Welcome to the third posting of Shout.I have recently been in conversation with Geoff Brown of the Hull Wasps Basketball Club. He provided me with some startling news as to the amount spent on administration. I had no idea as to the cost of a player’s registration, but if asked to guess would not have been close to the actual price. I am familiar with many of the organisations and schemes that provide funding and assistance for grassroots clubs and I admire the work they do and they are necessary for the development level of sports and participators. In 2012 sport is put into the spotlight. Individual athletes can be funded through UK Sport and similar organisations. Traditional sports are funded at development level and a number of schemes are available to pyramid clubs to develop training, facilities etc. The financial situations can be improved with a greater chance of sponsorship for teams in mainstream sport.
The sports that have less national exposure, including some with strong branding in other parts of the world, seem unable to improve financially when they move through the levels of their sport. We should look after the development of clubs as well as developing general participation. Foundations of any sport must be solid but we must provide funding and support at every level to sustain growth. So why don’t we provide a fund that will assist in administration costs by subsidising player and club registration costs at least? This would give clubs more money to promote their sport and organisation in the local community, still allowing the sports governing organisation to continue to promote the sport nationally.
At the time of writing this post John Terry is in talks with Fabio Capello. I hope the outcome is that John Terry resigns the England Captaincy or at the very least accepts a break. Many have commented on the moral issue, I suspect my thoughts mirror that of the majority of the nation. I have great sympathy with the innocent, Toni Poole, their children and Wayne Bridge and I imagine Mr Terry himself feels a bit of a fool. We must get this back to a football matter for England. The other side of the fall out is now private. Resignation is the best way for John Terry to move forward. He still can go to the World Cup on a years suspension of his captaincy. OK he would still not captain England through the World Cup, but it is an option. It is important for Mr Capello to make the decision as the England football manager on football issues only. Three questions have to be answered. 1) Has or will JT’s form suffer? He is one of Europe's best centre backs after all. 2) Will team morale be affected by his inclusion? 3) Is our cover better at centre back or left back to cope with squad withdrawals. Depending on the answers to these questions I hope Fabio will base his decision on football, which I imagine would be to take John Terry to South Africa.
The Superleague began last week. Crusaders have moved from Bridgeend to Wrexham. They hosted, champions Leeds Rhinos last weekend and kept in touch with them for an hour of the game before losing. The game was a sell out at the Racecourse Ground when 10000 people turned out to see for themselves rugby league in North Wales. I hope that Crusaders grow and advance the growth of rugby league to new areas. The RFL went to long lengths before awarding new licenses. These steps included financial stability to location. So questions have been asked about a breach of conditions just a year after awarding the licences. That said, Crusaders look on course to be a success at their new home. The next round of Superleague licenses is 2012. The RFL is unsure of the club but accept that it would widen the availability of rugby league. It should be giving licenses to compete in the National Championship, affectively becoming Superleague 2. This would give clubs a probation period and time to increase fan base and secure their financial footing.
Football clubs precarious financial situation is still prominent in the news. Crystal Palace reacted to administration with encouraging displays on the pitch, including an F.A.Cup win against Wolves, with a perfect hat trick from right back Danny Butterfield. Notts County have a stay of execution with the best chants coming from Dagenham & Redbridge fans ‘Your grounds been sold to IKEA’ as Sven took his seat. Portsmouth continue to be a soap opera, a new owner just this morning, who already wants to sell it on. I hope it’s sorted soon for Pompey, the fans deserve it. Lack of business before the transfer window must mean Portsmouth have a chance of survival.
Turning to rugby union and Danny Cipriani is turning his back on England heading to the Super15 new boys Melbourne Rebels in October. The deal being clinched on the eve of the 6 Nations. Our predictions are Ireland to retain the championship with France pushing them. No truth in the rumour that, following his handling skills, Thiery Henry will be available for selection at centre for France.
This month at SportTrades we have secured deals at a number of racecourses, including Cheltenham, Ascot and Kempton Park for sponsorship of individual races or entire cards. You can get more information on our ‘Racing for Success’ campaign by contacting us at info@sporttrades.co.uk. We will be in a position to name the backer for our Girls in Football Premier Sponsorship package very soon, but there is still the Regional and Development packages available. SportTrades are finalising details regarding three new major clients, we will release more details by mid February. SportTrades Report continues to grow, with new features ‘Kevin and Paddy on Rugby League’ and ‘Who let the Dogs out?’. Our F.A.Cup Tracker will feature Fulham v Notts County in the next round, with Accrington Stanley leading the Merit Table with 4 appearances.
And of course we continue to follow the Iceman and his Chieftains team as they head towards the end of season run-in and the countdown to the post-season play-offs.
See you in March.
Rob McAvoy
Since writing this post, John Terry has been stripped of the England Captaincy
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