5/14/2007 - A message from Gord Sneddon - President, Ontario Rugby and Glen Tarver - Director, Ontario Rugby

Integrity and Values

Last week saw the death of a young high school player tragically in Mississauga at the end of a high school game. What happened is a matter for the police and the courts now to resolve. Predictably the media put the sport in the focus as opposed what led to and caused this young mans tragic death. They, the media like the rest of us don't know exactly what happened, but in time we will.

Yesterday prior to my clubs game (Burlington) the two sides and all in attendance stood for a minutes silence to reflect on the passing of this young man a spontaneous yet fitting moment. We all know why we love this sport and what it means to us. My own clubs motto, "Friends through Rugby, Friends Through Life," reflects the culture of the game. That moment also made me think of an article written some time ago by Glenn Tarver that truly reflects the spirit of the game and with Glenn's permission is reprinted for you to ponder on:

Gordon Sneddon

President, Ontario Rugby Union

Rugby is Unique

Rugby is a full contact sport played by highly skilled and physically fit athletes.
Players have little or no padding. The tackling is hard and the mauls, rucks and scrums are equal parts strength and courage.
The ball is spun quickly and adeptly across the field until there is an opening for a ball carrier to exploit.
There aren’t a lot of play stoppages and no time outs except for injuries.
Players have to run for most of the 80 minutes. If you aren’t fit, you will be mostly useless and won’t have much fun.

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Rugby is also a sport with a strong heritage, important traditions and a unique culture.
There may be aggression on the field, but when the final whistle blows and the game is over, that aggression is left behind. When the game is over, it’s over. It’s time to move on. It’s time to shake hands and offer congratulations. We win with grace and lose with dignity.

In rugby, there is still a strong respect for both opponents and game officials. Perhaps because everyone understands how hard it is to play this sport, respect has endured.
The sport has one referee and thirty players. Rugby is a very difficult sport to officiate and players come to understand and respect the referee’s efforts and decisions.

Fights, cheap shots and deliberate attempts to injure occur far less frequently than with most other sports. Trash talking and "dising" opponents aren’t common. Ego displays and "me first" attitudes aren’t acceptable. The players aren’t bigger than the sport.
Most scoring plays require the contributions of many players working together passing or running with the ball. Individual skills are important, but strong teamwork will succeed every time.
It may be a hard contact sport, but it’s also a sport with class. Rugby is a tough sport played by tough people. They play hard, they play to win, but they also mostly play fair.
Rugby is a sport with integrity and values. No winning at all costs. No hate for the other team. Rugby may be aggressive, but it isn’t mean or vicious or violent.
Sportsmanship has survived in rugby.
At the end of the day, rugby is just a game in the bigger game of life.

Glenn Tarver, Director Ontario Rugby Union