Strong words from Premier One clubs as they urge the union to appoint a chief executive with understanding of club game

SCOTLAND'S leading clubs have called for the Scottish Rugby Union to appoint a chief executive who understands club rugby in Scotland and supporter disenchantment, and make a clear shift away from trying to emulate models in other countries.

In a strongly-worded statement by the Premier One Forum chairman Peter Laverie, Ayr's assistant coach, there is the suggestion that the change of chairman and chief executive should be accompanied by new board members.

He also calls for the SRU to align clubs across Scotland more clearly with the Glasgow and Edinburgh teams and to restore the inter-district championships from under-15 to under-18 levels, but not yet for senior clubs.

Laverie stated: "We need to focus on the work of our clubs in generating more players and raising standards of play.

"Whilst we have become better at recording our playing numbers, probably the reason why they show an increase, the truth is fewer teams are turning out on a regular basis than used to and this has to be a concern. We need to get playing numbers up.

"We also have to create an improved pathway system, which offers more opportunity to a much wider group of our better youngsters to keep them in the game and give them a greater variety of coaching and training.

"This also gives coaches more chances of developing their skills and we need to make sure that happens too as Scottish rugby needs a steady supply of experienced coaches for all levels, including the professional game."

On the relations between clubs and pro clubs, he said: "The links with the professional teams must be developed. One of the reasons both teams are poorly supported is that club members feel disengaged from them; they have no real relationship with either team. This is understandable since half the country is disenfranchised from the pro game.

"Understandably, the economics of rugby in Scotland have determined we have just two professional teams currently based in Edinburgh and Glasgow. However, it is important that the two clubs represent the whole country and we have advocated strongly that Glasgow Warriors should be the Warriors and be the pro club for Glasgow and Caledonia districts while Edinburgh should be the Knights (or whatever) and the club for the Borders and Edinburgh Districts.

"Already the P1 clubs have agreed to align their selections in the first pro draft to reflect these associations."

Laverie's suggestions detailed how young players should be encouraged to remain with their local clubs and in their districts, with the lure of district representation, even if identified as having talent and being in the SRU academy system.

"All of these measures help to build close links and identity with the professional sides as well as strengthen the club game," he said. "Of course it means that clubs will have to step up to the challenge of raising their standards but it does give us an opportunity to identify and have a stronger relationship with each other. If we can get crowds up at club games with better marketing and improved playing standards then hopefully closer links and ties with the pro clubs will see increased attendances there."

He also makes mention of another issue currently circulating the Scottish game, that of whether the SRU could add to their cross-border experience by entering club sides into the Amlin Challenge Cup as well as the British and Irish Cup, potentially as a reward for league or cup winners.

He added: "Scotland is a small country but within rugby there is a wealth of talent and experience in clubs. We need to make better use of our skilled volunteers in coaching, business and marketing - do we have a choice?

"We certainly need a structure and system that works for Scotland and should stop trying to impose models from other countries where the culture and factors are different to ours.

"Surely, we have the creativity and knowledge to develop something of excellence which saves and grows our game."

There has been much talk this week across the game about what kind of chief executive the SRU now require, as well as plenty of speculation around who exactly might fit the bill. Laverie insisted that, in common with the comments made by Gavin Hastings and Jim Telfer in The Scotsman over the past two days, it is understanding of Scottish issues that are most dearly sought by clubs.

He concluded: "The new chief executive will have to understand these issues, and I think we might want to take this opportunity to freshen up the board too.

"These are exciting times, really, and we do have an opportunity to put club and professional rugby into gear. If we get it right we'll have a healthy, vibrant game and our national side will benefit too."