Lions Supporter to Supporter

I am a 53 year old Lions rugby supporter residing in George Western Cape. I follow the Lions Rugby union matches on radio 2000 and RSG because I cannot afford DSTV, and I believe this makes me one of the biggest rugby supporters in South Africa. I am forwarding this letter in support of the Management and players of the rugby union

All teams whether they are good or average have their supporter’s base that attends all of their rugby games and some even follow their team where-ever they play. But in this letter I would like to concentrate on the Lions Rugby Union. According to me there are 2 bases of supporters. Number 1 is the true supporter that stands behind his team in win and loose situations. Number 2 is the winning supporters, they only support if the team is winning . Since middle last year with the good results in the Currie Cup the Lions supporter base has grown tremendously and the team felt this support and playing for their supporters. Against all odds the Currie Cup were held up by the Lions and thousands of cheering Lions Fans and Supporters roamed the streets.

But then came the Kings saga. The EP Kings are guaranteed a place in the Super 15 for 2013. Is this money and influence talking or is the real valid reason for this announcement?. Is Money lately the reason for entering competitions or is sport and performance still the main decider? It is difficult for us as supporters to understand why this decision was made by SARU. Does the person that supports the game and pays the money not have any say in any matter? Everybody laughed when Doc Danie Craven said these words “When professionalism enters the sport arena the real sportsmanship disappears”

I believe all of these factors do influence the performance of the rugby administrators and the rugby players. If there is no goal to play for why give your best.

I call upon the real supporters of The Lions rugby union and The South African Rugby public to show their support in a decent manner. Stop all these mud smearing campaigns in the media and around the braaivleis fires. Show your team the support they need whether they are on a winning streak or on a losing streak. Let’s act like real gentlemen and not like sport hooligans. Show your real support and rather send emails of encouragement and support to Mr. De Klerk and Mitchell and ensure them of your real support. We, as supporters, don’t really know or understand in what position or crisis these management personnel are and they don’t need our moans or groans to distract them from their work. They have been employed because they have the skills and the knowledge for their respective positions. If you believe you can do a better job ,  why didn’t you qualify yourself and applied for these positions?. If you are a better player than any of the team the why haven’t you packed out your boots and started to practice?.

Come on Rugby Supporters show us your real support and prove to the South African public that you care about South African Rugby