32 SPORT
DECEMBER.01.2008 SPORT@gairrhydd.COM
IMG ROUNDUP
IMG: the players respond
Alexander Prior voices a player's opinion as IMG looks set to face a backlash from yet another week's cancellations ... An open letter to Trelai County Council dated 25.11.08 To whom it may concern, I am not a massive football fan. I couldn’t name England’s startin g XI. I couldn’t tell you who’s top of the Premier league. I don’t even know what a ‘reducer’ is. But I do like to actually play footba ll, even when more so when I’ve had to pay for it. No-one connected to IMG has kicked a ball for three weeks now, and while conditions are less than perfect, the pitches up at Trelai are easily playable. My captain informed me that the reaso n we are not playing this week, the third week in a row in case you missed its first mentioning, is due to waterlogged pitches. It hasn’t rained since last Sunday morning and it was sunny both Monday, Tuesday and will be tomorrow. Everyone connected with IMG is not expecting an immaculate, Wemb ley-esque pitch every time we take to the field. IMG just wouldn’t be IMG if you weren’t head to toe in mud by the time the final whistle blows, having sprained an ankle due to a pot-hole. This is part of the fun. There were times last year it looked like we’d been involved in the Somme come the end of 90 minutes, and we had a bloody good time in the process. So next time if you’re thinking about cancelling our week’s fun because of a few stray puddles, please think again. I understand that part of the reason for this and previous week’s cancellations is so that the pitches are in better condition for the weekend matches that take place, not involving our university. I presume we are both paying the same amount of money, money which seems ill-spent now we’ve only played three matches since the as to their apparent priority. Matches have had to be moved to Sunda start of term and it’s almost December, so I am confused ys now, which begs the question will these non-IMG teams have their games cancelled on Saturday in order for us to play? I have my doubts. I think I speak for the majority of teams in claiming that it shall not be long before there are crowds of disgruntled players gathered outside the Athletic Union with cries of “Refund, Refund” being heard. Entering and running a team isn’t cheap – the registration fee, kits, balls, nets etc, and if you’re a small squad, the cost can be enormous, and for what? Three games. Hardly seems worth it now. The blame has been falling at the feet of the Union and those responsible for running IMG, somewhat unfairly, and this will unfortunately continue until you as a council decide to act. The council have already ruined our playing surface at Pontcanna for this season and now Trelai is heading the same way. Anyone connected to IMG is happy to play on any kind of pitch, just so long as we get to play. Now, come next Tuesday afternoon when there’s a hint of mud in the goal mouth or there’s no grass on the centre-circle, just think how many disgruntled and now skint students you’ll be letting down for no apparent reason. Trust us when we say that if you’re worried about the state of the pitches, we’ve most definitely played on worse. Yours faithfully, A slightly annoyed IMG Player
Simon Lucey asks what the players think of IMG this season
Chris Moore, Football
: NATALIA POPOVA
"IMG plays a big role in my university life. Compared to last year it is wholly disappointing. It has a lot of potential given the right leadership and ideas, but we pay a lot of money and have seen little return this year. Something needs to change."
Rachel Greenwood, Netball "Something needs to be done about the netball court situation, somebody seems to fall over in every game I'm involved in. I don't know how all the games are going to be played before Christmas because it is behind schedule at the moment and time is running out!"
Sam Moore, Football
Matt Parr, Football
Ben White, Rugby
“I'm a bit worried that so many fixtures have been cancelled, and the weather hardly looks like improving so I'm guessing more will be called off. It's also quite annoying when your game is cancelled after Sunday League teams play on the pitches beforehand.”
"I think the IMG is a shambles, it is my first year doing it and I am disappointed in the organization with regard to the pitches. Cardiff is definitely lagging behind other universities in terms of sports facilities. I think it is a disgraceful calamity."
“It's a real shame that the relationship between the Athletic Union and the rugby captains isn't more productive. Also, this year has been a real let down after the promise of some form of contact tournament last year.”