Two school children debate media coverage of schools rugby

Alan Kearns (18), from Belvedere College in Dublin says:

NO: IN RECENT years schools' rugby has seen a huge surge in media coverage from national newspapers and television stations. It would seem the dramatic shortening in the wilderness years in which the top schools players struggle to gain a foothold in the provincial and national set-up has necessitated this influx in interest.

Nearly all of the senior Irish panel can claim schools' cup success yet very few can boast of such a short transition from their senior cup final to their international debut. This accolade belongs to the more recent products of the schools system such as Rob Kearney, Keith Earls and Luke Fitzgerald, who all earned their first cap before their 22nd birthdays.

The most telling statistic being that Fitzgerald represented his country only six months after his last schools game for Blackrock College. This again adds credibility to the notion that not only are the school teams laying the foundation for the next generation of Ireland rugby stars but they are producing the final product itself. This looks set to continue, considering colleges are willing to hire ex-Ireland internationals to coach these players.

In fact, as I talked to class-mate and Belvedere number eight Ben Geraghty about the above motion he revealed to me he was in mental conflict between his Leaving Cert and his preparation for the upcoming cup ties. Yet this dedication can be seen throughout all school teams. The schools rugby competitions have firmly cemented their place as the most competitive and one of the most popular youth sports systems in the country, commanding attendances of up to 25,000 spectators for the finals, nearly twice Leinster's average attendance.

It would seem to me a competition of this calibre deserves the recognition it is getting. Yet it would be naïve of me to believe the competition itself is at the heart of the debate and not the type of schools which enter it, fee-paying schools.

I must admit I cannot agree with the cynics' view that these cups only serve to feed the egos of upper-middle class brats, especially when many non-fee paying schools enter and enjoy success every year throughout the country. From my experience schools rugby has been nothing less than a thoroughly enjoyable and rewarding experience, one which has always strengthened the sense of community and camaraderie within the college and I know the same is true for the other schools which partake.

Every year the anticipation and excitement is palpable as we congregate in the stands, not to witness the personification of Ross O'Carroll Kelly but rather that of talent and determination. At every jersey presentation we observe the exchange of simple black and white shirts which have been passed down for over 122 years and not that of Abercrombie Fitch, and every time I hear our anthem, Only In God, roared from the terraces I'm filled with pride. I ask you wholeheartedly, is this not sport? Is this not entertainment? Is this not worthy of "coverage"?

Edward Kevin (14), from Blackrock College in Dublin says:

NO:FIRST OFF, I just need to get it straight that despite my attendance at Blackrock College I'm not some rugby-crazed nut. I haven't played the game in over a year, and before that my abilities were, to put it mildly, indescribably woeful. I do, however, have a big interest in the sport, and so because of that I deem myself qualified to write about it in The Irish Times.

The schools’ rugby season lasts for approximately a month and a half every year. During this time, it is only mentioned on national TV once, on the day of the final. Setanta Ireland shows the more high-profile games, and The Irish Times devotes about a page to it once a week after the matches. Match reports (for the Leinster Senior Cup at least) are equal in size and quality to the reports given to professional matches, and why shouldn’t they be?

The matches that take place at Donnybrook are full of the most enthusiastic fans in Ireland, regardless of their school. I can’t vouch for the other provinces, but I’d imagine they’re the same. It is much easier to feel pride and be enthusiastic about a team you see in the corridor or in the classroom every day, doing something to an almost professional standard, than for a bunch of full-time professionals.

The schools’ players train for the same amount of time, if not for longer, than professional players, and do it while fitting in classes, homework, study, exams and a life outside school. Surely this devotion and commitment should be recognised by an appropriate amount of media coverage?

A team that loses in the semi-final to a supreme ’Rock side (joke) will not receive a medal, they won’t receive adulation from their schoolmates, but they will have a framed article detailing their brilliant win in the second round. If they don’t have this, what do they have? A jersey that reminds them of their loss, and a complete lack of recognition of their efforts during the previous six months? The schools’ competitions are the almost sole proving ground for young players in Ireland. If a player performs well for his school he could be brought in to the provincial academy. He may then be given a development contract with the province, and if he succeeds with this he could be put in to the reckoning for a first-15 place.

Young players now are used to media attention, they are being mentioned in articles from the age of 15 so they know how to deal with the pressure once they reach the higher echelons of world rugby (if they get that far, of course). If they were not used to media coverage, they could become anxious and under-perform, and then negative press could destroy both their confidence and, possibly, their career.

In conclusion, in schools’ rugby the training is as tough as in professional rugby, in some respects the quality of the matches is as good, the players are as determined to succeed and, possibly most importantly, the fan support is more enthusiastic.

So, why shouldn’t the coverage remain the same, if not even greater?