Sport

Elwood pushes for proper covered facilities as a priority

RUGBY: CONNACHT RUGBY must address the lack of proper covered facilities for supporters as a top priority if the province wants…

LINLEY MacKENZIE
Fri May 27 2011 - 01:00

RUGBY:CONNACHT RUGBY must address the lack of proper covered facilities for supporters as a top priority if the province wants to capitalise on its entry into the Heineken Cup, according to head coach Eric Elwood.

“We are playing a professional sport,” he says. “People come to the Galway Sportsground expecting to be entertained, protected from the elements, bring their children and get something to eat and drink – that’s the match day experience – you cannot expect people to stand in the rain.

“We need to provide for our supporters, build our support base, and the way to do that is provide facilities. People know what needs to be done. Leinster have got us into the Heineken Cup and there is goodwill out there – so there can be no excuses.”

The Connacht Branch has secured planning permission for a new covered stand, costing up to €2 million, but it unlikely to be built before the start of next season. And although the branch has ruled out a move away from the venue, the planned development would not add to the current 7,500 capacity. However, Elwood insists a stand could be developed over several stages, with a cover the top priority for next season.

READ MORE

“We are not going to get money from the IRFU so we have to raise our own funds, that’s what we have been told for a long time. I think we can do that, and I think we are capable – okay it could be in a couple of phases – but the point is we need to provide cover for our supporters next season and, depending on finance, we might be able to go to phase two the year after.”

Leinster’s triumph over Northampton in the final earned Ireland an additional place, and Elwood says after 15 years of waiting, it does not matter that it was through the “back door”. “I can see nothing but positives about us being in the Heineken Cup. Yes it’s a challenge, but it’s more of an opportunity. There is goodwill out there, from the supporters, the new supporter, the business community, and the wider community – we have to tap into it.”

Elwood has one position left to fill in his squad for next season which he hopes will be a “big-name” centre – but with no extra funding from the IRFU, he warns it will be a difficult challenge. “I think there will be huge demands on our squad, but . . . hopefully the intensity in training and in attitude will be raised because of the Heineken Cup. It is going to be tough, but the fact we are in this big competition will give us a lift.”