Last weekend’s Guinness PRO12 Rugby Union Tournament match between the Glasgow Warriors and Leinster Rugby was going to feature the first player to wear a microphone in the history of the tournament and elite rugby overall. But it got postponed due to weather.
Mike Blair, the Glasgow Warrior’s scrum-half, was designated to be the player to wear the microphone. The scrum-half is the position on the team that links forwards and backs on the field. Scrum-halfs must be excellent communicators because they are responsible for directing the forwards and providing the backs with good passes.
Mike Blair is a perfect selection for being the first rugby player to wear a microphone because he is a member of the Glasgow Warriors who are the tournament’s defending champions and because he plays the position that requires the most on-field communication.
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According to the Glasgow Warriors website post, several months were spent working out the technical and management protocols with World Rugby. After testing the equipment, the four rugby unions involved in the PRO12 tournament were granted approval to try the Player Microphone in the Guinness PRO12. The addition of the Player Microphone also required the testing of broadcasts and getting the microphone audio onto the live broadcasts. Broadcast testing began with other rugby players wearing Player Microphones earlier in the season as part of the application to World Rugby. PRO12 Rugby Tournament Director David Jordan said, “The reaction from fans and our clubs was extremely positive.”
Broadcasting audio recordings from the Player Microphone was a decision to help promote fan engagement. PRO12 Rugby Managing Director Martin Anayi believes that the, “innovative coverage will bring viewers closer to the action by being given direct insight into how players communicate on the field.” Anayi stated that PRO12 will successfully incorporate the microphone recordings because, “Broadcasters will be able to record the player communicating with fellow teammates, and using camera tracking, will be able to replay clips showing a rare aspect of a match from a player point of view.”
Players have been wearing microphones and media have been broadcasting the audio with great success in other sports. This success caught the attention of the PRO12 tournament. Anayi mentioned that another reason why they are giving rugby players microphones is that, “this technology has been used to great success in other sports such as American Football and has proved to be hugely popular with fans.” Broadcasting player audio can hopefully grow the tournament and the sport’s popularity.