Conversion needed on rugby coverage
With this year’s Six Nations championship fast approaching anticipation amongst Scottish rugby fans is beginning to build.
Indeed with the excellent media coverage that this event now attracts the chances are that many people who are not necessarily devout followers of the game will be drawn into the excitement.
But these fans which are drawn into the passion and excitement of the Six Nations could be forgiven for assuming that the annual tournament is all that is going on in rugby, such is the lack of coverage of Scotland’s domestic teams and tournaments.
Scottish Rugby, the sports governing body in this country, is growing increasingly exasperated at the seeming reluctance of terrestrial broadcasters to showcase the domestic scene and believes that the lack of coverage threatens efforts to increase participation in the sport.
Rugby enjoys a significant following across Scotland but there are significant gaps in coverage on television for the sport particularly on terrestrial channels.
The fortunes of the country’s two professional teams, Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors, can be followed through a highlights programme on STV which is to be welcomed but unless you are fortunate enough to be connected to a pay to view provider your chances of watching a live club game in Scotland are near non-existent.
A greater presence on our television screens would help to boost interest and participation in the sport amongst young people boosting their physical development and building on the excellent work being undertaken by Scottish Rugby in local communities.
Welsh viewers have the opportunity to watch live games in the Magners league thanks to a joint deal from BBC Wales and S4C and I would like Scottish rugby fans to have the same opportunity to enjoy the action from Edinburgh and Glasgow Warriors on free to air services.
It would not be possible to talk about the issue of rugby broadcasting without mentioning the very sad news that commentator Bill McLaren has passed away.
Bill McLaren and his distinctive voice were synonymous with rugby and the warm tributes which have flooded in from players, colleagues and rugby fans demonstrate the high regard in which he was held. He will be sadly missed.