been neglected in favour of top-down initiatives that fail to resonate. I would redirect significant funding and attention to grassroots rugby, ensuring clubs have the resources to thrive. This means subsidizing coaching, improving facilities, and fostering inclusivity—not as a politically correct tick-box exercise but as a genuine commitment to growing the game. The WRU must inspire the next generation by investing in youth programs that are visible, accessible, and aspirational. Rugby in Wales should be a national movement, not a corporate monolith. In addition, it is a national disgrace that, even now, there are no Welsh coaches being considered to replace Gatland. Surely this is the most glaring failure of Welsh Rugby. They have spent nothing on bringing through Welsh coaches, mostly in favour of NZ solutions. Look at Scotland and what Gregor Townsend has achieved and where they sit in comparison to Wales, oh and they only have 2 pro teams. But hang on Welsh parochialism would insist on more not fewer teams. Therein lies the difference.

Nelson College is seeking intervention from New Zealand Rugby (NZR) after an "unjust, discriminatory, and inconsistent" decision by Tasman Rugby Union, NZ (TRU) will mean it will be the only boys' school in the country excluded from playing age group rugby. The school has sent an urgent request to NZR asking it to establish a new, fairer, independent club status application process. It is in response to a proposal from the Tasman Rugby Union to no longer permit Nelson College to participate in Saturday rugby, because it is not a club. Instead, the TRU asks that U14, U15, U16 college players play exclusively for local rugby clubs. Nelson College has been told that TRU’s rationale includes fostering club rugby to support senior rugby pathways and concerns about the perceived decline in services within the college’s junior rugby programme recently. Nelson College Principal Richard Washington says he is extremely disappointed with the "poor process" for how TRU arrived at its "incorrect assessment of the college’s junior programme" and the rationale that fielding Nelson College teams is detrimental to regional rugby. “Rather than stopping Nelson College playing, in my view clubs have an opportunity to work closer with the schools that don’t have a rugby programme, like the collaborative partnership we have with FC Nelson for football. I would be happy to share with the other schools how we work with FC Nelson if this would be helpful.” Read the full article: https://lnkd.in/g9ECC6Uc #NelsonTasman #NelsonCollege #TasmanRugbyUnion #ClubRugby

#2 Strengthening Welsh Rugby Beneath the Pro Game The heart of Welsh Rugby has always been its grassroots—local clubs, schools, and communities where players first fall in love with the game. But for too long, the connection between the community and the professional game has been fragmented. It’s time to rebuild that bridge with a clear, sustainable structure beneath the pro game. Semi-Professional Rugby: A strong semi-pro system governed by three districts (Llanelli, Cardiff, and Newport)(not the clubs) will provide the vital link between community rugby and the professional game. Each district will manage its league, aligning development programs to ensure players, coaches, and referees have a clear pathway to progress. A national competition will offer semi-pro teams the chance to shine, creating competitive rugby that inspires the next generation. Community Rugby: This is where the magic begins. Grassroots rugby must be inclusive and accessible, with opportunities for all ages, genders, and abilities. Community clubs will operate under their district’s guidance, offering tiered leagues to cater to everyone from social players to serious competitors. Programs like youth development leagues, school partnerships, and even walking rugby will ensure everyone can experience the joy of rugby. Pro Club Support: The professional clubs will play an active role in supporting their districts. Imagine pro players mentoring local teams, coaching sessions for young talent, and shared resources to ensure every club has the tools to succeed. When grassroots and semi-pro rugby thrive, the whole system benefits. Stronger districts mean more talent for the pro game, a deeper connection to fans, and a renewed sense of pride in our communities. The foundation is there; you just need to build on it.

I've written 3 suggestions for fixing Welsh Rugby #1 Reimagining Welsh Rugby's Professional Game Welsh Rugby is at a crossroads, and bold reform is needed to secure its future. The current structure has diluted resources, fractured fan bases, and struggled to compete on the global stage. It's time to return to their roots while building for the future. Imagine a professional system with three historic clubs—Llanelli, Cardiff, and Newport—at its heart. These iconic names carry decades of tradition, pride, and a deep connection to their communities. By focusing on quality over quantity, this streamlined model can create stronger teams capable of competing internationally, reignite local passion, and offer clear pathways for young talent to succeed. But it’s not just about the pro game. These clubs must be the cornerstone of their districts, (see #3) supporting grassroots rugby by funding development programs, coaching initiatives, and community engagement. Strong pro clubs can be beacons of inspiration, but their success must ripple through every level of the sport. Welsh Rugby’s future depends on honoring their history while embracing the changes needed to thrive in a modern game. It’s time to unify behind a vision that works for players, fans, and communities alike. Wales can build a rugby system that reflects their values, supports their talent, and secures their place on the global stage. #regionsarefinished #focusonfuture #nosoftoptions #itstime

Let’s Get Behind School Rugby Throughout the course of this week, the National Schools’ Rugby Sevens will see over 14,000 players in over 1000 teams compete in a variety of competitions. Some are here to win it, some aiming to progress further than before and others participating for the experience. Whilst Rugby is addressing legitimate challenges, it is also a game that continues to capture the imagination of large numbers. The era of compulsory rugby is long gone, and these children are participating because they love the game. It never was a sport for everyone, but continues to be one which enriches the lives of many, providing lifelong memories and friendships. There is something captivatingly attractive about Rugby, though its leaders are curiously reluctant to articulate its benefits more widely. Those of us who have been positively impacted by the game have to be more vocal in our support: the modern game is a niche experience, with unique benefits and challenges. But, those who love it, love it as much as they ever did. Let’s get behind school Rugby - and lifelong friendships

Off topic, but for Australian Rugby enthusiasts, the following revised Sydney/NSW Schoolboy competition proposal for 2025 provides an example of how institutions can change, this proposal must have Sydney/NSW Schoolboy Rugby and the future improvement of Rugby in Australia at its core - a great step in the right direction for Rugby in Australia https://lnkd.in/g-nZBa5J

An invaluable few days at Rugby Australia engaging with some quality people. Rugby in Australia is poised for a transformative decade with landmark events on the horizon: the 2025 Lions Tour, the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup, and the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup. These events are set to elevate the game both domestically, in the Pacific and globally. Since Rugby Australia’s strategic reset & recharge last year, it is evident that planning and execution towards achieving their goals on and off the field are well underway. The forward-thinking concepts, initiatives, and programs within their performance and community development efforts are world-class. In one of the most competitive sporting landscapes this is a significant undertaking by one of our key Member Unions. With the continued alignment of vital stakeholders and the ongoing support of valued partners, the journey ahead for rugby in Australia and the Pacific looks both exciting and promising. #leadership #partnership #movingthegameforward World Rugby Oceania Rugby

Admittedly, I had a knee jerk reaction when I saw all the pink and purple in the World Rugby initiative Rugby Rising Play. (Sidenote: at 42 years old I'm working on understanding my own conditioning against societally identified "girlie things".) But looking at the broader negative reactions to this promo, reinforced self-reflection regarding my initial reaction and how that conflicts with my genuine belief about the sport of rugby - Women and girls are diverse, and all types of folks play and enjoy rugby. I have arrived here: This promo video is a good reminder that we need many different paths to entry into the game that make all people and children feel comfortable to join the game. Rugby is not just about being tough, it is also about finesse, tactics, style, and evolving as a game - and for that we need all kinds of people to join. If there is a sector of girls that will see this and feel that rugby is a place where they may belong - as fans or as athletes - it is a good thing and I applaud it. Women and girls are NOT a monolith, even in a tenacious sport. Some of the best athletes I coached only ever participated in theater or cheerleading or music and they applied their focus and became amazing rugby players. We as a rugby community have to reach our hands out to every type of person and let them decide if they want to be a part of the community. This World Rugby promo is an example of that. And YES, rugby needs fans! So even when people try rugby and find that playing the sport isn't for them, there is still a place for them as a fan. As for the fandom, children - especially girls, can find strength in watching others display their toughness. We allow boys who have never played Pee-Wee Football (little kids American football) to watch and admire the NFL players each week. We see how it makes them feel powerful and confident, so why not girls and rugby? Are we, as a rugby community, defining little girls who like pink, purple, and sparkles and resigning them to be moms and caretakers only?!? If so, that is absolute rubbish. So let's broaden the circle - that's what the women+ of this game have been doing. You should continue to follow our lead.

Our rugby blog is up and today we compare the international youth tournament - U20 Rugby World Cup with the previous tournaments of the early 2000s - the IRB U19 and U21 tournaments. Which competition was better as a sporting product? "Youth rugby has always been a critical component in the development of future rugby stars, and the evolution of international youth tournaments reflects the sport’s ongoing efforts to nurture young talent. The transition from the IRB U19 and U21 tournaments to the current Junior U20 World Cup has marked a significant shift in how young rugby players are developed and showcased on the global stage. This article examines the differences between these tournaments, evaluates which is the better sporting product, and assesses which format has been more successful in producing top-tier rugby talent." To read more of this article, click on the link below: https://lnkd.in/gHyYpvhV #sports #content #rugbyunion #athletes #youthrugby #marketing #blog #article #writing #sportsbusiness

Deeds not words