The Player’s View · Issue 832

First XV Rugby player Jon Walder gives his view on Cardiff’s sporting resources

AFTER TRAVELLING around the UK’s finest academic institutions to face various rugby teams, it is instantly apparent that there is great value placed on sport related investment.

For instance, Bath University’s iconic modern multi-purpose sports centre is comparable with any commercial fitness centre I have encountered.

Multiple studios, courts, pools, playing fields and gymnasium cater for every need, from that of the relative novice to the budding professional.

In comparison, Cardiff University has a ratio of 25,000 students to 1 astro-turf pitch. I have experienced the consequence of this deficit first-hand.

On numerous occasions, rugby training has had to be cancelled due to the unavailability of viable locations or bad weather conditions.

Consequently, the team competing in the Premier League for first time in its existence, have been forced to go into matches with only one hour of preparation time.

This is clearly enough not to be successful in a league where our rivals train as a team up to 4 times a week.

Throughout my years at Cardiff University, I have seen the professionalism, commitment and ability of the rugby team grow to levels which only five years ago were largely considered unobtainable. This growth has not been matched by financial investment and the fear remains that without such, the teams promising rise will not be sustainable.

Put simply, by failing to adequately invest in sport, Cardiff University is failing its students.

It is often declared that as an academic institution the University’s primary concern should rest with its academic capabilities. However such academic determinism ignores the synergetic benefit of students partaking in extra-curricular activities that stretch them in ways beyond academia and encourage holistic development.

That is not to say that we should encourage a trade-off between the two, but rather there should exist an understanding that there need not be one.