RUGBY ALLEGATIONS

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 20 February 1932, Page 10

RUGBY ALLEGATIONS

VEILED PROFESSIONALISM INDUCEMENTS TO PLAYERS •ENGLISH AND WELSH CLUBS. There is veiled professionalism in English and Welsh Rugby (writes E. H. G. Barwell in “Rugger,” the new English sporting paper). Yet the governing bodies have emulated Nelson in turning the telescope to their blind eye whenever rumours have reached them. I have been waiting for a long time for someone to have the pluck to expose “shamateurism,” and it is in the belief that publicity will do good that I have attempted the task, using only those cases which have come within my own experience. A new type of pseudo-amateurism is developing, m which men sell their talents in the best markets. It is the age-old- question of supply and demand cropping up again, men offering their services to the highest bidders. Of course, there will be many denials of this, but what else can one surmise when noticing the large number of unemployed Welsh players who have joined English clubs? My conception of an amateur is one who plays solely for the love of a game, and without being influenced by the prospect of gain. QUALIFICATIONS NEEDED. Yet in the West of England to-day Welsh players are being offered the gain of employment in return for their Rugby -services. One Monmouthshire j labour exchange received, an offer for a carpenter, with the following specification: “Must be good Rugby wing three-quarter. ’ ’ Things are getting so obvious in Wales that, wilting in a newspaper, I coined the following phrase: “Welsh players no longer go north—they go south instead.” It is true. Talywain Rugby Club went on tour in Devon, and upon their return officials told- me that eight of their old players opposed them in one game. “At this rate, next time we go to Devon we shall he meeting a- fifteen of Talywain players,” said a disgusted supporter. Clubs are beginning to realise that the limit has been reached, and are demanding action. Up to the jjresenti the Welsh Rugby Union has been reluctant to take steps which might create an imbroglio with the Rugby Union and its affiliated clubs. Tn the past it- has shown a tendency to overlook the southward migration, but opinions are changing, and action is regarded as imperative. % RUGBY UNION FAILURES.

Another query is: Are there men playing the amateur game who have taken part in Rugby League matches ? Unhesitatingly, I declare there are, and it is pleasing to know- that the Rugffy Union realises it, and is trying to devise means to prevent men resuming their amateur status after being tried out and rejected by one or other of the professional clubs. These men report sick or pressing business, and then play in a trial under assumed names. If they do not make good they receive remuneration and return to their old clubs. Such instances are by no means rare. I know of two already, with the season only a- month old. In both cases the players went up for trials, and it was announced in the newspapers that two Welshmen would he engaged as soon as employment was found for them. They returned to Wales as amateurs until the work was found.

There is not nearly so much paying of star players as there _ was—The money being accounted for in balancesheet under “Lemons” —hut there is still some of it. Clubs generally are too x> 0( >r for this sort of thing, hut when I was a team secretary during the boom period I came across many instances of payment. ACTION NECESSARY.

What ts my object raking up such an unsavoury topic? Am I out to blacken Welsh Rugby? On the contrary. A doctor diagnoses the complaint of his patient and then treats him accordingly. I have set out to prove that Welsh Rugby is suffering from pernicious anaemia, being bled by the! north and south of England. If through calling attention to the ills of which Welsh football is heir. I can stir the authorities to action, the aim of “Rugger”—and my aim, too —that of bettering and cleansing the glorious winter game, will have been achieved.