Weather decisions
Rugby is supposed to be an all weather game but from time to time, Mother Nature does throw a spanner in the works. This weekend has brought up an issue within the college game that needs to be looked at by clubs, coaches and administrators alike.
Unlike club teams that have their own pitches, most college teams are at the mercy of school administrators who all too often make sweeping decisions that have massive implications on opponents both in terms of time travelled and financial outlay.
This weekend, East Carolina was holing its ‘Beast of the East’ tournament in Greenville, NC, which was due to feature, Kutztown, Indiana and Miami (Ohio). It appears that at the last minute, the school authorities pulled the pitches. As you can imagine the huge distances and expense’s involved have left everyone in somewhat of a bind. Also this weekend, my own team made the 4-hour trip down to Columbia to play South Carolina only to have the game cancelled by the school at 9.30am on Saturday morning.
Now the inconveinience of my players does not compare to the Indiana guys who travelled on a bus for 15 hours, but I think both these examples (and I’m sure there were many more this weekend) must serve as a lesson to us all.
East Carolina was in a difficult position because when their visiting teams set off, there was no problem with the weather. The same applies to South Carolina who I contacted on Friday to see if there was going to be a problem with the pitches. I was told that their field drained well and they thought there would be no issue.
My point is this. As rugby club coaches and officials, we have a responsibility for our fellow players and coaches and have to make the bold decisions that school administrators are not able, or are unwilling to make. The ECU or USC school officials who made these 11th hour calls didn’t appear to give a hoot that players from other schools had travelled many miles and spent a lot of money to play on their precious grass – we should.
This storm was predicted all last week; you didn’t have to be Jim Cantore to know it was going to be extremely wet. This is why I contacted South Carolina on Friday – a bold decision should have been made and the game called off.
In defense of both ECU and USC, both their facilities and pitches are relatively new and so both clubs would have been unsure as what their pitches could withstand, or more to the point, what the school authorities think they can withstand.
We can all learn from this – get to know your schools policy with regards to your pitch and don’t be frightened to make bold decisions that are in the best interests of fellow rugby players making a long journey.
Andy Richards
Head Coach
University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill Men’s Rugby
Tournament Co-Founder
Atlantic Coast Invitational
