Rassie Erasmus tried to make a statement when he resigned from his post at Western Province rugby, the question now remains whether anyone would be willing to listen?
Unfortunately I don’t think so. History (as Rassie touched on when he chatted to Gavin Rich) at this union suggests that nothing will change where on-field results will take a backseat to political agendas being pushed from inside the corridors of WP Rugby HQ.
In speaking out, Erasmus said that the top brass at WP would be best served to re-evaluate their criteria for appointing the next top coaching boss at Newlands, because as things stand what is required is not a person employed on his rugby and coaching ability, but rather someone who can deal efficiently with politics.
The statement itself is a shocking indictment of the state of affairs in South Africa’s biggest union and just how badly matters have deteriorated over the last decade.
Any professional organization at any level has to create a culture of excellence amongst all its members if it has any hope to succeed. Even if you only have one or two disruptive figures in such an environment you stand a chance to derail any possible measure of success you hope to achieve.
Not only did Erasmus state this quite clearly to be the case, but understanding the inner workings of WP Rugby one can easily see how this situation is amplified ten-fold.
In an ‘open letter to fans’ WP Rugby went to great lengths to explain the structure of the union.
“The Western Province Rugby Football Union is governed by an eleven member executive council and the CEO of the WPRFU. This council is elected biennially by the 90 clubs which make up the constituents of the WPRFU union.
“To give further clarity to this structure it is important to note that the WPRFU has two arms, the one being the amateur arm and the other the professional arm. The professional arm is a division of WPRFU and is defined as WP Rugby (Pty.ltd). This is a separate company of which the WPRFU is a 75% shareholder.
“The WP Rugby (Pty.ltd) is responsible for the contracting and administration of the professional players and the commercialisation of the game.”
What the above basically illustrates is that the professional arm – which contracts players, coaches and support staff like Erasmus – is 75% owned by the amateur arm made up of 11 executive council members and a CEO which the 90-odd clubs within the union elects into power.
As is the case with any election process, candidates try to gain support for themselves be embarking on political campaigns in which there can be no doubt that a lot of promises are being made to clubs to secure their votes.
Where this game becomes dangerous is when the influence of the elected officials is of such a nature that it has a direct effect on the professional matters of the organization in delivering those promises – as is the case within WP Rugby.
This is not to say that clubs should not have any influence within the union because their survival and contribution to the professional structures of the organization is vital, but you simply cannot have a situation where unqualified club officials are contracted professionally to the union as coaching and support staff ahead of experienced individuals – and in Erasmus’ case, against his will and even knowledge!
The situation within WP Rugby union probably best illustrates how the game of rugby is struggling to come to terms with professionalism. If the professional arm of a union is responsible for the commercialisation of the game and brand of the union (according to the open letter from WP Rugby), which no doubt includes on-field success and trophies, then you cannot entertain any thoughts of favouritism or nepotism, but only allow the best qualified individuals to run matters. In short, it is not a place for amateurs with personal, political agendas.
In his parting words Erasmus also offered some very sage advice not only to the union, but to its fans. As much as people blame coaches for not selecting local club players they also need to understand that players these days are contracted at school level on junior contracts to the highest bidder, where the geographical location of that school has little to do where that individual may end up. This makes the contracting of club players to professional ranks the exception rather than the rule.
This all begs the question that if clubs, in the professional era contributes very little directly the to the professional structures of the union, how do they end up owning, and basically running, 75% of the professional arm?
This is possibly the best quote to end this column and it comes from Rassie Erasmus;
“When I took the job my predecessor Nick Mallett wished me luck and said I would need it. I didn’t know what he meant by that, but I do now.”
I can only conclude the same thing many has mentioned before, it is about time stakeholders and specifically supporters of the game catch a wake-up and realize how professionalism has changed the game of rugby because if they don’t, nothing will change.
elcamino
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February 6th, 2012 at 1:01 pm
The unfortunate truth is that
the split in thinking is
running on race lines.
Tobie Titus won’t even get a
job as shelf-packing manager
with Shoprite.
February 6th, 2012 at 1:07 pm
I am considering supporting the Cheetahs this season!
February 6th, 2012 at 1:10 pm
This topic drives me nuts … seriously. I’ve lived through this same shit for years as a Lions supporter.
Rugby in SA is not a professional sport. It is amateurs being paid professional salaries. The amateurs run the show and will NEVER ever willingly give up their power. The power cannot be taken out of their hands without changing constitutions and to do that you need a majority vote and who’s doing the voting?
The problems will never go away as things stand.
What is required is a completely new structure standing apart from the amateur structure. An NFL-type professionals only structure is needed that is run on business principles.
To do this changes are required that the IRB will not agree with. So, someone somewhere is needed to start a new structure apart from the IRB. Players are contracted so it will take time to get them to migrate to the separate structure. This is the only way. Amateurs are not going to give away their power inside the current system.
This is not just a WP problem. This is everywhere. Some unions just do it better than others and some manages to keep the shit out of the public eye.
February 6th, 2012 at 1:28 pm
11 Executives?
February 6th, 2012 at 3:10 pm
Haha some funny predictions
hobo’s predictions:
With the Super 15 season just weeks away it is time that we look into the chances of each side in the competition.Presented henceforth is an in-depth review of all 15 sides. Lets start with the South African sides.
The Shorks: are lead by Pat Lambhair who dazzles not only with his feet but with the fleece that grows atop his melon. Generally, men with curly hair are superior rugby players and Lambhair is no exception. Elsewhere, perennial whinger John Smit has gone which means that Keegan Daniel is now the captain which is stupid because THE BEAST is the obvious choice. With THE BEAST emitting his supernatural presence from the sidelines and Lambhair taking care of business on the pitch, I cannot see any way that the Shorks will not dominate the South African conference and potentially, the world. Prediction: 1st overall
The Cheetahs: are set to be kicked out of the competition so who cares? Having apparently learn’t nothing since apartheid the SARU has decided it is in the best interest’s of racial harmony to kick out a team so another can play based purely on race. The good news is Juan Smith will no longer have to waste his talents with this terrible side. Prediction: Kicked out
The Bulls: have lost Big Victor which means that the man at the peak of the evolutionary curve of human beings, Pierre Spies, will captain a bunch of orge-like individuals in 2012. The Bulls will employ their most physically grotesque players at the breakdown in an effort to disgust their opponents in a tactic that has served the Bulls well in previous years. Unfortunately ‘Cop Killer’ Bees Roux is no longer with the squad which will unfortunately weaken the team. Losing their only convicted murder (no other Bulls have been caught) will put other sides at ease. Prediction: 2nd in SA conference.
The Stormers: are an OK team and generally get OK results. Are they going to win anything? Nah. But they will be OK. In the backs they have Jean De Villiers who is good, but then they have Habana who is bad. So, overall, the backline is OK. In the forwards they can be excited about Schalk Burger and Andries Bekker who are good, but then the rest are not. So, overall, the forwards OK. I expect an average season from the Stormers, who will win about half of their games. Prediction: 3rd in SA conference.
The Lions: seem to have tonnes of money or no money at all. Irregardless, they a **** side that is a complete joke and will get smashed week in, week out. With an impressive resume boasting nothing but loss and disappointment, John Mitchell will coach the toothless Lions to their impending doom. The only positive is that Butch James will play for the Lions which will be mildly amusing. Prediction: Butch James to have more red cards than the Lions have wins.
New Zealand has five teams also, lets have a close look at why they suck.
The Thiefs: have recruited Money-Bill Williams and Arron Cruden during the theft-season. Unfortunately for rugby enthusiasts in the Southern Hempisphere, Quack-quack Donald has left to have a Bath so the Waikato Thiefs are no longer a running joke. Thiefs coach, Dave Rennie, appears to still be feeling the effects of multiple seasons of inept performance as he has unconventionally named two captains for the 2012 season. It appears that the legacy of muddled idiocy instilled in the side by Quack-quack Donald still remains at a core level. Prediction: 3rd in NZ conference.
The Blues: have also taken part in the thievery, stealing Ma’a Nonu and Piri Weepu from the ‘Canes to give themselves a slightly chance this year. Also, like the Thiefs, the Blues have rid themselves of their error-riddled fly half. The departure of Stephan Brett was cause for wild celebration by all citizens of Auckland, but now that the festivities of Brett’s departure are over, the time has come for the failure to be blamed on a new man, Piri Weepu. Prediction: 1st in NZ
The ‘Saders: usually win a lot and it doesn’t seem to matter that their stadium got knocked over because they still made the grand final. Fortunately for all, Richie McCheat is still injured, as his bum buddy, Dan Carter. So the rest of the competition now has a chance to put some sort of a gap in on the ‘Saders early on. But the horsie men from Canterbury are always annoyingly good and will be annoying everyone again this year. Prediction: 2nd in NZ
The ‘Canes: might as well not turn up this year. They have retained their coach, Mark Hammett, but have unfortunately not retained the semblance of a rugby team. Usually the ‘Canes get a few wins and rely on critical errors to lose games, however, 2012 will be much simpler for them, as they will get thrashed on a weekly basis with this joke of a squad. Prediction: last in NZ
The Highlanders: have also participated in the Wellington ram-raid, stealing Andrew Hore and Hosea Gear from the ‘Canes during the off-season. But, unfortunately, they are still the Highlanders. Self-proclaimed comedian James Haskell obviously impressed the Otago management during England’s trip last season and has also been signed to the Highlanders for 2012. This will surely lead to many pranks of a humorous nature in Otago’s hotels and dressing rooms which will provide a welcome distraction from the poor results on the field. Prediction: Second last in NZ
Australia has a few bad teams as well.
The Rebels: have had a nice off-season with some summer shopping and have recruited James O’Beiber as well as Kurtley Beale. However, the Rebels are still a ****py team with no firepower up front. Much to the amusement of rugby fans, Danny Cipriani looks set to retain his spot at fly-half which is sure to have disastrous consequences. Old man Mortlock will still hobble around the park, as will Rodzilla, so it appears as though the Rebels are going nowhere once again. Prediction: 2nd last in AUS conference.
The Farce: have already lost their Kiwi fly-half, Willie Ripia, after he was caught stealing from teammates in the locker-room. Having now learn’t from the risks of employing New Zealand citizens it appears as though the Farce are bound for another season of disappointment with Nick ‘Honey Badger’ ***mins the only real draw-card for fans of the ludicrous. Prediction:a distant 3rd in AUS conference.
The Reds: are the current champions and have been blessed with a long-term injury to fan favorite Quade Cooper. Cooper’s absence will solidify the Red’s and with Digby crab dancing his way to the try-line each week the Australian conference is as good as won. Prediction: 1st in AUS conference.
The HorrorTahs: are the England of Super Rugby in that they are constantly listless, boring and one dimensional. Happily, Horrortah management has got rid of their most dynamic player, Kurtley Beale, so that line breaks have been completely eradicated from the Horrortah playbook. Brumby traitor Rocky Elsom will fittingly captain the Horrortahs as he epitomizes how lazy and pathetic the franchise has become. Prediction: 2nd in AUS conference.
The Brumbies: have nothing going for them at all. Their best players have left, the crowd has left and, worst of all, they all have to live in Canberra. Along with the Hurricanes and the Cheetahs this is one of the worst teams in the competition and I will be shocked if they record more than a solitary victory this year. Doctor, this horse has a broken leg, it is time to put her down. Prediction: Dead last.
February 7th, 2012 at 4:08 am
Reply to kwagga @ 3:10 pm: LOL that is awesome!!!!
On a serious note, the above article highlights why I ditched (hooped jumper an all) supporting province, 3 years ago for the Shorks( 1Sharks, Cheetahs and Lions, 2rd Bulls and Problems).
As my dad says: Booi there is more politics in rugby than rugby itslef. Ahmen
February 8th, 2012 at 8:50 am
You know I have people I know.
One is a psychologist specializing in kids and her hubby similarly is the product of psychologists’ union.
And yet when t came to parenting one could use them as a “how not to” guide book. I mean if you want to see how not to raise kids then one just needs to look at them. Everything they did…
I suppose if, you are on the outside looking in, like our writers and probably most fans, and even (if WP fans will permit) us from other parts of the country can see the problem one cannot see a problem if you are right there in it.
Often your own emotional ties to a situation means you cannot see what a disaster you are creating or involved in.
Let me put it differently.
If you are sitting in your car looking at the road in front of you only it looks quite safe and clear but you’re not paying attention properly because a pedestrian is about to play chicken from the pavement, a glass bakkie is pulling off his side parking without looking and a truck from a side street is about to pull into the road without stopping… but if you’re just looking ahead you never see the danger till disaster strikes…
In WP… well Matt Stevens, Dan Vickerman, Mouritz Botha, Schalk Britz, Johan Salie, Josh Strauss, Francois Louw…
They’re all lost WP talent…
The administrators can keep looking at the clean road ahead but they’re not hearing their engine sputter, seeing the dirty exhaust fumes in the mirrors throwing spouts of smoke or the disasters approaching from the side…
The road ahead is clear and …