An advert appeared on the Leicester Tigers’ Twitter account this week. On first glance it appeared perfectly innocent – it was asking for males in school year 10/11 if they were physical, or fast, or big or tall, to come forward to take part in a development session. Even better, no rugby experience was needed. Furthermore a pathway into Professional rugby was highlighted. On the face of it, all seems ok, Tigers are doing a good thing it appears. However social media decided to get involved and suddenly the Champions became the Internet’s new bad guys. So, what went on?
Storm in a Teacup?
Fundamentally, the “outrage” came from the initial questions asked by Tigers, specifically the fact they focussed mainly on the physical attributes of an individual, rather than any skillset. Hence the numerous tweets declaring that rugby was for all, no matter the bodysize, and that Leicester were clearly not interested in smaller, more skilful players. Therefore everything that was wrong about Premiership rugby was encapsulated in a single tweet etc. You get the picture.
However, what was missed in the rush to condemn Leicester as the villain of the piece, were three key elements used in the advert. Firstly, one small little word – “or”. The second was the phrase, “no rugby experience required”. Thirdly, who was asking for players to look at – the current Champions of England. As a result, it is somewhat obvious what the advert was about, what Leicester are looking for and why they are doing so.
What are Tigers doing?
By aiming at players with no previous rugby experience, Tigers are clearly panning for gold in new territories. They are broadening their talent pool to make sure no stone is unturned in their quest for potential stars. The club, like others in the Premiership, have their own pathway of bringing young players into the academy – utilising local community clubs and schools to do so. From this, Tigers and their scouts filter down all the players and start identifying those who they believe have what is needed to be successful at professional rugby. A series of trials and sessions are then used further to again whittle down the numbers, before finalising on a group whom they believe they can take forward through their Academy.
It should not be forgotten here that Leicester are pretty good at this. The names that have come through the system are widespread and severely numerous over 20 or more years. Tom Croft, Ben Youngs & Dan Cole are just two that come to mind, but there are so many more. The list that have come through the system are endless, whether that be solid club players, Internationals or British and Irish Lions. As a result, Leicester know what to see in a player and who is likely to flourish.
What Tigers are doing by looking for those with no rugby experience, should be applauded. It is giving opportunities to boys who may not otherwise do so, or may not have had a chance to play rugby or may not play a sport currently at all. That must be applauded. Rugby is criticised constantly for being a narrow-minded sport that is losing participants. It is therefore perverse to criticise a professional club no less for trying to encourage new entrants into the game. Tigers are quite literally trying to widen the talent pool by looking non-rugby players, yet that was overlooked throughout.
Furthermore, the advert is open to all, no background is specified. Again, Tigers should be applauded not vilified. Rugby is rightly criticised for operating in too narrow a talent pool, focussing too much of those in the public school system, and of a certain social class. Players like Ellis Genge and Kyle Sinkler who have not come through that system are rarities, with numerous fans and pundits pointing out that rugby should do more to bring that number up. Yet again, it further enforces how ridiculous the reaction has been. Tigers are holding an open session for literally anyone to attend, no matter the social background, race or religion, yet that is overlooked in the rush to condemn the club.
All Sizes Welcome
As stated before, the main umbrage many had with the advert was the focus on physical traits in an individual rather than a skillset. However as stated, the use of “or” was overlooked. This makes a huge difference. Tigers are not looking for an individual to be all big, fast, physical or tall, however they do need someone to have at least one of those characteristics. The unfortunate reality of Premiership rugby is that physicality is needed to succeed. As a result, it is no surprise that Tigers are looking for those with the physical attributes, given they are more likely to progress.
In addition, Leicester are panning for gold amongst players who have never played rugby before. As a result, skillsets such as kicking, passing and game management are likely to be zero. Why? Because they have never played before!! How can Leicester know if someone is good at passing if they have never picked up a ball before. However, if they are quick or of a certain size, it makes the chances of success a lot easier. Leicester can then teach someone the skills that come with playing top level rugby. Again, the hard reality is that if you’re not physically suited, you are going to struggle to make it at top level rugby. As ex Tigers Head Coach Pat Howard once remarked, “I can’t coach size.”
It should be noted that you do not have to be big to make it in professional rugby, however it quite clearly helps. If you are not physically big enough, it puts increased focus on other attributes, ensuring that an individual really needs to have extreme pace, top level agility or have such a skillset that negates the need for physicality. Even then, that is not a guarantee of success. In addition, we come back to the advert, Tigers are looking for those with non-rugby experience. Uncovering any of those other attributes is going to be much harder, it is not surprising that Tigers are focussing on the physical elements.
Tigers do not have endless resources for this project, they are going to go for the path of least resistance, which is to find big or quick young men who they think they can train up to make it as a professional rugby player. Why this was so controversial it is not clear. However, what should be obvious is that Leicester are an elite club. They are looking for the best of the best. Rugby is a game for all, especially so at amateur level. However at professional level, that just is not as trueful. Leicester are not denying people playing, they are just being open in advising what is needed to make it as a professional rugby player.
Counter-Productive Outrage
A theme amongst the twitterati criticising Leicester was that the club would be excluding those who were small. However the opposite is also true. How many teenagers are mocked and bullied because they are perceived to be too big? How many of those teenagers are driven away from sport because they lack the confidence because of their body? How many of those teenagers would benefit from being in a sporting environment, especially one like rugby, where being big is a good thing. Imagine the improvement in their self-belief and self-worth if a club like Leicester told them they were exactly what they were looking for. A perceived weakness would be seen as a strength – literally.
Now, not that individual may not make it as a professional but if they enjoyed rugby as a sport, it follows to reason that they would continue playing just in a lower level. Either way, the sport of rugby has gained a new participant. Given the sport has serious questions about dropping participation levels and amateur teams having to cancel fixtures due to lack of players – criticising Tigers for trying to find more players is perverse to the point of outright stupidity.
Understanding
What is clear from the reaction is that many people underestimate or just do not understand what is needed to become a professional rugby player. Rugby is a professional sport and has been for over 20 years. Whilst how the game is run still harks back to the amateur era, the playing side has been fully revolutionised. Rugby is now an elite profession, where only the top one of two percent make it. As a result, clubs are looking for the absolute best and unfortunately that means many will not make it, with size being a serious factor. It is not the fault of Tigers that physicality is the main attribute required.
The incident has shown social media at its worst, especially as Leicester have had to delete the tweet. It should be hoped that the trial still goes ahead and is a success. Hopefully in ten years, Leicester will have discovered another star – that would shut social media up.