Done that
Ron Walden (29)
All Rugby players play Rugby because they enjoy the game .I think to call the 3rd and 4th graders the heart and soul of the club does a great injustice to the lion's share of 1st and 2nd Grade players that know that professional rugby is beyond them but play that level to challenge themselves and to see just how far they can go.
They don't do it for cash or accolades but because they love the challenge of playing a good standard of the game.
But to say that 1st grade players (& some 2nd graders ) are not influenced /enticed/motivated by money is being a little naive.
How many 1st grade players (& some second graders) are not paid to play for their club.
Compare this to the 3rd & 4th graders who get no money, but still challenge themselves each week/year, & take just as much pride in turning out for their club.
These days there is quite a bit of player movement between the clubs ,& what proportion of these players are 3rd & 4th graders ?
It's not unreasonable to equate this with the measure of club loyalty which each player shows.
Many of the "characters" in each club can be found in the lower grades .
To lose them is to lose much of the heart & soul & spirit which drives each club & is a significant part of each clubs lifeblood.