Sport In Profile UK Issue 08 | Page 15

vagabonds rufc after 8pm in the evening. With young families and partners this can take a toll on relationships and the commitment to travel almost every other weekend is immense. “Whilst travel funding is the responsibility of the RFU this is constantly under review and their continued funding cannot be guaranteed indefinitely, and this is of concern to all the offshore clubs competing in the UK, not just the Isle of man but also the Channel Islands etc. “This means that to continue at the present level Rugby Clubs will have to be run more on a commercial basis to prepare for what may come rather than concentrating on what we are there for – to play rugby. Clubs have to retain players and part of that is to challenge their skills by playing tough and different opposition. Without players we are just another social club – something that nobody in the rugby community wants to see. “In this year of the Rugby World Cup in England it is to be hoped that an increase in both player numbers and interest in the sport we love will result in improved stability for the future of all Clubs across the nation.” www.vagabondsiom.net - Twitter : @ VagabondsRUFC www.sportip.biz 15