The upcoming Phuket Rugby 11s has been blessed with a true supporter and consistent sponsor since its inception many years ago.
Steven Wood the owner of the Aussie Bar on Bangla Road, Patong, is a true and honest sponsor. Not only does Steve sponsor the Phuket tournament, but he also supports youth development. The most notable when Pat Cotter took 10 local Thai boys on the Phuket Lions tour to Manchester UK in 2011.
Steve and the Aussie Bar are once again one of the main sponsors for this year’s Phuket International rugby 11s, to be held at the Alan Cooke Ground in Thalang over the weekend of June 6-8. For more information go to the Phuket International Rugby 11s Facebook page.
COMMUNITY RUGBY
The future of rugby throughout the UK and the world is community rugby and how we grow it, not only in financial terms but also playing numbers. There must be a parallel development of players and good coaching. The South African school’s competition is booming both in participation and quality performance. Many schools’ coaches earn bigger salaries than senior club coaches!
Two and a half years ago, Worcester Rugby Club went into administration. Now, subject to paying back its creditors, it will be allowed back into an expanded 14 team championship for the 2025/6 season. Both Wasps and London Irish who found themselves into a similar position to Worcester have yet to find corporate sponsorship.
The turmoil in world markets may make it difficult for clubs at all levels to survive. The message is, look after your local sponsor.
DECISIVE VICTORIES
Meanwhile, the last 16 of rugby’s Champions Cup produced some emphatic results last weekend. Three of England’s top clubs were hammered! Leicester lost to Glasgow 43-19, Harlequins lost to Leinster 62-0 and Saracens fell 72- 42 to Toulon.
With Saracens’ focus on the Gallagher premiership, the organising body allowed them to send a much-weakened team but this cannot be allowed to continue. When are we going to put spectators and supporters first?
Toulouse and Bordeaux, last season’s finalists, both achieved decisive victories. Along with Leinster, two of these three teams are likely to reach the final. The quarter final draw puts together some intriguing fixtures:
Leinster vs Glasgow Warriors
Bordeaux vs Munster.
Northampton Saints vs Castres
Toulon vs Toulouse.
The Global Rugby Coach, Mike Penistone, is a globally renowned professional rugby coach based in Phuket who is also an ambassador for the Asia Center Foundation, a charity for disadvantaged children. For more information visit: www.rugbycoachingconsultancy.com.