Dan chats with Sean Phelan, creator of Fill Your Boots, connecting players and clubs for rugby games. They discuss the struggles clubs face in finding players, ways to grow the women's game, and retaining volunteers. Check out Fill Your Boots website for free connections!
Fill Your Boots connects players and clubs for weekend games, addressing player shortages.
Flexible scheduling and consistent match participation are crucial for player enjoyment and skill development.
Deep dives
Promoting Rugby Matches with Fill Your Boots Platform
Fill Your Boots, a platform founded by Sean Phelan, facilitates the connection between players and clubs, allowing them to find games for weekends. With over 510 clubs and 25,000 followers across social media, the platform offers free registration for players and clubs to join local groups and increase rugby match opportunities.
Challenges in Securing Player Commitment
Sean Phelan highlights the challenges faced by clubs in securing player commitment, attributing this shift to changing work patterns, financial constraints, and family responsibilities. The evolving nature of player availability necessitates flexible scheduling, including considering morning games or alternative kick-off times to accommodate diverse commitments.
Struggles in Maintaining Regular Game Participation
The discussion delves into the impact of irregular game schedules on player enjoyment and performance, emphasizing the need for consistent match participation to maintain skill levels and enjoyment. It underscores the importance of creating a pool of players for regular game hosting and participation to ensure a vibrant rugby community.
Supporting Women's Rugby Growth and Development
Addressing the growth of women's rugby, the conversation highlights the need for enhanced infrastructure within clubs to support the rising interest in the sport. Emphasizing the importance of coaching, facilities, and player development, the focus shifts towards nurturing a vibrant women's rugby community for sustained growth and inclusivity.