SA Rugby dominates the game on paper

My first piece on the awards features the winner of the Award for Innovation in Magazine Publishing: Philip Tyler Trophy.

This is for the publication that is most innovative in its approach to any sector. This may be a new publication or one that has made changes to meet the needs of a section of the market.

The publications that earned high commendations were Cape etc from Inyati Publishing, Femina from Associated Magazines and Little People from the Johnnic stable.

There were some shouts and boos for the bridesmaids but the announcement of the winner was greeted by cheers and prolonged applause.

SA RUGBY which is published by Highbury Monarch Communications earned the award by relaunching with a vengeance in April this year.

The judges stressed the challenge that faced Highbury when they had to turn around a publication that was essentially a mundane 'fan mag" and make it a serious read for the broader rugby public.

One of the immediate appeals of this magazine is their usage of a rich photographic layout. The reader is left feeling close to the actual field and these pictures will make many wallpapers in boys rooms and clubhouses.

For the discerning rugby fan the attraction lies in the choice of content. Articles ranging from a lawyers viewpoint on spectator violence to predictions and background on the Boks current European tour make for fascinating reading.

The stories on players from other countries are also a much needed additive given that most of our sports media loves to exclude non Boks. On the technical side Dave Waterston, former Bok technical adviser, gives a crash course on the Sliding Door Defence system.

There is also some fetching eye candy with the Sharks girls losing their shirts in a pic that is destined for perhaps many more walls than the rugby pictures.

As far as price goes the R15.95 asked of the buyer is not extravagant falling perhaps around mid table between give away and rather borrow or read at CNA.

Jokes aside these guys have turned this mag into something that South African rugby fans can be proud of even if the players are not keeping to the winning script at the moment.

Sometimes rugby matches are won on paper and not on grass.