Pontypridd accuse Cardiff Blues of 'arrogant contempt' on signings

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25535712

Cardiff Blues have been accused of not making an official approach for Pontypridd head coach Dale McIntosh and captain Chris Dicomidis.
Stephen Reardon, Pontypridd's chief executive officer, made the allegations on the club website.

McIntosh was named as Blues defence coach in October, while lock Dicomidis signed for the region a month later.

Reardon claims Pontypridd were treated with "arrogant contempt" by the Blues, who are their regional side.

He makes the allegations against the Blues in a statement called "Reclaim our Game".

Reardon wrote: "Is 'Our Game' the one in which a region holds a club in such arrogant contempt that it recruits the club's head coach and captain in mid-season without making an official approach to the club?"

Cardiff Blues have been asked to comment on Reardon's allegations.

New Zealand-born McIntosh, capped twice by Wales, quit as Pontypridd head coach and left his role as Welsh Rugby Union performance skills coach.

The 43-year-old moved to the Arms Park following Rob Powell's departure, which came after Blues conceded six tries in a Heineken Cup defeat by Exeter.

Pontypridd lock Dicomidis joined the Blues on a full-time basis on a long-term deal.

The 29-year-old had been a key figure for Pontypridd over the last decade and was appointed captain in 2010.

Dicomidis represented Wales at Under-19 and Under-21 levels, has played for the Barbarians and has also represented Cyprus.

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http://www.ponty.net/reclaim-our-game

Media coverage of professional rugby football in Wales continues to be dominated by the dispute between the WRU and the four Welsh regions. Embroiled in a row over control and funding, the WRU has determined that the regions must sign an extension to the existing Participation Agreement by the 31st December 2013.

At a meeting a fortnight ago, it seems that the two parties failed to agree on anything other than to meet again. As a consequence of the English Premier Clubs’ apparent decision not play in the Heineken Cup next season, the Welsh Regions desire to join them in a replacement Anglo-Welsh competition. In order to try to accommodate this solution and in an effort to halt the ‘lure of French lucre’, the regions have asked the WRU to increase their funding significantly.

Apparently, the WRU wishes the regions to continue to play in the existing Rabo Direct League and the Heineken Cup. Also the union has declined to authorise any significant increase in funding to the regions in the interests of prudent financial governance.

As a consequence of this impasse, Regional Rugby Wales Ltd has called for a Public Enquiry into current and projected distribution of broadcasting and competition revenues into the professional game in Wales. Furthermore, the regions have launched a campaign slogan entitled’ Protect Our Game’. It prompts the question, to whom does ‘Our Game’ refer - is it the ‘Our Game’ that has allowed super clubs to disenfranchise the majority of Welsh rugby supporters who reside north of the coastal strip defined by the M4 corridor? Is ‘Our Game’ the one in which a region holds a club in such arrogant contempt that it recruits the clubs’ head coach and captain in mid-season without making an official approach to the club?

If the Regions don’t wish to sign the Participation Agreement, then so be it, let them tread their own path. It is a golden opportunity for the WRU to reform the game in Wales in the interests of all of its member clubs and not in the interests of a few. Let’s hope for a Happy and Prosperous, but most of all a Meritocratic New Year.

Stephen Reardon

This is all being discussed elsewhere - shouldn't this be merged?

Also, I noticed they said they hadn't had an "official" approach. Didn't notice that first time. Suggests they had an unofficial approach, which is all that was needed. If they had to have an official approach I think Ponty would have done more than issue a statement.

"Tapping up" in Wales?

Does ANYONE actually like Ponty ?

wasnt DM employed by the blues as their age grade coach?

Think reardon needs to stick to being a crap chemistry teacher.

gcBlues wrote:wasnt DM employed by the blues as their age grade coach?

Think reardon needs to stick to being a crap chemistry teacher.

Agree. Him and Owen Smith MP do themselves no favours. Still, it gives the disenfranchised lot a bit of hope, so here's to them.

munkian wrote:Does ANYONE actually like Ponty ?

Yes, I do, it is very easy for people who still have a first class side to affiliate themselves with and get on their high horse when it comes to Pontypridd, I wonder how how many Newport, Llanelli, Swansea, Neath, and Cardiff fans would feel if they had pro rugby ripped out if them and then had people coming on hear and asking questions like this, yes I have now moved on from the Warriors fiasco, but when people who have no way of knowing the emotions of the people from the valleys are then I would suggest you take a look at Pontypridd and see how they are doing in the Welsh prem and check out their average attendances before asking such sarcy questions as this.  

Hope Ponty keep to their promises though and move all round their region.

What are their average attendances? Also, doing well in the Welsh Premiership, doesn't mean they can step up to pro level.

Whilst it must've been hard for Ponty fans to have messed up their previous chance, it doesn't mean they have to try inviting themselves to the party constantly or try acting like the petulant, noisy neighbours like their supporters and MP have. Particularly with the cloud cuckoo land suggestions they are coming up with (like operating on a third of the budget).

The Ponty website doesn't give attendances. But this says it was less than 1700 for their game against Swansea before Christmas

http://www.swansearfc.co.uk/News/Article/32131

The sooner they accept that they're a feeder club the better

LordDowlais wrote:

munkian wrote:Does ANYONE actually like Ponty ?

Yes, I do, it is very easy for people who still have a first class side to affiliate themselves with and get on their high horse when it comes to Pontypridd, I wonder how how many Newport, Llanelli, Swansea, Neath, and Cardiff fans would feel if they had pro rugby ripped out if them and then had people coming on hear and asking questions like this, yes I have now moved on from the Warriors fiasco, but when people who have no way of knowing the emotions of the people from the valleys are then I would suggest you take a look at Pontypridd and see how they are doing in the Welsh prem and check out their average attendances before asking such sarcy questions as this.  

Think munkian was just having a laugh LD.
I've no problem with Ponty. In fact i've loved it that they've continued to rock the regional boat in their mad kind of way.

IronMike wrote:The sooner they accept that they're a feeder club the better

  

gcBlues wrote:wasnt DM employed by the blues as their age grade coach?

Think reardon needs to stick to being a crap chemistry teacher.

From the Arms Park forum;

"One bone of contention, however, is with Pontypridd RFC themselves, who recently condemned the region for poaching McIntosh and captain Chris Dicomidis mid-season. Chief Executive, Stephen Reardon, accused Cardiff RFC Ltd. of ‘arrogant contempt’ over the festive period as no official approach was made for either party. While there may be truth in the allegation, Reardon fails to mention that McIntosh was in fact already a paid member of staff with CRFC Ltd and that the ‘poaching’ of Dicomidis was within the working notion of the regional step-ladder and is the reason they fund Pontypridd RFC every year."

I reckon it would be fair to say that the Cardiff/Ponty enforced regional relationship is a bit odd and must be very confusing for many. This on top of the current WRU/RRW war, outsiders must wonder WTF. Saying that, i've wondered WTF too for a long time.

http://www.rugbynetwork.net/main/s170/st184631.htm