- Rugby boss introduces the away section of Gallagher Premiership matches.
- A designated area for away fans will add to the atmosphere and grow rugby.
- It will be important for home clubs to fully embrace this and welcome away fans.
It’s fantastic to see England rugby coaches thinking outside the box.
Games have been doing the same thing over and over again for too long and it’s clear that change is needed. The financial problems experienced by clubs and the collapse of Worcester, Wasps and London Irish showed exactly this.
Only by designating a section for away rugby fans at matches can we see the positive side.
It will definitely add to the ambience and ultimately that’s what it’s all about. This helps us sell our products and increase the appeal of rugby.
This has been the status quo in football for a long time, but it is mainly done to avoid clashes with rival fans.
Gallagher Premiership Rugby club to introduce ‘away fan sections’ at matches
Sitting in blocks away from fellow supporters will help create a sense of attachment.
That’s not why rugby makes this move. It is being done for positive reasons, not negative reasons. And that should be applauded.
The pros far outweigh the cons. Actually, I don’t see any downsides.
If I were an away fan, sitting in a block with fellow supporters would certainly be appealing. This adds camaraderie and helps create a sense of attachment.
If this is introduced it is important that home clubs fully embrace it.
It makes no sense to place fans in the worst part of the ground. The opposite should happen. They should be welcomed in style and provided with great seating with easy access to food and beverage facilities.
I hope this gets implemented soon and we can come up with more innovative ideas!
