Peeblesshire News | Sport | Borders pro status fears

Thursday, 21st August, 2008

Published: Tuesday, 23rd August, 2005 15:38

Borders pro status fears

BORDERS Reivers have been given cause for concern after the Scottish Rugby Union’s new chief executive refused to give guarantees on the future of professional teams at his opening press conference.

Gordon McKie aired his views on the current state of the game at Murrayfield last week, and immediately announced his intention to look at the costs of funding three pro teams.

The SRU had pledged to support the Borders, Edinburgh and Glasgow with three years of increased funding in February, but Mr McKie’s words will sound a jarring note with Scotland’s pro clubs.

Mr McKie said: “It’s early days, and I’m not familiar with the numbers vis-à-vis the pro teams – costs, revenues and so on. But that said, it’s part of the business plan at this point in time that we should have three pro teams.

“I will be examining that in the months to come alongside the business plan, budgets and financial facilities to see where funding should be best prioritised.

“Clearly there will be competing priorities, perhaps at grass roots, perhaps in terms of making the national team more elite, but to be frank it’s difficult to give a straight answer to that today.

“All I will say is I will be looking at all areas within the entire organisation.”

As the newest and smallest professional side in Scotland, the Borders could be forgiven for looking over their shoulder, but Reivers coach Steve Bates is taking the news in his stride.

He said: “I think it is probably a fair comment from a newly appointed chief executive, who is saying let’s not say no to anything.

“We have spent the last 18 months in turbulent times, so we are beginning to ride with the punches a little bit. We will have to wait and see.

“He is coming to meet us pretty soon, and we will get more of an indication of what he means then.”

But Steve is in no doubt that all three pro teams should continue for the good of the Scottish game.

He said: “My view is that the future of Scottish rugby depends on having as many people playing professional rugby as possible. That means a minimum of three clubs – I would even suggest four – in order that the Scottish coach has enough players to choose from.

“If we only have two pro teams, then we only have two scrum-halves to choose from in the professional game.

“We have to make sure that there is competition, and that the up and coming young players have a chance to play somewhere. That is a long-term strategy for the long-term health of Scottish rugby.

“I understand that the short-term financial pressures are considerable, but from a purely rugby point of view, the national coach needs to have at least 60 or 70 players playing in professional rugby.”

But Ron Sutherland, former chief executive of Scottish Borders Rugby Union, was more scathing of Mr McKie’s comments.

He said: “It is less than reassuring for anyone involved in building rugby on the tradition of the game in the Borders to know that yet again the future of the Borders pro team, and everything that sits below that, might be up for grabs.

“Continuing uncertainty is the last thing we need. I think it would be much more appropriate if Mr McKie had mad much more reassuring noises, rather than the guarded statements he made.

“People will be wondering what happens next. We have had so many years of turmoil that what we need is stability.”

And Mr Sutherland thinks Mr McKie should honour the SRU’s commitment made earlier this year that pro teams will be funded for the next three years.

He said: “I think they need to abide by that for three years to give everybody a chance. Mr McKie should reassure everyone in the game at all levels that previous decisions should be adhered to.

“It is only fair. How can we think about attracting sponsors and long term support when we have so much uncertainty? It is not just about money. There are people involved, and rugby is about people.”

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