Bruce Craig having a positive effect on Bath Rugby
Coaches and players at Bath Rugby have agreed that the hands-on approach of owner Bruce Craig is having a positive effect on the club and team.
Craig is often seen walking around on the pitch after the final whistle of a match and even gave a team talk in the player huddle after the 12-11 loss to Biarritz in the Heineken Cup.
Craig has a solid background in sport having studied physical education and sports science at Loughborough university before moving to France in 1987 where he played for Racing Metro in the French leagues.
His honest and open approach seems to be welcomed by one and all.
This can have a very positive effect across a number of areas for the club. However, pundits and fans have always traditionally agreed that the owner of a club should take the back seat and allow the qualified
coaches to do their jobs.
Positive effect on the club
Craig's approach will have a positive effect on the club because it will go a long way to easing the pressure the players are under. The owner has put a lot of money into Bath and will eventually want
some reward.
However, if the players and coaches see this very person walking from player to player after a game, praising the levels of effort and commitment then it takes a lot of this pressure away.
The club and players know that the owner is an approachable person. Some individuals will have ideas and plans on how Bath can get better and develop as a rugby club. Craig has said all along that he will
not close his door on anyone at the club.
"Bruce came into the huddle and complimented the guys on their effort [after the Biarritz defeat]. He is supportive of what we are trying to do on the rugby side of things but at the same time he wants
this club to be not just one of the European giants but the European giant," said defence coach Brad Davis.
Negative effect on the club
There is always the chance that something like this could end up having a negative effect on the club. There are more experienced coaches at Bath in better positions to offer advice to players than Craig.
This means that players may start listening to one person and working on something. They will then be told the owner's thoughts, which may contradict something that a coach has already told them.
However, if problems do pop up over the active way Craig manages his club then it will get problems out in the open. These can then be dealt with and Bath can move on quickly despite any negativity this
creates.
"There is definitely ambition in his eyes for this club and that's something that we will match and hopefully take one step further. We have an honest group of players at an honest club and when there's
honest feedback we are happy to hear it, from the supporters up to the chairman," added Davis.
Betting advice
Bath still has a very good chance of being successful on all fronts this season. The club has just secured a 22-6 win over Aironi in the Heineken Cup to keep the European dream going. Back Bath to get
out of their pool along with Biarritz.
The club also has a very good chance of winning the Premiership. Bath is currently in fourth place and should hold a top four slot for the rest of the season. This will put Bath in the title play-off matches
where anything can happen.
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