Could the ‘Americanisation’ of the UK’s Collegiate Rugby System Benefit the Sport As a Whole?

 by Rufus G-B

Rob Gronkowski

Across the states, a wide variety of colleges all apart of their own divisions, come together to play against each other to decide a national champion each year, on a global stage that can fill stadiums and raise viewership more than their superior the National Football League(NFL). These players can build their skills off of paid scholarships given due to experienced scouts that come to watch the same type of format that only private school rugby has the most access too, already shortening the potential pool of players, unlike in the states where most high schools are recorded and tracked in their progress and their divisions, sending scouts to schools with the highest win percentages in each state, thus providing the next generation of collegiate athletes. Additionally, they allow walk-on players, players scouted after the first selection has taken place with no scholarship or insurance incase of injury, seen more as an extra body to help the deemed better athletes practise. However, some of the best players in NFL history were former walk ons (Antonio Brown, Rob Gronkowksi and JJ Watt etc.) presenting another layer of opportunity for players to find success.

In Rugby, often predominantly controlled by private schools, the possibility of having the opportunity to even start rugby inside school are low, and to be seen in a league match that has a potential scout for a club academy or prestigious rugby university are even slimmer. Only through these academies or perceived prestigious and historically famous rugby schools can then provide the ability to give players the correct opportunity and exposure to be able to sign the type of co​​ntracts that meet the players desires and ability to afford to make a living. This is best shown as most league clubs around England all suggest and promote their players having a career on the side or side work to bring in more money.

If the American system could be applied to Rugby, younger players and better talents from poorer backgrounds are able to have a chance of being noticed by these larger universities without prioritising the players from private schools. This allows for players to have a good financial footing at school whilst playing and training with the best players, in large stadiums allowing for them to improve their ability to perform and adapt their selective attention to ignore the roar of the crowds around them whilst they play. This then carries into the drafting system, allowing for the players to be instantly given the well deserved rookie contract to play for the teams that pick them, with the ability to be traded to another team if they want one, so both the teams and players needs are met, with little to no neglect between player and club relationships.

The only issue with this is that it neglects club rugby leagues, and without performing well inside of school rugby leagues, the lack of exposure in club rugby would quickly diminish for scouts are more focused on the players in schools known for success and good player production, rather than the inconsistency of clubs. Additionally, the teams in the current league may lack financial stability.All of the NFL’s teams have a sound financial structure, allowing the 32 teams to ensure they have a strong sense of security in that every year, no matter the state of the team the previous season, they are promised a fresh batch of players from the best players in college across the states. Meanwhile, the English league has suffered 3 teams being dropped from the premier league for not meeting financial requirements and with no relegation or promotion system, the league will only shrink, as well as not allow any teams that potentially are ready to perform in the top league, whereas teams in America are much more consistent. The youthful stage of learning and development in college or university is the key to raise the standard of rugby, giving the players the experience  and footing they need to refine their skills, making a higher standard and therefore more entertaining game for the audience, thus providing the phrase ‘Americanisation’ designed to improve a struggling sport such as rugby.

Useful Sources:

https://operations.nfl.com/journey-to-the-nfl/the-nfl-draft/the-rules-of-the-draft/

https://theflanker.co.uk/all/nfl-draft-in-rugby-for-and-against