Mark Thomas 马健明’s Post

Coincidence or the benefits of the non-league pathway? Last night was another memorable evening for Hertford Town U18s as they defeated Category 3 Academy opposition once again in the FA Youth Cup, following up their 1st Round win over Cambridge United Football Club with victory over Bristol Rovers Football Club (Official) in the 2nd Round. Every member of their starting line-up has played senior football at either Step 4 or 5 of non-league football this season, accumulating thousands of minutes and regularly impacting games, often against ex-pros almost twice their age. A number of these players were also previously in the academy system (many at Category 3s) before being released. Consequently, they have embarked on an alternative career trajectory of playing as many games as possible in senior football at a young age, instead of a further 2-3 years in a professional academy with no senior experience. Are these results then simply the magic of the cup or, by reaching the 3rd Round against Arsenal F.C, are Hertford Town demonstrating that the non-league pathway - senior football between the ages of 16-18 - has given them the edge over their full-time academy opposition? #NLG

The introduction of non-contact rugby in schools is a progressive move by the RFU to address declining youth participation due to injury concerns. This initiative ensures that schools with strong rugby traditions can safely maintain the sport while encouraging new schools to join. The launch of T1 rugby, a non-contact format, is particularly exciting as it retains the essence of the game while reducing injury risks, opening the door for broader participation. This approach, backed by equipment and resources from the RFU, is a positive step towards growing the sport inclusively and safely. https://lnkd.in/eSEmYzQP #Rugby #T1Rugby #RFU #SportsInjury

My alma mater awarding an honorary doctorate to Rassie Erasmus. Be it rugby, business or life in general - there is a lot to learn from his approach. Some things that stood out to me: 1) Humble yourself and seek to understand those around you. True leadership does not shout from the front nor does it beat a drum at the back. It reverberates from the core. 2) Look at norms or standards and ask: “sure, everyone does it this way, but is it really the most effective method?” Don’t be afraid to pioneer. 3) Vulnerability is a superpower. Here’s a seasoned professional in a ‘macho’ world of professional sports openly crying during interviews or admitting to past mistakes. Not building a wall around one’s “humanity” leaves one exposed, of course, but the flipside is that openness begets openness! 4) Contextualise your emotions. When asked whether the Springbok squad is “under pressure” to preform at the World Cup, Rassie infamously said that playing sports is a PRIVILEGE, and that real pressure is not having an income to support your family, or being threatened by crime. Before we let stress or panic take hold on account of looming deadlines or broken down negotiations, remember that it’s a privilege to be working toward our goals in the first place, earning an income, being challenged and stimulated. Amazing news North-West University / Noordwes-Universiteit and lekka Rassie. Danko!

In my latest post I explore the shortcomings of relying solely on bursaries to develop young rugby talent. https://lnkd.in/dBg43xiS

#4 of 4 on the future of Welsh Rugby - The most important. Bring Passion Back to Grassroots Rugby Welsh rugby’s soul lies in its grassroots. Every village, school, and community club is a seedbed for future talent and fan engagement. Yet, for years, grassroots rugby has been neglected in favour of top-down initiatives that fail to resonate. I would redirect significant funding and attention to grassroots rugby, ensuring clubs have the resources to thrive. This means subsidizing coaching, improving facilities, and fostering inclusivity—not as a politically correct tick-box exercise but as a genuine commitment to growing the game. The WRU must inspire the next generation by investing in youth programs that are visible, accessible, and aspirational. Rugby in Wales should be a national movement, not a corporate monolith. In addition, it is a national disgrace that, even now, there are no Welsh coaches being considered to replace Gatland. Surely this is the most glaring failure of Welsh Rugby. They have spent nothing on bringing through Welsh coaches, mostly in favour of NZ solutions. Look at Scotland and what Gregor Townsend has achieved and where they sit in comparison to Wales, oh and they only have 2 pro teams. But hang on Welsh parochialism would insist on more not fewer teams. Therein lies the difference.

Our new blog article is now published and available. In this latest article, we pay homage to the two most exciting provincial schoolboy rugby tournaments - the U18 Craven Week and the U18 Academy Week, played in South Africa. Scouts from all over the world attend these tournaments in search of young talent. With the two tournaments currently now on display, I felt that this was the perfect time to write this and to salute them. "South Africa’s passion for rugby is deeply ingrained in its culture, and nowhere is this more evident than in its schoolboy provincial rugby tournaments. Two of the most prestigious events in this arena are the U18 Craven Week and the U18 Academy Week. These tournaments are not just about competition; they are breeding grounds for future rugby stars, providing a pathway for young players to advance their careers. This article delves into the significance of these tournaments, the fierce rivalries among the provinces, and the opportunities they present for aspiring rugby players." You can access the article by clicking the link below: https://lnkd.in/gGa5S8qy #rugby #schoolboy #action #sports #sportsmarketing #content #blog #writing

leadership

Great article from The Times today reflecting on how Wasps tapping into hotbed of Kent could ‘transform’ English game. Transforming English Rugby: Wasps' Strategic Move to Kent Exciting developments are on the horizon for English rugby as Wasps eye a revival in the Championship with a potential move to Kent. The plan to play at The Valley in 2025-26, in a ground-share arrangement with Charlton Athletic, is more than just a comeback—it's a strategic move that could revolutionize the sport in the southeast of England. Kent, often overlooked in professional rugby, is home to 63 community clubs and a wealth of untapped talent. By establishing a permanent base here, Wasps aim to create a new powerhouse in the rugby world, offering young players a clear pathway to the professional level. This move aligns with broader efforts by the RFU and Premiership Rugby to decentralize talent development and ensure that promising players don't have to travel hours to access top-tier training. But while Wasps are making plans, Canterbury Rugby Club has already taken action. The club has launched an academy linked to Archbishop’s School in Canterbury, providing four rugby sessions a week for 16 to 18-year-olds, many of whom are refugees from Ukraine and Syria. This initiative, funded by local sponsors, is designed to fast-track talent from Kent into professional rugby. Canterbury is now positioning itself as a hub for Saracens' satellite academy, ensuring that local players have a direct route to top-tier rugby without leaving the county. The implications for the local economy, grassroots sports, and the future of English rugby are profound. As Wasps work towards securing a permanent home in Kent, they stand to not only strengthen the game but also to create lasting community impact. Stay tuned as Wasps, a club with a storied history, embarks on this transformative journey. The Garden of England is ready to bloom into a rugby powerhouse. The full article at - https://lnkd.in/ej3PnZJT (subscription needed) #Rugby #Wasps #Kent #SportsDevelopment #CommunityImpact #TalentPipeline

How England Rugby get things so wrong🤦. Somehow I got an 18 page TENDER document to enter a Team for the 'Revamped Tier 2'. Thanks for sending it to me, maybe they mistook me for someone wanting to throw £10 million into a black hole 18 pages of hoops for the current championship clubs to jump through. - Size of your TV Gantry - How big your press room needs to be - Size of your training ground - Big screen so Ref can see TMO All expenses for the Clubs to put in place. Is there any Information about what the new Tier 2 Competition is going to look like? 🙅🏻 Nothing. oops sorry it's going to be 14 clubs... presumably so Wasps and Worcester can get parachuted back in. Any information on any funding from the RFU? 🙅🏻 Nothing What exactly are the RFU doing for the Championship apart from creating a boat load more admin and expense in a 2 week window. What actually is the Vision for the revamped Championship, why not paint that vision and get some excitement. Why are Universities and Colleges being invited to tender?

As another England Rugby community club season closes the spectacle of club successes and disappointments across the leagues as clubs celebrate or commiserate performances. However, while England Rugby struggle to solve the Premiership Rugby vs #ChampionshipRugbyClub financial debate, failing to establish a fair playing field at the top of the sport a similar battle is being played out throughout the leagues! Sport is based on fair competition, playing by rules/laws, being compliant with policies and conditions of competition… apart from in the England Rugby “amateur” leagues that is! While some clubs celebrate their youth policies, publicly stating which senior players come through their youth section (see Wetherby RUFC), a champion of true community sport, a few clubs, choosing to pay ‘professional players’ to bolster playing squads, denying they do so (once they’ve been successful) makes a mockery of ‘fair sport’. Being successful, gaining reflective glory, with an unfairly stacked squad is cheating! No one would praise the ‘playing of over-aged players’ in youth rugby (then pretending such players weren’t older just because the team was successful)! So why are coaches happy to do so in adult rugby? Those who bask in such ‘fake glory’ of winning, after fielding stacked teams should, at worst, hang their heads in shame or, at best, admit they are cheating and honestly state they pay players. Maybe England Rugby & Yorkshire Rugby should follow Wetherby RUFC example requiring clubs to indicate, in match programs, which senior players come from clubs junior sections (**) and which players are paid professionals (##)🤔 #HonestOpenGame