BBC RUGBY NEWS
Henson targeting World Cup place
Gavin Henson says he wants to win back a place in the Wales team in time for the 2011 Rugby World Cup.
Chuter warns against complacency
Leicester Tigers hooker George Chuter warns his side against complacency when they host Exeter Chiefs on Saturday.
Sarries can bounce back - Wyles
Saracens full-back Chris Wyles says his side will bounce back from their over-confident display in their defeat by London Irish.
Canada flanker signs for Glasgow
Glasgow Warriors sign Canada international Chauncey O'Toole on a short-term contract after impressing during a brief trial in pre-season.
Best and Ferris rested by Ulster
Rory Best and Stephen Ferris are left out of Ulster's squad for Saturday's Magners League match against Aironi.
Blues' Halfpenny still sidelined
Team news and preview ahead of Saturday's Magners League match at Dublin's RDS Showground.
Johnson hails 'diverse' Magners
Ospreys boss Scott Johnson says the revamped Magners League "cosmopolitan" with a "completely different philosophy" to its rivals.
NZ edge England to win World Cup
New Zealand's women break English hearts as they retain their World Cup crown in a nail-biting and hard-fought contest at The Stoop.
Gatland to decide on Wales future
Wales coach Warren Gatland says he will know his plans beyond the World Cup "over the next month".
Bath sign French winger Boussuge
Bath sign France sevens and former Under-21 winger Jacques Boussuge on a one-year deal from Montpellier.
NZ HERALD RUGBY NEWS
All Blacks: Smith hopeful for Hong Kong
Revelations the Bledisloe Cup rugby road show to Hong Kong has been jeopardised by meagre ticket sales have disappointed All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith.The New Zealand Rugby Union yesterday confirmed demand for the October...
Rugby: Another blow for Kahui
All Blacks centre Richard Kahui looks to have succumbed to yet another shoulder injury.Kahui fell on his shoulder during his comeback match for Waikato in the ITM Cup and has been closely monitored this week.It was Kahui's...
Rugby: Wallabies out to break another hoodoo
One hoodoo down, one to go on Saturday. That's Wallabies centre Adam Ashley-Cooper's refreshingly straightforward thinking as the Wallabies aim to avert a record-breaking 10th straight loss to the All Blacks.Saturday's final 2010...
All Blacks: McCaw set to decide future
All Black captain Richie McCaw will be giving his playing future serious consideration after this Saturday's final Tri-Nations test of the year.McCaw is one of the NZRU big targets along with star first five Daniel Carter. He...
Rugby: Hong Kong test in doubt?
The Hong Kong Rugby Football Union has moved swiftly to quash speculation that the fourth Bledisloe Cup test in Hong Kong will be shifted to another venue.There have been concerns from the New Zealand and Australian Rugby Unions...
All Blacks: Stepping into Carter's boots
Challenges do not come much greater than testicular cancer for a teenager, especially a rugby-mad one like Aaron Cruden.Perhaps that explains his upbeat view about his first test start on Saturday, against the Wallabies in Sydney.He...
Rugby: Cooper as elusive as ever
Quade Cooper's side step was in full view today as the mercurial first five-eighth refused to be pinned down on some tricky issues once the Wallabies rugby side returned from South Africa.Cooper's instinctive approach to playmaking...
Rugby: White lurking to replace de Villiers
South Africa coach Peter de Villiers is facing a battle to keep his job after five losses in six Tri-Nations games and reports linking 2007 World Cup-winning coach Jake White with a return to leading the Springboks.De Villiers...
Rugby: Wallabies strive to scale new heights
Rarefied air to an all-time low - that's the downward trajectory the Wallabies risk following as they moved focus from a historic rugby victory in South Africa to a potentially record losing streak against the All Blacks.The Wallabies...
All Black coach likely to lose home after earthquake
All Black assistant coach Steve Hansen and his family face an uncertain future in their Tai Tapu home, renovated only two months ago.Hansen delayed his departure to Australia with the All Blacks to assess the quake damage that...
About Us Contact Us Donations Become a Sponsor

What is your position on the current restructuring of Rugby Canada and the firing of Morgan Williams the 7s coach?
Actively opposed
Quietly opposed
What restructuring?
Quietly supportive
Actively supportive
Not enough info
Clubs
Women
Juniors
Over 40s
Schedules
Tournaments
Referees
Photos
Videos
Editorials
Links
Other
Home
 
 

BCRU / CRU communications SEND TO FACEBOOK


BCRU / CRU
©
Rugby Canada President Roger Smith Responds Quickly to BCRU Concerns

[ed. I would be cautiously optimistic on this but I'll wait to see the 'new era' of communication unfold before I believe it's more than just words.]

by Ben Buan

- BCRU Lauds Rugby Canada President’s Commitment to More Open Dialogue

In a March 1st conference call, Rugby Canada Roger Smith went a long way toward addressing the concerns of the BC rugby community over communication difficulties, which were the subject of a recent open letter from the BCRU board of directors.

BCRU president Doug Campbell chaired the call and along with Mr. Smith the participants included representatives of the Vancouver, Vancouver Island and Fraser Valley unions along with the representatives of the James Bay, Castaway Wanderers, Meraloma, Burnaby, Bayside and Capilano clubs.

Mr. Smith made it clear that Rugby Canada now understands that the 3-week April playoff window for the CDI Premiership must not be interfered with going forward. Mr. Smith also explained the difficulties Rugby Canada experiences in trying to arrange tours for the NSMT, NSWT and age grade sides. Mr. Smith assured the participants that he had explored all avenues in the last few days to try and reschedule the U21 tour to the Caymans, but without success.

Mr. Smith understood the concerns of many that the players are put in a difficult situation where they must choose between club and country, and this was particularly so with respect to the U21 tour. Mr. Smith confirmed that the Cayman’s tour is an identification tour and that players already known to Rugby Canada need not fear that their chances of selection in the future will be impaired if they elect to stay at home and participate in the Premiership playoffs.

With respect to carded NSMT players, Mr. Smith alerted the group that heading into a World Cup year, clubs must be prepared for the fact that these carded players likely will not have many opportunities to play club rugby in the 2006-2007 season.

Considerable discussion took place over practical ways in which Rugby Canada and the BCRU and its member clubs could improve communications between them. To this end a draft protocol is being worked out between Mr. Smith and Mr. Campbell. It is designed to set out the agreed upon procedures to be followed with respect to scheduling tours and other events that may impact on clubs and their players. It was agreed that this protocol will go a long way to eliminating some of the irritants of the past.

Mr. Smith also responded favourably to the suggestion that the proposed protocol should contain a clear statement of important principles such as those behind selections, and those governing the purposes and objectives of tours.

The parties agreed that each would identify a primary contact person through whom communications will be directed in order to ensure that important matters such as confidentiality are respected.

Mr. Smith said that within days he would be providing Mr. Campbell with an event and tour schedule for the National teams covering the next two years. This will avoid conflict with BCRU playoffs and will allow clubs to make advance plans to work around as much as possible national team camps and competitions for which their players may be selected.

All participants agreed that the 90-minute conference call was extremely productive and efforts will be made to make it a regularly scheduled event. Mr. Smith will be in Vancouver for the Rounsefell Cup finals and hopes to have an opportunity to meet with many club representatives and players during his stay here.

If the clarity and frankness of communication exhibited in the conference call can be maintained going forward, covering all matters of mutual concern to Rugby Canada and the BCRU, the health of the game is sure to improve.
 
Site Created by MC Bryant - editor@bcrugbynews.com
 
 
SPONSORS
Ed Fairhurst Investment Advisor
Mike James Mortgage Specialist
ScrumMaster

OTHER SPONSORS

Heritage House Trophies

Coast Roofing

Make a donation to BC Rugby News online (PayPal)