Helzbach – A Historic year in Welsh Sport.

2016….an historic year in Welsh sport, however, for a country that has been traditionally labelled as a ‘rugby nation’, it is the other shaped ball that has gripped from Holyhead to Hollywood and has put Wales firmly on the map.

Whilst the population remains on a high following the heroics of Chris Coleman’s men in France, the Welsh rugby team’s tour of New Zealand has been almost swept under the carpet, along with the current state of Welsh rugby. It was a tour that promised much, but despite the usual ‘played well for periods’ delivered very little.

The 1970’s rugby greats of Bennett, John, Gravell and co captured the heart of the nation, and Wales became one of the famous rugby nations. Unfortunately, the move from amateur to professionalism has not been an easy transition for the game in Wales. Despite a couple of Grand Slam wins in the last decade, rugby fans have had little to celebrate.

So what exactly is the problem with Welsh rugby at the moment? Disappointingly, it seems that Wales are trying to compete in a professional era, with an amateur sized budget. The attempt to compete financially has resulted in the whole ‘business’ aspect replacing the pride and passion on the pitch.

Over the last 20 years, 3 of the Welsh National Team coaches have been New Zealanders. Without doubt, New Zealand have been the top team in the World for a number of years, and as it was once quoted ‘you don’t beat New Zealand, you just happen to somehow score more points than them.’ Whilst it can be argued that the reasoning behind these appointments is to try and emulate the Kiwi success in Wales, in reality, this hasn’t been the case. Yes, Wales still have a very good rugby team and are capable of beating anyone, but from club level upwards, the New Zealand style structure that has been put into place just isn’t working.

In New Zealand, the All Blacks have to play their rugby in the country to be eligible to play for the International Team. This was implemented in Wales too, but with some exceptions. However, you only have to look at the immense difference in the standard of the Super Rugby domestic competition and our own Guinness Pro 12 to know that Welsh rugby is in crisis on all levels.

Looking closer to home, the Irish Provinces have consistently been at the top of the domestic game both in the Pro12 and in Europe and boast sell-out crowds on an almost weekly basis, whereas in Wales, the local derbies are the only matches that generate interest on a wider scale rather than just the die-hard rugby supporter. Success breeds success and with the Welsh regions struggling to compete even on a domestic level, with only the Scarlets qualifying for the higher level of the European competition next season, is it little wonder?

The question has to be asked though – what can Welsh rugby learn from the success of the football team? Rather than looking at other countries, the answers could possibly be right on our own doorstep.

Welsh football recognized many years ago that they were unable to compete with their richer neighbours and whilst at grass root levels football remains strong in Wales, teams like Swansea City, Cardiff City and Wrexham play their football in the English Leagues ensuring that the players are consistently playing at a high level of rugby, very much like those Welsh players who have chosen to play their club rugby in France.

Would the likes of Gareth Bale be the current most expensive player in world football had his talent been confined to playing in Wales? Indeed, would the International football team have enjoyed their current success in the Euros had each player been playing their club football in Wales?

Admittedly, it would be the dream to keep both the rising talent and elite players in Wales at both rugby and football, but surely allowing the players to follow their own dream and play with other big names can only be beneficial to the National team.

One thing is for sure, no one can question the pride that each and every one of the football players have for their team and their country with the singing of the anthem giving goosebumps! The success of the football team has bred a generation of wannabe Bales, Ledleys and Ramseys.

These are not only the future, but the ones who will be investing money into the game with ticket and merchandise purchases. Unless Welsh rugby address the current problem it is in serious danger of being replaced as the national sport.