Areas incoming KRU administration should focus on to transform fan and player experience

With only three days remaining until the Kenya Rugby Union elections, Mozzart Sport examines some of the areas that the next administration should emphasize on to enhance the game experience for rugby stakeholders.

The incoming leadership is expected to build on the success of their formers; enhancing the speed and flow of the game, and challenge leading figures in the sport including players, coaches, match officials, medics, journalists, and fan engagement experts to think big and think long term as Kenya Rugby looks to grow its audience over the next years.

They should be action-oriented and bring together men and women in the sport to consider moves that could be implemented across fan experience, player experience, and wellbeing.

They ought to take into account suggestions from all stakeholders including journalits, the wider entertainment industry, broadcasters, and fans who are interested in improving the accessibility and comprehension of the sport.

Here are four key areas for the leadership to explore in collaboration with stakeholders.

PLAYING EXPERIENCE

Prioritize on modified rules and coaching strategies, as well constructs such as engagement and fun. The success of a team should be defined not as winning but in terms of enjoyable participation that allows players to develop skills.

Avail key data on players to make it easy for Kenya Cup to publish recorded tries to avoid cases of players complaining about unrecorded tries. The long-term goal should be to have electronic score sheets and updated player details.

Working on securing league sponsors is also key to ensure that players do not go for long periods without pay.

FAN EXPERIENCE

Explore ways technology and broadcast can assist, reach and engage with new audiences. For instance, the fan turnout during the final match pitting Kabras RFC and KCB RFC was an eye-opener to the power of rugby in attracting crowds.

It is such opportunities that the union should capitalize on and secure a league sponsor, and broadcast the matches live. Broadcasting the league will attract more fans and encourage competitiveness within the league.

There is also vast potential in the power of the club's social media accounts in hyping matches, providing official updates, and engaging content to keep the fans posted.

Loyal fans on the other hand occasionally purchase club merchandise such as jerseys, hats, scarves, all which generate revenue for the club. The positive energy that they bring to the venues during matches is critical in motivating the players to perform to their best.

OFFICIATING EXPERIENCE

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There has been a recent outcry from coaches and players on what they termed ‘poor officiating’. There have also been complaints that referees are struggling with some rules in the contact situation, and are easily influenced by the crowds or experienced players.

Encourage collaborations between coaches, players, and the union to help develop referees. Also conducting refresher courses for referees from time to time could be a small price to a better future.

They should explore the use of emerging technology as a means of removing subjectivity from some referee decision-making areas.

WELFARE

They should double investment in player welfare, including collaborating with a variety of scientific institutions to further study and comprehend the impact of head injuries. This calls for additional, focused investments in research and technology.

Additionally, they ought to encourage continued focus on smart mouthguards to gather essential player workload data, reflecting individualized approach to injury reduction.

IMPROVE WOMEN’S RUGBY

Recognizing both the growth potential and unique nature of women’s rugby, the union should develop strategies that include regional ladies’ tournaments, marketing of ladies’ teams, and regular workshops for women in different facets of the game.

The leadership should talk about improving game flow, welfare, and fan experience in women’s rugby.

COMMUNITY RUGBY

In order to empower as many clubs as possible across the nation, it should have a contemporary, ambitious, and player-welfare focused participation plan. The strategy should outline how the sport will draw in new participants by committing to making it as secure, open, alluring, and pleasurable as possible.

The long-term result will be an increase in the number of rugby players nationwide and numerous strong clubs in various regions.