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Ivan Kantarovsky, Director Ryve Sports Institute.
A couple of months ago I read on a spontaneous debate in a well-known rugby website about what should be encouraged in U.S.A.’s Rugby for both amateurism or professionalism.
Although I agreed with a person name “Tim” in the fact that Amateurism brings real sports to life throughout volunteers’ passionate help, effort and support; I’m not entirely sure it is more important or more needed than professionalism.
I think it’s not a matter of which is more important. They both definitely need each other. Development and growth is all about facing new challenges and learning throughout the process, as an amateur and as a professional. By the way, I must point out the fact that sometimes the only difference between these two is who is being paid and who isn’t.
Amateur Rugby Needs Professional Rugby for Developmental Reasons
Amateur Rugby needs Professional Rugby for developmental reasons and motivation. It is not new that humans need achievable goals to keep ourselves motivated. Simon Sinek used to talk about the purpose in human actions: the “why”. Why should I wake up every day and give 110% at the gym? at practice? at a particular match? why should I give away sleep, partying, tasty junk food or any other treat I might enjoy? Only out of passion and entertainment? Because it is healthy? I don’t really think so.
The chance of becoming a professional rugby player, a professional rugby coach, S&C Trainer, manager, etc. is what keeps the wheel moving. It’s a great way to catch new people’s attention and to assess continuity (one of rugby’s very own principles).
However, that does not mean that amateur structures must become professional. NO! Even in New Zealand, the professional structure is based on hundreds (if not thousands) of volunteers. Without amateur rugby, there is a HIGH RISK of loss of passion and meaning. In fact, there is a high risk of loss of rugby.
U.S. Rugby Needs Philosophy, Vision, and Passion
Earlier this year I interviewed Argentina’s National Rugby Team Head Coach, Daniel Hourcade, and he said that the principal cause for Pumas’ bad campaign during 2016-2017 was “setting results as a goal instead of game improvement”. That makes a statement in the discussion about whether the amateur way is more needed over the professional’s, since a professional coach recognizes the lack of amateur thinking as a strong explanation for their bad performance.
There is no country, no world, in which there can exist amateurs without the fever pitch that professionals provide. And, at the same time, such professional world can’t either exist without the eager beavers of volunteers and amateur players.
Both structures must work together to continue the path of growth in US Rugby that is happening today. Rugby development needs a lot of Amateur Philosophy, amateur passion, and amateur PEOPLE! But it also needs vision, inspiration and a competitive mind-set… and that’s what professionalism has to offer.