In today’s world, the profile of the fun while you are doing it, then so of rugby at a club, you want results
professional rugby player has much the better. there is always that temptation to
certainly risen. However, before “I think a lot of rugby players are buy in the finished article rather
Jonah Lomu, before Jonny associated with Spoon because of than develop your own.
Wilkinson and before Danny that and because of its tradition. “I think that is the one thing that
Cipriani, there was Bill Beaumont. Just because the game has gone has been missing over the last few
Because of his stint as captain on professional does not mean they years and hopefully with the new
a Question of Sport through the have given up on that social deal with the RFU and the clubs,
eighties, Bill was the most responsibility. I think that people that will be addressed.”
recognisable rugby player in the involved in sport are normally good England's next task is the Six
land. Recently he was back in front people, especially team games Nations where Bill is hoping they
of the camera for a celebrity where you have to learn to mix. It show vast improvement from their
episode of the show Cash in the is a good way of renewing autumn internationals. While important to us. We want more
Attic. friendships and keeping in touch.” France continue to be inconsistent and more people to participate and
“Well I don’t think I would class it Apart from running his own despite their superb class, Bill feels appreciate the game.
quite as high as Buckingham Palace textile company and raising money that Wales will once again be the “We are trying to get more and
but I certainly enjoyed doing it,” for Wooden Spoon, Bill remains side to beat and with Lions places more multi-purpose pitches erected
laughed Bill. heavily involved in rugby as well. up for grabs, Ireland and Scotland in developing countries where the
“I had never seen it before so He has represented Lancashire on will be also be extremely physical biggest problem is not having the
they sent me a DVD and it looked the RFU council, England on the and hard-fought games. facilities to play on. If you look at
like fun. All the money I raised was IRB council as well as being director "A Lions tour always adds a bit of the latest generation of all-weather
going to go to charity and of the Six Nations and manager of extra spice to the Six Nations. I was pitches, well they are pretty good -
obviously I nominated Wooden the British and Irish Lions to New involved in the last Lions tour to like what they use in Hong Kong
Spoon. Zealand in 2005. New Zealand as the tour manager where they play one game after
“It was quite interesting to take As a former player and but because I am now vice the other. If we can get more of
part though - although the administrator, Bill is perfectly placed chairman of the International those out there, then that will be
programme will run for about 45 to give his views on England’s Rugby Board I have had to give up massive for rugby and would just
minutes, it took about three days present state, and like a good all my other posts in rugby. I will be open up the whole game.
to shoot. It was great fun going forward knows exactly what is purely a bystander in South Africa “Just think of the Indian sub-
through all my stuff - at one stage I needed to sort out the situation. this time round. Being part of the continent and central Africa where
thought that it should be called “What England need are a few IRB, I am meant to be partial but I access to good pitches is really
‘crap in my garage’ rather than big lads,” explained Bill. “I think think my loyalties will be erring holding back the expansion of the
cash in the attic!” that is what we are short of at the towards the Lions." game.”
Bill has been a long serving moment. England have always had As he mentioned before Bill is It is hard not to become excited
member of Wooden Spoon having a lot of big strong front five now vice chairman of the IRB and about the expansion of rugby after
come to it through his rugby roots forwards, however, there seems to two of their objectives are very high speaking to Bill Beaumont. His
and today is the Honorary President be a bit of a dearth of them at on his list. enthusiasm and passion are
of Spoon Lancashire. present. The first is obviously to continue infectious and the future of our
“Well I really got involved “We seem to have a generation expanding the game globally and game seems secure in his massive
because of its rugby links,” of players at the moment who have the second is getting Argentina hands as he explains his rugby
explained Bill. not developed and unfortunately playing in a competition. philosophy.
“I knew a lot of people who and that is what England is missing “Argentina have to get into a “I really believe that the game of
supported Spoon and it just at the moment. regular competition,” added Bill. rugby can help you gain so much
seemed natural to join in. I played a “I have great respect for Phil “My personal thoughts are that in life,” explains Bill.
lot of rugby with Tony Richards, Vickery who I think wears his heart they are a Southern based team. "Take social skills for instance - I
Spoon’s Deputy CEO, in the on his chest and he has been a Bear in mind at the IRB we look at remember someone saying to me
northwest and I always thought fantastic servant to England rugby. the geographical location on a map that when you play rugby it does
that they had a lot of fun in what It is a pity that we have not got a and it is easy to travel from not matter what religion you are,
they did. few more knocking on the door. Argentina to Australia and New what colour you are or what walk
“That has not changed to this Bill believes that one of the Zealand. South Africa, well the of life you come from. When you
day - raising money is very reasons for that lack of distances there are huge and that pull on that jersey you are all the
important to us, but we have a lot development is because of the does pose a problem. So ideally same.
of fun doing it. It is a brilliant professional era where clubs have joining the Tri-Nations would be the "Rugby also helps you develop
Charity, the people I have met have had to focus on results rather than way forward. discipline - you have got to be
all been fantastic and I really enjoy the growth of local players. With a “But it is difficult when all their disciplined to play it and I just think
being part of Spoon. That is why new deal between clubs and players are playing in Europe. We in life if you look to rugby how
whenever I get asked to nominate country worked out, Bill is hoping don’t want a situation where their clubs come together, how teams
a charity I always go for Spoon that more clubs will look at best players are not playing for come together, well there are
because I can see the tangible developing local talent rather than them because they are all based in lessons to be learnt."
benefits of raising money.” calling in foreign players. Europe. Getting them sorted is one With an ethos like that, it is easy
There are a lot of rugby players “I think now that the clubs and of our major objectives at the to see why Bill Beaumont and
involved in charities - not just the country have got a deal that moment.” Wooden Spoon have such a good
Wooden Spoon and Bill believes can work, hopefully more of our Globally the game of rugby is synergy. Our goal is to continue to
that social responsibility has always English players will get developed,” going from strength to strength but develop the Charity to have a
been strong in the game of rugby. said Bill. Bill is also concerned about getting positive impact on disadvantaged
“I think it is nice to be able to put “Jeff Probyn always used to say the correct facilities to those children throughout the United
something back into the game and that you have to learn your trade developing countries. Kingdom, and with men like Bill
rugby players seem to have that and the best place for that is your “Our aim is to expand and involved, the future for all is very
way of thinking, if you can have club. However, if you are a director develop the game - that is very bright.
Spoonews Winter 2009 19
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