I was in Dublin not too long ago and bumped into one of the Pundit Arena writers in a pub (where else?) and once we both figured out that we had a lot of friends in common in the rugby world – our conversation turned to “why don’t you guys have professional rugby”?

Actually, first he bought me a Guinness – thank God not another Irishman drinking Budweiser! Boy can I talk on the subject of Professional Rugby – I think my answer surprised him. Despite all the rugby I watch, and the thousands of miles I travel to see top rugby live – I don’t want it in the US… yet.

Let me backtrack a bit and explain why I feel I am entitled to pontificate… I have run rugby camps for up to 400 students, coaching clinics for many levels and arguably one of the most successful collegiate programs in America for going on 10 years.

We have managed to get a beautiful IRB-approved bermuda grass field, dedicated to rugby, built on some very expensive real estate right in the middle of town, outside Washington DC. I have hosted seven coaches at once from the Leicester Tigers here, hosted numerous professional players, 7’s tournaments, and always made rugby my leisure focus as I worked all over America in 43 different states.

In my role as director of rugby/chief fundraiser/recruiter/ankle-taper/cheerleader/academic advisor/loan officer I don’t just look at talent – I look at how things get done and paid for (I have also worked for 5 different start-up medical companies so I have a bit of business experience).

Check out this current video that was just posted on youtube of an interview about the current state of PRO Rugby in the US (the league just folded and was called “PRO”).

This is a cluster I am not proud of as an American although, this is truly a case where a lot of us could say “I told you so”. I do not know the coach in this interview (Paul Keeler) but I am told by a few people that I trust that everything he says is true.

Simply put – we are not ready for professional rugby – we are not committed to it culturally yet. I turn on my TV and I see 10 different professional sports. I go to the store and I am hit with Washington Redskins gear, Washington Nationals banners, and Washington Capitols hats. Rugby?… near me there is one rugby retail outlet in an area of 40 million people and it sells knock-off gear, stuff you have never heard of.

Lose your kicking tee / need a pair of rugby shorts / want to buy a jersey from your local club? Better log on because you can’t buy it, anywhere. My grandfather always told me to “follow the money dumb-ass!”. He was right – if there is a need, Americans will find a way to sell it to you – we are just not there…yet.

There are some things that England and Ireland have figured out and youth rugby is one of them – these two countries are essentially building pro rugby fans, lifelong fans.

Two things stick in my mind recently that I saw with my own eyes. The first was that I was at Farnham Rugby outside London (I have two players from that club at my University) and was just amazed at the clubhouse, the youth fields, the parents at the training session and just the “ownership” of it all.

This building was beautiful, they owned it and were proud of it – we really don’t have but five facilities in all of America that could even be on this level – and those are literally thousands of miles apart here.

We just do not have the culture here yet that is full-on, lets enjoy a rugby match that ends 14-6 and then go to the pub – we are growing it but it will take more time. We simply as a country, outside of rugby die-hards, do not know what the game can be and how it can occupy your soul – I don’t think a season of professional rugby would be appreciated by enough people when you can see NFL, NBA, MLB, NCAA Basketball, NCAA Football, MMA, NASCAR, and MLS soccer around every corner, on every massive flat screen TV. WE HAVE TO GROW LOCAL CLUBS TO GROW THE FAN BASE.

The second was a “friendly” match I saw a couple months back in Cork between Presentation Brothers and St. Michaels – wow! This match truly made me appreciate how far our youth programs are lagging behind the Irish youth in sheer skill. We have pockets of excellence (the new collegiate league I helped found among them – as well as a youth “premier league” on the east coast), but while we are getting “better” in the US we need to step it up.

We badly need Rugby Development Officers (RDOs) and more skilled coaches – the coaches at St Michaels and Presentation Brothers are worlds ahead of what we have, and that is not our fault – but we have to figure it out, and quickly. If I go back to Dublin, London, or up in Leicester I see them accelerating their coaching and programs faster than the average American program is gaining ground. While you might ask why does the above paragraph matter in terms of viewership of pro rugby, it matters very much – I truly believe that those that KNOW the game will be more likely to spend their hard-earned money on the pro game and appreciate a game well-played match over the course of a long season.

So what can we, all of us, collectively do? A few things…

To begin with, we need to send all of your clubs our best players aged 17 or 18 – they need a professional environment and 20-30 challenging games per year. I sent one of my best recruits to Cork last year at age 17, and he came back a changed man – he is a candidate for the US u20 side, doesn’t hurt that he is 6’7″ and 240 lbs (we grow them big here), but the experience pushed him, his ball skills and attitude flourished at Presentation Brothers Cork where he had to fight to make the side each weekend.

You, as in you guys in Ireland and England, could help build rugby here from the ground up – we need your help. I was shocked to run into an NFL development officer in Galway a few years ago – you need to do the same, grow your market. We just don’t know what we are missing – we cannot appreciate it yet. We need to stop being fooled by hype where someone posts all over the internet about what they have done and that is equated to a “groundswell” of support – it is not here yet, except in pockets of passionate supporters.

The NY Yankees (I see those hats all over the world) apparently flew over Puerto Rico back in the 1950’s and dropped boxes and boxes of hats over every baseball field on the Island – all of the European Rugby teams should treat the US just like this – cultivate the place! We have athletes walking around our high school (you say “College”) football fields and basketball courts that you would love to capture for your rugby programs.

Start an academy or two – get them involved! One of my university roommates is employed by a top 10 college football program – he has at least 30 athletes on his team that physically would be at the top of the charts in strength and agility versus a Premiership or Pro 12 Rugby Club. Keep in mind that there are over 100 US university teams playing football at this level. Guys like Samu Manoa, who did not make football first sides, are excellent rugby players that you would be glad to have on any team.

Send your students to America! I am biased here but I think the exchange is so valuable for everyone. Until I started promoting rugby a few years back at the university, I don’t believe that any of my students came in contact with foreign students. Every one of the players I get from overseas brings a love of their home club – for instance it is great to hear the banter between the Leicester Tiger versus Bath versus Harlequins supporters I currently have at the club.

We have not gotten games on TV until this year on a regular basis so the culture is growing. Your students can be ambassadors of the game, go to the beach on their breaks – live the American Dream, buy a house, get a 70″ flat screen and a real truck (you guys don’t have those) – and one day support professional rugby here!

Finally, bend your rules a little bit for the next few years! Make it easier for our top players to play for your teams. I guarantee that you will be pleased with the effort our players from the US put into your clubs (we like to tackle).

If you happen to be in America – please stop by for a game – we have a pretty nice set up here, I would be glad to buy you a pint at the pub right down the street from the field!

Tim Brown, Pundit Arena

Read More About: aviva premiership, england rugby, Ireland, pro12, professional rugby, rugby union, Samu Manoa, Top Story, US rugby