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Open letter to Kathyrn Williamson |
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Cherub ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 13 Jan 2020 Location: Addingham Status: Offline Points: 607 |
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() Posted: 26 May 2023 at 08:11 |
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Dear Kathyrn Williamson
I follow and sometimes contribute to this rugby forum that discusses all things to do with the Championship rugby clubs. For some time now most of the discussions are about conjecture and sometimes downright fantasy. This is due entirely to the lack of information coming from the RFU. Indeed, the general opinion of how the RFU runs today’s game is less than complimentary. I am therefore writing to you, in your role of the Executive Director of Communications at the RFU, to make some suggestions on how you can improve the image of your employer. At the end of this month The Premiership will be announcing a decision about the future of London Irish. Can I therefore suggest that during the first week of June, preferably before the end of next week, you release a statement about the following: 1 A full list of the clubs taking part in The Championship next season. 2 A date when the full fixture list will be published. 3 A date when the full draw for the new cup competition will be announced. 4 A clear explanation about promotion and relegation. 5 What funding will be available from the RFU to each Championship side next season. 6 A date when you are likely to announce the changes planned for the 2024/25 season. Some of the answers to the above have been announced but the situation regarding the future of this wonderful game has become muddy and demands a snappy, concise, and informative response from its administrator. I invite other members of this forum to add any additional comments they may have, and I also invite you to respond direct if you so wish. After all, good communications are a good thing, don’t you think? |
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Always trying to stay bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
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Kimbo ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 31 May 2007 Location: 'incleh Status: Offline Points: 6364 |
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Good luck.
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Our Club |
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billesleyexile ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 20 Jun 2013 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 1855 |
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I don't think 1 will be possible - won't we have the same performance as we've had with Worcester and Wasps, where it's clear they're not at level 1, but not clear immediately that they won't be at level 2? I mean officially... 4 I think I would add the bit in bold, simply because there seems to be a growing head of steam that somehow ringfencing the top two leagues is any better than ringfencing just the top one... To be honest, given we're about to go into 23/24, I'm not sure you can decouple 4 and 6? Otherwise National 1 won't know what they're competing for.
Edited by billesleyexile - 26 May 2023 at 08:30 |
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keep the faith
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Cherub ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 13 Jan 2020 Location: Addingham Status: Offline Points: 607 |
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Thank you, Kimbo, for your good wishes, and to billesleyexile for your suggestions.
I would like to add two additional suggestions: 7 What is actively happening about gaining sponsorship for The Championship? 8 What is actively happening about getting a TV deal for The Championship? |
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Always trying to stay bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
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tigerburnie ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 10 Jun 2012 Location: Scotland Status: Online Points: 3710 |
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More chance of plaiting fog, but very reasonable and sensible, good luck.
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Kimbo ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 31 May 2007 Location: 'incleh Status: Offline Points: 6364 |
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It was more tongue-in-cheek at the time tbf, but it would be nice to see some positive reaction, so... good luck
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WEvans ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 08 Dec 2016 Location: London Status: Offline Points: 1433 |
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Kathryn Williamson was my grandmother. Long gone now but I suspect you would still have more success writing to her.
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Neasham ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 09 May 2014 Location: County Durham Status: Offline Points: 463 |
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Why do you think the Director of Communications is responsible for policy? Don’t shoot the messenger.
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Cherub ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 13 Jan 2020 Location: Addingham Status: Offline Points: 607 |
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Communication from the RFU is poor. Kathryn is the Executive Director of Communications. I am not shooting the messenger. I am asking the messenger to do her job.
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Always trying to stay bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
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Big Eddie ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 19 Jun 2007 Status: Offline Points: 5042 |
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Cherub,
I applaud your initiative and I wish you well in your endeavour. More years ago than I care to remember I wrote an open letter on this forum to the President of the RFU and sent the same letter by first class post. I received a 4 page response from the then President. I think it very appropriate for you to take the action you have and I do suggest you send a hard copy letter or an email as well. Kind Regards Big Eddie
Edited by Big Eddie - 26 May 2023 at 16:49 |
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''The future isn't what it used to be''
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Neasham ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 09 May 2014 Location: County Durham Status: Offline Points: 463 |
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And if Mr Sweeney tells her when and what she should put out she should ignore him? |
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Cherub ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 13 Jan 2020 Location: Addingham Status: Offline Points: 607 |
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I sent her an email about 30 minutes ago. Watch this space. |
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Always trying to stay bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
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Halliford ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 17 Feb 2010 Location: United Kingdom Status: Offline Points: 4193 |
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Messengers need messages to send. The understanding from the NLR AGM this week was that there are still discussions and negotiations happening about the message!
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Cherub ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 13 Jan 2020 Location: Addingham Status: Offline Points: 607 |
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I am not asking for instant answers for some of my suggestions, merely dates when to expect an answer. |
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Always trying to stay bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
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Cherub ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 13 Jan 2020 Location: Addingham Status: Offline Points: 607 |
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I have just received the following email response from Kathryn Williamson:
Dear Peter, The RFU is working collaboratively with representatives from the Championship and Premiership Rugby to look at the long-term future and structure of the professional game under the Professional Game Agreement. The RFU has committed to retaining current funding levels to the Championship until the end of the 2023/24 season, providing certainty to the clubs, while longer term discussions around the Professional Game Agreement take place. The Championship will consist of 12 teams for the 2023-24 season with the fixtures due to be announced in late June in line with previous years. We are currently working with the clubs, who have the outline season structure, to map fixtures to their requests and availability. For many years we have provided support in seeking sponsorship and broadcast partners, however, appetite has been limited. TNT Sports (BT Sport) will provide coverage of the Premiership Cup next season, which will include Championship clubs. The RFU is looking at continuing to provide a streaming service for the league, as it has done in recent seasons. Best wishes, Kathryn |
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Always trying to stay bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
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Camquin ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Location: Cambridge Status: Online Points: 11249 |
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At the Cambridge SGM last Tuesday we were told by our Chairman, that at the Championship Clubs meeting that day there was no confirmation of the funding for the 23/24 season. So presumably it has been confirmed in the last week.
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Sweeney Delenda Est
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*Stalwart ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() Joined: 15 Oct 2022 Location: Penzance Status: Offline Points: 328 |
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It's good that the Premiership Cup will be televised.
Regarding the sponsorship and broadcast partners - if we had play-offs and promotion it would be easier to attract such partners. For example, had the game between Jersey and Ealing been to decide who would be promoted to the Premiership it would have been very attractive to sponsors and broadcasters.
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*Stalwart
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billesleyexile ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 20 Jun 2013 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 1855 |
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Well that's reassuring - tiny number of pro clubs continue to wag the tail of the rugby dog - and the other 2000 clubs will be told what's been decided by their betters in due course. Business as usual. If we continue to place the decisions about the top levels of rugby in the hands of the top levels of rugby then we'll come up with the same answers as always, and RU will remain in thrall to the seedy, golf-club bar, pork-barrel back-scratching that has blighted it since the days of closed fixture lists. |
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keep the faith
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No 7 ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 10 Oct 2011 Location: LONDON Status: Offline Points: 1872 |
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Cambridge like most / all clubs have had their fair share of financial problems but I do recall a young Cambridge prop who was evicted from his rented home supplied by Cambridge RFC due to unpaid rent. He had not received monies due from the club for his front row services. He turned up at Ealing and was given accomodation and a job which included coaching U18'S Rugby. This was as far back as 2010 I recall. I hope they have all their finances in place and they are able to pay their players what they deserve at Championship level.
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Ambition should be made of sterner stuff.
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Camquin ![]() World Cup Winner ![]() ![]() Joined: 01 Jun 2007 Location: Cambridge Status: Online Points: 11249 |
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Yes, that was the point Cambridge almost ceased to exist. The list of donors who saved it is on the wall upstairs. You will see it if you come for lunch. However, I believe the current committee will not make the same mistakes. They might make different ones. |
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Sweeney Delenda Est
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