Salary cap will hit grassroots rugby clubs hard

OPINION: It seems inevitable the reduced national provincial championship salary cap will result in hitting grassroots rugby clubs in the pocket in coming years, writes Logan Savory in this week's Sav's Say.

In an attempt to help the cash-strapped provincial unions the NZRU has wisely opted to reduce the salary cap.

But while you'll find this is a great move for the provinces it is likely to be the clubs in certain circumstances that will be asked to pick up the slack.

With 14 teams still in the premier provincial competition the battle to attract and retain players is intense.

Yet the reduced salary cap means the ability to throw money at these players is now limited.

This is where I believe the clubs will come into play and, from what sources have advised me, it is already happening in Southland.

Unions will sign promising academy players or fringe NPC players into the province on a contract closer to the minimal $15,000 retainer than at the higher end of the scale.

The unions will then put those players up on a pedestal for all the clubs to battle over in a bidding process.

This "bidding" results in clubs providing rent, maybe a car or maybe just a cash handout to the player coming into the province.

That player's move to Southland quickly becomes much more financially attractive than their Rugby Southland contract alone.

Some clubs may be happy with this possible concept.

It seems Rugby Southland is comfortable with it for the obvious benefits it can get out of it.

But as time wears on those who run their club by asking for annual subs and not offering handouts will struggle.

My opinion on this matter has already been well documented in past seasons but as another year rolls around the sledgehammer that is professional rugby has just taken an even harder swing at grassroots rugby as the bidding war for players intensifies.

I was brought up in a family that lived and breathed a club rugby scene that was based on camaraderie and passion for clubs.

Some, I'm sure, will be frustrated with me raising the topic again, saying handouts to certain players is just the way of club rugby these days.

But the fact is, in my eyes at least, club rugby has lost much of the sparkle it once had and will continue to if Rugby Southland's contracted players bounce themsleves around clubs in an attempt to find the best price.

I'VE had a debate with a mate of mine and for interest's sake I'm asking you to help solve this by emailing your answer to the following question:

In the month of March would you prefer to watch Super 14 rugby or international cricket?

» Logan Savory is a former Southland cricket representative who was named New Zealand junior sportswriter of the year at the 2007 TP McLean journalism awards. His main rounds are cricket and rugby.

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