Rugby, 'weird thing posh people do'
Discussion
https://blogs.spectator.co.uk/2016/03/zoe-williams...
Zoe Willams (Who?) of the Guardian believes that rugby is just a 'weird thing posh people do'. I've been a fan of rugby for some years now, albeit not a diehard, travel to every match kind of guy. When I've been to my team's (Exeter Chiefs) matches I've found the fans to be from a wide range of backgrounds; from lawyers and accountants to builders, squaddies, coppers, beauticians and beyond. The local comprehensive teaches rugby, as do the local independents. Our local rugby team is popular amongst the whole community and boasts probably a few hundred members.
Does anyone hold the view that rugby is solely a pastime for the posh, or am I alone in my thinking that this woman is an idiot who has probably never been to a game in her life. Amusingly she's public school educated herself, and writes for the Guardian so a fairly standard hypocritical, champagne socialist as far as I can see.
A photo of Zoe below. I would point out that horse riding is solely for the rich and privileged, but I'd be talking out of my arse, much like her.
Zoe Willams (Who?) of the Guardian believes that rugby is just a 'weird thing posh people do'. I've been a fan of rugby for some years now, albeit not a diehard, travel to every match kind of guy. When I've been to my team's (Exeter Chiefs) matches I've found the fans to be from a wide range of backgrounds; from lawyers and accountants to builders, squaddies, coppers, beauticians and beyond. The local comprehensive teaches rugby, as do the local independents. Our local rugby team is popular amongst the whole community and boasts probably a few hundred members.
Does anyone hold the view that rugby is solely a pastime for the posh, or am I alone in my thinking that this woman is an idiot who has probably never been to a game in her life. Amusingly she's public school educated herself, and writes for the Guardian so a fairly standard hypocritical, champagne socialist as far as I can see.
A photo of Zoe below. I would point out that horse riding is solely for the rich and privileged, but I'd be talking out of my arse, much like her.
Sheets Tabuer said:
Utter tosh, mind you they said the same about our polo club.
At least they don't charge to go and watch a Polo match!TEKNOPUG said:
14 month old article...... So I'll give her the benefit of doubt.
Gah, that's just how behind the times I am.....For some reason the article popped up in my recommended feed and being silly o' clock I didn't check the date, just got incensed instead! That'll teach me, I'll have to learn to go and have breakfast and wake up properly rather than being lazy on here.
Jonmx said:
Sheets Tabuer said:
Utter tosh, mind you they said the same about our polo club.
At least they don't charge to go and watch a Polo match!They do at my local club! Five pounds per car. But they do wait until one has set up their picnic before coming to collect it.
Edited by TEKNOPUG on Monday 24th April 08:25
I just started browsing England's players on http://www.rbs6nations.com/en/england/england_squa...
Of the first 10 listed, 9 went to boarding or grammar schools. I got bored after that.(Nathan Catt is the exception)
But if you accept that the makeup of the national team is a good indicator then yes I'd say the author has a point.
Of the first 10 listed, 9 went to boarding or grammar schools. I got bored after that.(Nathan Catt is the exception)
But if you accept that the makeup of the national team is a good indicator then yes I'd say the author has a point.
Edited by ReallyReallyGood on Monday 24th April 08:30
There is a regional element. In the south west, you have big clubs like Gloucester, Bath, Exeter etc and therefore a proliferation of smaller clubs nearby. These are by no means exclusively posh areas. Alos, see Wales for example. However, when I was growing up, Grammar schools didn't play football, only Rugby. Likewise I expect that the vast majority of fee paying schools play rugby and not football. The complete opposite to Comprehensives (with the aforementioned regional variations. How often do you see kids kicking a ball about in a playground, field or streets in towns & cities, compared to throwing a rugby ball about? It's less divisive now that it has become professional but there is still an obvious divide in the sport of choice between public school educated and state school.
My club is Brighton Blues. We have a mix of players and supporters.
I've never felt posh (except when we play against Sidcup of course), but we do play some posh clubs in the Surrey belt.
In days past, well before the game went professional, I used to go to Blackheath RC and as I was common, I assumed I'd be mistaken for the help. I was welcomed in the main. There were a few, a very few, who didn't like people who dropped the 'aitches' but I made friends with a chap who owned lots of hotels and clubs. Inclusive is the word I'd use.
I was a sprinter and very fast. If I'd been good enough (I was faster and quicker off the spot than either of their wings) I could have played for them but as I didn't get sick pay, I converted to badminton instead.
The sport is open and kids come to play from all backgrounds. They are picked in most (surely all?) clubs for ability to play and if you have soft hands and a bit of speed, it doesn't matter what background you're from.
I think the main problem, especially from a rugby supporter's pov is that football is the national sport. Now Brighton FC (which oddly is the name of Brighton Blues rugby club, but we'll take it to be BaHA) will be in the premiership we reckon we'll lose some recruits. That's in addition to the time we'll lose getting to the ground when both teams play at home.
I've never felt posh (except when we play against Sidcup of course), but we do play some posh clubs in the Surrey belt.
In days past, well before the game went professional, I used to go to Blackheath RC and as I was common, I assumed I'd be mistaken for the help. I was welcomed in the main. There were a few, a very few, who didn't like people who dropped the 'aitches' but I made friends with a chap who owned lots of hotels and clubs. Inclusive is the word I'd use.
I was a sprinter and very fast. If I'd been good enough (I was faster and quicker off the spot than either of their wings) I could have played for them but as I didn't get sick pay, I converted to badminton instead.
The sport is open and kids come to play from all backgrounds. They are picked in most (surely all?) clubs for ability to play and if you have soft hands and a bit of speed, it doesn't matter what background you're from.
I think the main problem, especially from a rugby supporter's pov is that football is the national sport. Now Brighton FC (which oddly is the name of Brighton Blues rugby club, but we'll take it to be BaHA) will be in the premiership we reckon we'll lose some recruits. That's in addition to the time we'll lose getting to the ground when both teams play at home.
Total rubbish. Certainly there are some clubs who would fit the stereotype, but most local clubs have very local catchment areas, so if you're somewhere like Cobham or Windsor then you're likely to get the kids of the very, very well off.
If I look at the other coaches at our club, we've got all sorts. Coppers (loads of them for some reason), electricians and mechanics through to city brokers and pretty much everything in between. The only thing they've really got in common is rugby.
If I look at the other coaches at our club, we've got all sorts. Coppers (loads of them for some reason), electricians and mechanics through to city brokers and pretty much everything in between. The only thing they've really got in common is rugby.
Kermit power said:
Total rubbish. Certainly there are some clubs who would fit the stereotype, but most local clubs have very local catchment areas, so if you're somewhere like Cobham or Windsor then you're likely to get the kids of the very, very well off.
If I look at the other coaches at our club, we've got all sorts. Coppers (loads of them for some reason), electricians and mechanics through to city brokers and pretty much everything in between. The only thing they've really got in common is rugby.
Rugby does seem to involve far more camaraderie at a club level from all sorts even in Cobham where I live. My local club oddly enough Cobham has a lot of diverse activities for all sorts. A far cry from when it was Old Surbs when rugby, cricket and getting bladdered were the only activities. If I look at the other coaches at our club, we've got all sorts. Coppers (loads of them for some reason), electricians and mechanics through to city brokers and pretty much everything in between. The only thing they've really got in common is rugby.
Edited by Smollet on Tuesday 25th April 11:53
There are some teams that are a bit posh though.
My then team, Worthing, were in National 3 and trying, and failing that year, for promotion. We were away in a critical match; lose and we were out of the running, win and at least we'd leapfrog the other team into third. Nailbiting stuff.
We were within a penalty of leading the match at half time. The stands cleared of the home supporters, but the away lot stayed put. When the whistle blew for the start of the second half, none of the home supporters had returned. It was really odd. Their players reacted to the loss of support and we put two quick tries past them, one converted. They were getting a bit frantic and we then got two penalties due to aggressive play, so we felt safe and went into slow mode.
The home supporters wandered back in dribs and drabs only to see their team lose without any bonus points.
It seems the boat race was seen as more important to the supporters, including those dressed in the club's garish jackets, than their own team.
The other side's players were so angry at the disappearing support that our guys stayed out of the changing room until they'd finished.
We didn't get promotion, much to our committee's relief, losing our #10 early in the next match for the remaining matches. The other team got into the playoffs and won. They were a well drilled side, at least when their supporters could be bothered to turn up.
Worthing need a result from their final match of the season to stay up. Should be a cracker.
My then team, Worthing, were in National 3 and trying, and failing that year, for promotion. We were away in a critical match; lose and we were out of the running, win and at least we'd leapfrog the other team into third. Nailbiting stuff.
We were within a penalty of leading the match at half time. The stands cleared of the home supporters, but the away lot stayed put. When the whistle blew for the start of the second half, none of the home supporters had returned. It was really odd. Their players reacted to the loss of support and we put two quick tries past them, one converted. They were getting a bit frantic and we then got two penalties due to aggressive play, so we felt safe and went into slow mode.
The home supporters wandered back in dribs and drabs only to see their team lose without any bonus points.
It seems the boat race was seen as more important to the supporters, including those dressed in the club's garish jackets, than their own team.
The other side's players were so angry at the disappearing support that our guys stayed out of the changing room until they'd finished.
We didn't get promotion, much to our committee's relief, losing our #10 early in the next match for the remaining matches. The other team got into the playoffs and won. They were a well drilled side, at least when their supporters could be bothered to turn up.
Worthing need a result from their final match of the season to stay up. Should be a cracker.
Yiliterate said:
As well as the points raised around regional distinctions, would it be reasonable to point out at this juncture that 'rugby' encompasses both rugby union and rugby league...?!
My first thought exactly. Come up to Castleford, Featherstone, Hull, Swinton, Batley, Dewsbury, Halifax, Wigan, Leigh, St Helens, Warrington etc. and tell me it's a posh game 
I play both codes and there is a definite divide though. Go to the Rugby Union club and play alongside solicitors, architects, surveyors and so on. Then I go and play League and it's plasterers, sparkies, postmen and the like
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