Tuesday, June 10, 2008

Yeoido Rugby Pitch will be Closed


The hardest thing to do in Korea is to find a place to play rugby



Yesterday, I was going to write an article to say "We need your help to protect the Yeoido Rugby pitch" because the pitch is more frequently used for other public events than rugby, and its surface doesn't seem appropriate for rugby due to stages, cars, and tents on it.

However, I don't have to do it now since the rugby pitch will be closed in August, then a swimming pool will be built on it.

What a shame...!

As you probably know, the Yeoido is a great place to expose rugby to the public, so the KRU has planned to hold its tournaments there to make the public more aware of the sport. But a plan is nothing unless it is conducted or done, and now we even lost the chance.

Seoul Survivors, HRP, and other club teams have used the pitch for their practice, and the Seoul Touch Series have been held there. Moreover, we have planned to hold the touch tournament for Koreans and the touch rugby referee clinic before the ITS. But no more chance to do that there...

Do we have to wander again?

12 comments:

Gang Nam Rugby Union said...

We need more help on this issue as much as possible. You can either write to the mayor of Seoul city, Oh Se-hoon here [http://mayor.seoul.go.kr/04/0401.html]
or let people know about this through your blogs, internet clubs, or, websites.
I believe this Yeoido Pitch means so much to you as well. I am trying to get every single person who support rugby involved and I am so sure that our effort will be worth it. Thank you

TouchnTagnRugby said...

We need a petition to stop this or get them to find another place!

TouchnTagnRugby said...

Start by leaving comments here!!!!

Jaesub Choi said...

I think it could be a turning point if we work together to get them provide us with another place. Let's set up a good strategy.

Louis Galtié said...

Hi,
since this place is gonna be closed, is there anywhere else where we can have a rugby pitch exept Universities, and Incheon ?
That's not good !
What about Uprights ?

Is it possible to have a map "rugby pitch" to be displayed in this blog ?

Natalie Hallemans said...

Another swimming pool? C'mon!! What the city needs is a place to play and grow a popular international sport, not another pool.

A true disappointment if this goes through.

AJoyce said...

Don't close down the pitch!!! It doesn't make sense to close something that people REALLY need. It's hard enough to find decent grass to play on.

Ali McCannell said...

Where else can we find such a great place to play rugby? The rugby community, both foreign and Korean, regularly use that pitch for practice and tournaments. Seoul does not need a pool in that spot, it needs to foster the appreciation of sport and cultural awareness through team work and event participation. I strongly oppose a swimming pool on the Yeouido Pitch.

Barny said...

What a terrible decision.
Seoul really needs to do much more to support the expat community - especially for sports. Otherwise the city will be left behind and will never be a truly modern, global city.

Mel said...

Closing another one of the few grassy areas in the city is an awful idea! Let us have our pitch.

Unknown said...

Seoul is already internationally known as a concrete jungle...good job paving over the little grassy bit you have left for some more concrete. It would be a real shame if this goes through and both the domestic and international rugby communities in Seoul lose their last ground to stand on for another pool. Speaking of which is there not an existing pool merely a couple of kilometers down the river?

Janinel said...

Having little to no knowledge of rugby and having never played the sport, I am still upset by what has been decided by the city of Seoul. During the tournament several weeks ago I was really surprised and pleased with the masssive mix of foreigners and Koreans coming together to share a common interest and have some fun. By shutting down the field they are not only hurting the touch rugby league, but also the friendships and ties that have been maintained throughout the existence of the league.