Supporters' Survey - have your say!

The University of Glamorgan are conducting an in-depth survey of Welsh rugby supporters, with questionnaires being issued, the results of which should give a comprehensive analysis of how the game’s grass roots supporters feel about their loyalties, and the current structure of the game in Wales.

The survey is available to be completed electronically on the Pontypridd RFC website and copies of the questionnaire have also been made available for distribution to fans attending Ponty’s last home league game of the season, and the Welsh Cup semi finals in Cardiff.

Following the major restructuring of the game in Wales five years ago, with the launch of regional rugby and the downgrading of the traditional front line clubs to semi professional status, the views of supporters in reflection of these events are important.

The University of Glamorgan survey is a comprehensive one, with over seventy questions posed, covering a wide range of issues.

Supporters are invited to give ratings on subjects such as:

• The value of local and family ties linked to following a favoured club or region
• The importance of local rivalries
• The impression that rugby fans make in terms of behaviour, of fair mindedness, and in terms of taking pride in wearing their team’s colours
• The importance of club profile in terms of its history and current media coverage
• The likelihood of staying loyal to one club whatever the circumstances

All in all, the results of the survey should give an indication of the way followers of rugby in Wales feel at the moment, reflecting the complexity of the structure of the game below national level, and as such should create a valuable social picture of the way things are, and more importantly, the way things are perceived.

Given the major impact that the introduction of regional rugby has had on Pontypridd RFC, and on rugby in general in the Valleys, supporters are encouraged to make the effort to complete and return the questionnaires.

The University of Glamorgan “Rugby Supporters Questionnaire” can be completed on-line and returned by e-mail to: