Rugby reckons it will benefit from City's success,I DISAGREE

I totally disagree, I honestly believe Cardiff City and Swansea being in the Premier league, that in the long run, rugby will suffer.
OPINIONS?



Cardiff Blues insist region will benefit from Bluebirds' Premier League promotion
18 Apr 2013
Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland says the whole city will benefit from Cardiff City's Premier League adventure.


By Simon Thomas
“You need competition to make yourself better and improve.

Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland believes the Arms Park outfit will benefit rather than suffer as a result of Cardiff City’s promotion to the Premier League.

Far from seeing the newly-elevated Bluebirds as a threat, Holland insists the Blues can actually ride on the back of their success.

However, he does acknowledge work needs to be done at junior level to encourage youngsters to take up rugby in the face of renewed interest in football.

Concern has been expressed over the potential impact upon Welsh rugby of Cardiff City joining Swansea City in the Premiership, particularly in terms of attendances.

But Holland says the Blues are already well ahead of schedule in terms of hitting their season ticket revenue target for next season.

Blues chief Richard Holland
And he believes the Bluebirds’ promotion can have positive spin-offs for the Arms Park-based region.

“First of all, huge congratulations to Cardiff City,” he said.

“They are friends of ours and we are absolutely delighted for them.

“It’s fantastic for Cardiff as a city. It’s a city that loves sport, whether that is football or rugby. There are lots of positive things happening for the football team and hopefully we can ride on the back of their success.

“When any city has sporting excellence, it can only help participation in all sports.

“There will be greater investment in the city, in terms of restaurants, hotels and businesses. It makes Cardiff a better place to attract sponsors and the corporate side.

“It’s a brilliant city to invest in, with so much going on.

“And if people are coming down here to watch Cardiff City play on a Saturday and we are playing on a Friday, we can obviously potentially benefit from that.

“I think it’s a win-win.”

In terms of the Bluebirds’ promotion being a threat to rugby in the capital, Holland is convinced both sports can prosper.

“Ultimately, in any business, there is always competition,” he said.

“You need competition to make yourself better and improve.

“There is a place for football and rugby in the city.

“Cardiff is big enough for both.

“Swansea City and the Ospreys share a stadium and both are successful.”

Holland is upbeat about the future of the Blues, who returned to the Arms Park this season after three years away at the Bluebirds’ Cardiff City Stadium.

“There has been a big improvement this year in terms of the revenue generated from our home matches,” he said.

“On top of that, we have already reached 60 per cent of our season ticket revenue target for next season and we are still only in April.

“Our shirt sponsors EADS have committed to a new three-year deal from next season.

“Commercially we are in a strong position, we are about to post a black number.

“But to be competitive is going to take another chunk of investment and where that comes from I am not sure.

“We have got challenges whether Cardiff City are in the Championship or the Premiership.”

However, what Holland feels is essential is that rugby addresses the threat from football in terms of youth development.

“You are going to have Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham coming to Cardiff and I am sure that will draw kids to be more interested in football,” he said.

“Now more than ever the WRU, working in participation with everyone in Welsh rugby, need to ensure that participation numbers grow rather than diminish, by investing in schools, pathway and colleges.”

Director of rugby Phil Davies believes there was encouragement to be drawn from last weekend’s attendances when both the Blues and the Bluebirds were at home on the same afternoon, against Zebre and Nottingham Forest respectively.

“It is fantastic that Cardiff’s two professional teams can attract 40,000 supporters on a Saturday,” he said.

“Hopefully that is the sign of things to come with us getting 10,000 and Cardiff City getting capacity stadiums.

“The buzz that Premier League football will bring to the city will be remarkable and I have seen the affect it has had on Swansea.

“Hopefully it will have a really positive affect and bring sport to the forefront of people around this area.

“There will always be people who will watch rugby and others who will watch football.

“I don’t think Cardiff City being promoted will have a negative affect on the Blues.

“There will be people who flit in between, as there are in Swansea.

“It is positive for Wales which is a small country and to have two teams in the top tier of the Premier League is remarkable.”

FORMER Blues and Wales hooker Rhys Thomas is set for a return to regional rugby with the Dragons.

The 30-year-old is expected to end his stint with London Wasps at the end of the season and would be an ideal replacement for the retired Steve Jones at the Dragons.

I totally disagree, I honestly believe Cardiff City and Swansea being in the Premier league, that in the long run, rugby will suffer.
OPINIONS?



Cardiff Blues insist region will benefit from Bluebirds' Premier League promotion
18 Apr 2013
Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland says the whole city will benefit from Cardiff City's Premier League adventure.


By Simon Thomas
“You need competition to make yourself better and improve.

Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland believes the Arms Park outfit will benefit rather than suffer as a result of Cardiff City’s promotion to the Premier League.

Far from seeing the newly-elevated Bluebirds as a threat, Holland insists the Blues can actually ride on the back of their success.

However, he does acknowledge work needs to be done at junior level to encourage youngsters to take up rugby in the face of renewed interest in football.

Concern has been expressed over the potential impact upon Welsh rugby of Cardiff City joining Swansea City in the Premiership, particularly in terms of attendances.

But Holland says the Blues are already well ahead of schedule in terms of hitting their season ticket revenue target for next season.

Blues chief Richard Holland
And he believes the Bluebirds’ promotion can have positive spin-offs for the Arms Park-based region.

“First of all, huge congratulations to Cardiff City,” he said.

“They are friends of ours and we are absolutely delighted for them.

“It’s fantastic for Cardiff as a city. It’s a city that loves sport, whether that is football or rugby. There are lots of positive things happening for the football team and hopefully we can ride on the back of their success.

“When any city has sporting excellence, it can only help participation in all sports.

“There will be greater investment in the city, in terms of restaurants, hotels and businesses. It makes Cardiff a better place to attract sponsors and the corporate side.

“It’s a brilliant city to invest in, with so much going on.

“And if people are coming down here to watch Cardiff City play on a Saturday and we are playing on a Friday, we can obviously potentially benefit from that.

“I think it’s a win-win.”

In terms of the Bluebirds’ promotion being a threat to rugby in the capital, Holland is convinced both sports can prosper.

“Ultimately, in any business, there is always competition,” he said.

“You need competition to make yourself better and improve.

“There is a place for football and rugby in the city.

“Cardiff is big enough for both.

“Swansea City and the Ospreys share a stadium and both are successful.”

Holland is upbeat about the future of the Blues, who returned to the Arms Park this season after three years away at the Bluebirds’ Cardiff City Stadium.

“There has been a big improvement this year in terms of the revenue generated from our home matches,” he said.

“On top of that, we have already reached 60 per cent of our season ticket revenue target for next season and we are still only in April.

“Our shirt sponsors EADS have committed to a new three-year deal from next season.

“Commercially we are in a strong position, we are about to post a black number.

“But to be competitive is going to take another chunk of investment and where that comes from I am not sure.

“We have got challenges whether Cardiff City are in the Championship or the Premiership.”

However, what Holland feels is essential is that rugby addresses the threat from football in terms of youth development.

“You are going to have Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham coming to Cardiff and I am sure that will draw kids to be more interested in football,” he said.

“Now more than ever the WRU, working in participation with everyone in Welsh rugby, need to ensure that participation numbers grow rather than diminish, by investing in schools, pathway and colleges.”

Director of rugby Phil Davies believes there was encouragement to be drawn from last weekend’s attendances when both the Blues and the Bluebirds were at home on the same afternoon, against Zebre and Nottingham Forest respectively.

“It is fantastic that Cardiff’s two professional teams can attract 40,000 supporters on a Saturday,” he said.

“Hopefully that is the sign of things to come with us getting 10,000 and Cardiff City getting capacity stadiums.

“The buzz that Premier League football will bring to the city will be remarkable and I have seen the affect it has had on Swansea.

“Hopefully it will have a really positive affect and bring sport to the forefront of people around this area.

“There will always be people who will watch rugby and others who will watch football.

“I don’t think Cardiff City being promoted will have a negative affect on the Blues.

“There will be people who flit in between, as there are in Swansea.

“It is positive for Wales which is a small country and to have two teams in the top tier of the Premier League is remarkable.”

FORMER Blues and Wales hooker Rhys Thomas is set for a return to regional rugby with the Dragons.

The 30-year-old is expected to end his stint with London Wasps at the end of the season and would be an ideal replacement for the retired Steve Jones at the Dragons.

why does it concern you Annis?

I cant imagine you would ever go to a rugby game

If rugby benefits from Cardiff being promoted thats a good thing, if it doesnt well its got nothing to do with our club and our club will succeed or fail on its own merits.

They have to say that. But they know the screen time and the money that comes from Prem football. That which will go to youth development. What little grip they have will slip.

I hope the six nations is forced to play on a Sunday now if cardiff have a sat home game.

I heard Roger Lewis say something similar in an interview a few weeks ago when in truth as the interviewer said 'Really the WFU are scared of Cardiff City getting to the Premiership!!!!' I think the interviewer was bang on!!!

Who cares lol

I totally disagree, I honestly believe Cardiff City and Swansea being in the Premier league, that in the long run, rugby will suffer.
OPINIONS?



Cardiff Blues insist region will benefit from Bluebirds' Premier League promotion
18 Apr 2013
Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland says the whole city will benefit from Cardiff City's Premier League adventure.


By Simon Thomas
“You need competition to make yourself better and improve.

Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland believes the Arms Park outfit will benefit rather than suffer as a result of Cardiff City’s promotion to the Premier League.

Far from seeing the newly-elevated Bluebirds as a threat, Holland insists the Blues can actually ride on the back of their success.

However, he does acknowledge work needs to be done at junior level to encourage youngsters to take up rugby in the face of renewed interest in football.

Concern has been expressed over the potential impact upon Welsh rugby of Cardiff City joining Swansea City in the Premiership, particularly in terms of attendances.

But Holland says the Blues are already well ahead of schedule in terms of hitting their season ticket revenue target for next season.

Blues chief Richard Holland
And he believes the Bluebirds’ promotion can have positive spin-offs for the Arms Park-based region.

“First of all, huge congratulations to Cardiff City,” he said.

“They are friends of ours and we are absolutely delighted for them.

“It’s fantastic for Cardiff as a city. It’s a city that loves sport, whether that is football or rugby. There are lots of positive things happening for the football team and hopefully we can ride on the back of their success.

“When any city has sporting excellence, it can only help participation in all sports.

“There will be greater investment in the city, in terms of restaurants, hotels and businesses. It makes Cardiff a better place to attract sponsors and the corporate side.

“It’s a brilliant city to invest in, with so much going on.

“And if people are coming down here to watch Cardiff City play on a Saturday and we are playing on a Friday, we can obviously potentially benefit from that.

“I think it’s a win-win.”

In terms of the Bluebirds’ promotion being a threat to rugby in the capital, Holland is convinced both sports can prosper.

“Ultimately, in any business, there is always competition,” he said.

“You need competition to make yourself better and improve.

“There is a place for football and rugby in the city.

“Cardiff is big enough for both.

“Swansea City and the Ospreys share a stadium and both are successful.”

Holland is upbeat about the future of the Blues, who returned to the Arms Park this season after three years away at the Bluebirds’ Cardiff City Stadium.

“There has been a big improvement this year in terms of the revenue generated from our home matches,” he said.

“On top of that, we have already reached 60 per cent of our season ticket revenue target for next season and we are still only in April.

“Our shirt sponsors EADS have committed to a new three-year deal from next season.

“Commercially we are in a strong position, we are about to post a black number.

“But to be competitive is going to take another chunk of investment and where that comes from I am not sure.

“We have got challenges whether Cardiff City are in the Championship or the Premiership.”

However, what Holland feels is essential is that rugby addresses the threat from football in terms of youth development.

“You are going to have Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham coming to Cardiff and I am sure that will draw kids to be more interested in football,” he said.

“Now more than ever the WRU, working in participation with everyone in Welsh rugby, need to ensure that participation numbers grow rather than diminish, by investing in schools, pathway and colleges.”

Director of rugby Phil Davies believes there was encouragement to be drawn from last weekend’s attendances when both the Blues and the Bluebirds were at home on the same afternoon, against Zebre and Nottingham Forest respectively.

“It is fantastic that Cardiff’s two professional teams can attract 40,000 supporters on a Saturday,” he said.

“Hopefully that is the sign of things to come with us getting 10,000 and Cardiff City getting capacity stadiums.

“The buzz that Premier League football will bring to the city will be remarkable and I have seen the affect it has had on Swansea.

“Hopefully it will have a really positive affect and bring sport to the forefront of people around this area.

“There will always be people who will watch rugby and others who will watch football.

“I don’t think Cardiff City being promoted will have a negative affect on the Blues.

“There will be people who flit in between, as there are in Swansea.

“It is positive for Wales which is a small country and to have two teams in the top tier of the Premier League is remarkable.”

FORMER Blues and Wales hooker Rhys Thomas is set for a return to regional rugby with the Dragons.

The 30-year-old is expected to end his stint with London Wasps at the end of the season and would be an ideal replacement for the retired Steve Jones at the Dragons.

why does it concern you Annis?

I cant imagine you would ever go to a rugby game

If rugby benefits from Cardiff being promoted thats a good thing, if it doesnt well its got nothing to do with our club and our club will succeed or fail on its own merits.

It concern's Annis because he doesn't like Rugby and like me wont want to see a sport who thinks its the main and the only important sport in wales benefiting from cardiff city football clubs success

Publicly welcoming it - privately shitting it.

I totally disagree, I honestly believe Cardiff City and Swansea being in the Premier league, that in the long run, rugby will suffer.
OPINIONS?



Cardiff Blues insist region will benefit from Bluebirds' Premier League promotion
18 Apr 2013
Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland says the whole city will benefit from Cardiff City's Premier League adventure.


By Simon Thomas
“You need competition to make yourself better and improve.

Cardiff Blues chief executive Richard Holland believes the Arms Park outfit will benefit rather than suffer as a result of Cardiff City’s promotion to the Premier League.

Far from seeing the newly-elevated Bluebirds as a threat, Holland insists the Blues can actually ride on the back of their success.

However, he does acknowledge work needs to be done at junior level to encourage youngsters to take up rugby in the face of renewed interest in football.

Concern has been expressed over the potential impact upon Welsh rugby of Cardiff City joining Swansea City in the Premiership, particularly in terms of attendances.

But Holland says the Blues are already well ahead of schedule in terms of hitting their season ticket revenue target for next season.

Blues chief Richard Holland
And he believes the Bluebirds’ promotion can have positive spin-offs for the Arms Park-based region.

“First of all, huge congratulations to Cardiff City,” he said.

“They are friends of ours and we are absolutely delighted for them.

“It’s fantastic for Cardiff as a city. It’s a city that loves sport, whether that is football or rugby. There are lots of positive things happening for the football team and hopefully we can ride on the back of their success.

“When any city has sporting excellence, it can only help participation in all sports.

“There will be greater investment in the city, in terms of restaurants, hotels and businesses. It makes Cardiff a better place to attract sponsors and the corporate side.

“It’s a brilliant city to invest in, with so much going on.

“And if people are coming down here to watch Cardiff City play on a Saturday and we are playing on a Friday, we can obviously potentially benefit from that.

“I think it’s a win-win.”

In terms of the Bluebirds’ promotion being a threat to rugby in the capital, Holland is convinced both sports can prosper.

“Ultimately, in any business, there is always competition,” he said.

“You need competition to make yourself better and improve.

“There is a place for football and rugby in the city.

“Cardiff is big enough for both.

“Swansea City and the Ospreys share a stadium and both are successful.”

Holland is upbeat about the future of the Blues, who returned to the Arms Park this season after three years away at the Bluebirds’ Cardiff City Stadium.

“There has been a big improvement this year in terms of the revenue generated from our home matches,” he said.

“On top of that, we have already reached 60 per cent of our season ticket revenue target for next season and we are still only in April.

“Our shirt sponsors EADS have committed to a new three-year deal from next season.

“Commercially we are in a strong position, we are about to post a black number.

“But to be competitive is going to take another chunk of investment and where that comes from I am not sure.

“We have got challenges whether Cardiff City are in the Championship or the Premiership.”

However, what Holland feels is essential is that rugby addresses the threat from football in terms of youth development.

“You are going to have Manchester United, Chelsea and Tottenham coming to Cardiff and I am sure that will draw kids to be more interested in football,” he said.

“Now more than ever the WRU, working in participation with everyone in Welsh rugby, need to ensure that participation numbers grow rather than diminish, by investing in schools, pathway and colleges.”

Director of rugby Phil Davies believes there was encouragement to be drawn from last weekend’s attendances when both the Blues and the Bluebirds were at home on the same afternoon, against Zebre and Nottingham Forest respectively.

“It is fantastic that Cardiff’s two professional teams can attract 40,000 supporters on a Saturday,” he said.

“Hopefully that is the sign of things to come with us getting 10,000 and Cardiff City getting capacity stadiums.

“The buzz that Premier League football will bring to the city will be remarkable and I have seen the affect it has had on Swansea.

“Hopefully it will have a really positive affect and bring sport to the forefront of people around this area.

“There will always be people who will watch rugby and others who will watch football.

“I don’t think Cardiff City being promoted will have a negative affect on the Blues.

“There will be people who flit in between, as there are in Swansea.

“It is positive for Wales which is a small country and to have two teams in the top tier of the Premier League is remarkable.”

FORMER Blues and Wales hooker Rhys Thomas is set for a return to regional rugby with the Dragons.

The 30-year-old is expected to end his stint with London Wasps at the end of the season and would be an ideal replacement for the retired Steve Jones at the Dragons.

why does it concern you Annis?

I cant imagine you would ever go to a rugby game

If rugby benefits from Cardiff being promoted thats a good thing, if it doesnt well its got nothing to do with our club and our club will succeed or fail on its own merits.

It concern's Annis because he doesn't like Rugby and like me wont want to see a sport who thinks its the main and the only important sport in wales benefiting from cardiff city football clubs success

oh I apologise didnt mean to hurt your feelings

who cares what rugby does has nothing to do with what we as a football team does or has any bearing on our success or failures.

however if it makes you feel good go for it

personally what rugby does has no real interest for me let them do what they want

if they find something that helps them good for them

There is some sense in what is being said. The whole of Cardiff will benefit commercially and sponsors will want some of the action, they may be priced out of Cardiff City FC but may see value in some form of association with the name Cardiff and sport and end up getting involved with the rugby club. Also, there will be less football to watch next year, 8 games in fact, Cardiff Blues may pick up a few more fans who find they have more time on their hands and go along to the rugby.
Where rugby will suffer, as has been pointed out is at kids level, they will now have the opportunity to see their Premiership idols playing live and any kids wavering between football and rugby, will probably be pulled to football. However, I do believe that there are many kids in Wales who are naturally drawn to the physical element of Rugby over football, whether Premiership football is there or not, they just prefer playing and watching rugby.

I'd like to see Wales and Welsh teams succed in all sports. However the Welsh rugby regions have a lot to do, with Swansea and now Cardiff in the Prem. Welsh regions are on melt down with their best players leaving.

I hope to see loads of Cardiff City shirts on the kids in Cardiff and the Valleys but would rather see Blues, Dragons, Ospreys or Scarlet shirts than Man U or Liverpool.

Bye bye.

Last edited by AJ1927 on Thu Apr 18, 2013 9:07 am, edited 1 time in total.

Welsh rugby Internationals bring to the centre something the football won't for a long time.

Welsh rugby Internationals bring to the centre something the football won't for a long time.

People wearing daffodils on their heads

Welsh rugby Internationals bring to the centre something the football won't for a long time.

People wearing daffodils on their heads

Why do you have to hate? People like different sports. No, about two hundred thousand people in Cardiff per game day. We can't exactly talk about looking stupid with a home ground with a Malaysian flag in it.

Welsh rugby Internationals bring to the centre something the football won't for a long time.

People wearing daffodils on their heads

And we have a better class of female supporter. Rugby can keep the fat slags that turn up pissed out of their tiny minds on International day, we don't want them.

I see from the Walesonline photos from Tuesday that Gatland and the rugby hierarchy were in attendance at CCS.

It was also interesting to hear on the news yesterday that our income will dwarf that of the whole WRU from next season.

I think until we have additional capacity at CCS then our promotion will not affect the blues attendances. It could however affect their commercial sponsorship as we offer companies better exposure, including at an international level.

Welsh rugby Internationals bring to the centre something the football won't for a long time.

People wearing daffodils on their heads

Why do you have to hate? People like different sports. No, about two hundred thousand people in Cardiff per game day. We can't exactly talk about looking stupid with a home ground with a Malaysian flag in it.

Most of the rugby fans i know or have spoken to have always scoffed when you mention cardiff city or football in general.
I would like south wales and the city of cardiff to benefit but hope rugby get bugger all..

From next season Wales are playing some 6 nation games on a Friday night, that's before our fixture list comes out.

Football is bigger. no rugby club gets 22,000 week in week out.

Its pathetic how you want the downfall of rugby for the sake of Cardiffs improvement. Are you not Welsh? fkin joke.

f**k rugby

Its pathetic how you want the downfall of rugby for the sake of Cardiffs improvement. Are you not Welsh? fkin joke.

Hating rugby is not pathetic. Your the joke for thinking people are not welsh because they dont give two hoots for the shit thats called rugby..

The regions might suffer as any neutrals who enjoy both are going to send their money on premier league football over seeing the regional sides play mediocre rugby and for large chunks of the season play without the 'star' players. The national game will be fine though imo.

Nail in the coffin?

Not many people relate to Cardiff because of its criminal history, even though its wrong of late. The Welsh internationals are like bank holidays. It won't change because people know its going to be packed every time they go there. I can imagine some of you have been out when there's a rugby game. 75k packed stadium directly in the city centre with pubs and nightlife all around or a 25k stadium not in the centre. Premier League may change things though. There will always be a strong rugby following in Wales.

Decline in numbers at the grounds at the 4 regions has nothing to do with the success of the welsh football clubs, but the rift between the regions and wru iver the years,and the fact of the regions being formed in the first place,people wont go to watch the regions and instead go to watch ponty,neath etc..... Also take a look at our national football side who carnt sell the liberty out! Club rugby attendances poor compared to club football , welsh international football attendances poor compared to welsh rugby internationals ..... Our promotion will benefit us and cardiff as a city

Last edited by bluesince'92 on Thu Apr 18, 2013 11:07 am, edited 1 time in total.

If the Blues are savvy they will try and strike a deal with city to allow season ticket holders get money off match day tickets and they will mke the arms park family friendly as city have done at CCS.

More Friday night games and Lunchtime Saturday games would be beneficial too as if you like both sports you wont have to choose between the 2.

Welsh rugby Internationals bring to the centre something the football won't for a long time.

People wearing daffodils on their heads

Why do you have to hate? People like different sports. No, about two hundred thousand people in Cardiff per game day. We can't exactly talk about looking stupid with a home ground with a Malaysian flag in it.

Who mentioned looking stupid?

And FYI I don't hate it. I actually like the six nations. But like I said "it's and Event", I don't go and watch it because I would be a hypocrite, and that's something I am not.

I wouldn't go and watch Wales play rugby like the 70, odd thousand do. But I also wouldn't attend international matches and ignore regional matches, like the 200,000 odd do.


I support Cardiff and i(when able) attend matches.

Jinks wrote
It concern's Annis because he doesn't like Rugby and like me wont want to see a sport who thinks its the main and the only important sport in wales benefiting from cardiff city football clubs success.





Forever Blue wrote

Correct Jinks, in the 70's I had rugby rammed down me and football was laughed at and yes I have always despised it.