Rugby's Future Challenges: Transparency and Instituitional Secrecy

Rugby’s biggest challenge is the complete lack of clarity from the top.  It is the same at both the RFU and PRL.  Absolutely anything and everything is shrouded in as much secrecy as possible; from next season it will get even worse when PRL introduce a “Marquee Player” whose wages are to be outside the Salary Cap, not only are the Salary Cap regulations never fully revealed but clubs will be barred from announcing who their “Marquee Player” is and how much his wages are.  And they don’t seem to realise this will be a cynic’s paradise.  There is some merit to not revealing the player’s wages, who would want their wages publicised?   

But to not even say whose wages are being taken out of the cap is ridiculous.

Another fine example of PRL’s shameful attitude to openness is the issue of Minimum Standards.  The Criteria were kept secret, the auditing of clubs is kept secret and the outcomes of the audits are kept secret.  This has to change; if they are to be retained the criteria should be published openly, after all if the criteria are fair then why hide them away?  And the results of current member’s audit should be published.  The Club 1 situation in London Welsh's appeal is disgraceful, not only did an unnamed club lose a vital 'A' criteria nobody knows when this even occurred!.  Releasing the punishments of current members will do wonders to decrease the cynicism towards the rules and PRL.  Rules must be seen to be enforced, or people will naturally assume they aren’t being followed.

The RFU’s smoky back rooms and power plays are no better.  Far too much power is held by barely accountable county buffers, how Welsh farmer Martyn Thomas ever managed to scheme his way into power is beyond me.  The RFU should abolish all county interference in the running of the national and international game.  Most of these buffers are well meaning amateurs but the opportunity for shysters to wield power is unacceptable. 

The RFU are actually the leaders in openness with Judge Jeff Blackett forcing through the open publishing of all disciplinary reports.  What is good for the goose is good for the gander; all RFU reports should be published openly for scrutiny.

Overall we need a fundamental paradigm shift in attitudes towards transparency and secrecy.  We need to show their is nothing to hide.  Sunlight is the best disinfectant.