Robshaw: Players could do community service rather than match bans to support grassroots game
This article was written by Progressive Rugby
Former England captain Chris Robshaw has questioned whether players should serve grassroots rugby community service instead of match bans for certain offences.
Robshaw, who now plays in the USA’s Major League Rugby (MLR) competition for San Diego legion after leaving Harlequins, put forward the idea on social media.
The 66-times capped flanker says grassroots rugby was facing an increasingly challenging time and that professional teams needed to support them.
He wrote: “Every cloud has a silver lining. I’ve been very fortunate throughout my career to be able to go into the rugby community & support local clubs & grassroots teams. It’s been an amazingly rewarding experience. I’ve worked with clubs around the country, offering to help where I can.
“The last 18 months has been a challenging time for grassroots rugby and being able to go and work with these clubs has shown me that we need to explore new ways how professional rugby can support these clubs and organisations, such as through a change in sanctions.
“A shift in emphasis for particular sanctions, moving away from match bans towards rugby community service would allow players to re-connect with local clubs. Most importantly, it would serve as a significant benefit to the local community and clubs having top-level professionals supporting, training and mentoring the next generation of boys, girls and senior teams.”
Although Robshaw did not expand on what offences would warrant community service rather than a match ban it’s certainly interesting food for thought.