Andrew Blades recently made some thought-provoking points in a recent article on this website. He highlighted the fact that a majority of rugby matches are only accessible through subscription television or streaming services. This denies access to a significant portion of potential fans who could help the game grow.
Blades emphasized the importance of making Test matches more accessible to the general public. He reminisced about the 1980s and 90s rugby landscape, where Test matches were televised on free-to-air channels at family-friendly times. This allowed more people to engage with the sport and attend local rugby events.
In order to make Test rugby more accessible, Blades suggested scheduling matches at 2pm or 3pm on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. This would make it easier for families and friends to watch the games together, without disrupting social activities or children’s bedtimes. He also proposed playing local Saturday rugby competitions on Sundays to avoid overlapping with Test matches.
Blades acknowledged the challenges of implementing such scheduling changes but believed that the benefits to the rugby community would outweigh the obstacles. This includes better playing conditions, increased social gatherings and events centered around Test rugby, and the ability to reach a broader audience.
Overall, Blades’ ideas present interesting possibilities for making Test rugby more accessible and appealing to a wider demographic.