The sight of Raiders’ board members at consecutive training sessions is evidence enough that change is in the wind, muses TIM GAVEL

APPARENTLY, one of the things to come out of the Raiders’ recent review into last season was a suggestion that the board needs to be more visible and known to the players.

It’s a common theme at football clubs, where the board rarely comes into contact with the players; it makes sense to have a closer relationship given the board makes decisions that have a day-to-day impact on the players.

If the board members are on hand to see first-hand what is needed, they will make evidence-based decisions.

Another aspect of the review, which is long overdue, is the need for the club to be more open to its members.

The Raiders are looking to implement a regular e-mail from coach David Furner because upporters felt they were not getting enough information about the logic of team selections.

As part of the new approach, the Raiders plan to be more engaged with the Canberra community and their supporters. After all, the club needs people to come to their games and financially back them, especially when they are struggling.

Like the Raiders, the Brumbies didn’t need a review to tell them that they needed to forge closer ties with the Canberra community.

There was a distinct feeling of “us and them” between the Brumbies and the community last season.

The sacking of coach Andy Friend and the poor season exacerbated the situation with a sense of mistrust hovering.

As a commentator covering the Brumbies since their establishment, last season was, far and away, the most difficult.

After a couple of false starts, the decision to make the contracted players align themselves with a local club is a major step forward.

What it will do is strengthen the local competition. It’s now up to the players to make themselves available. They need to be there for junior registrations and be around to mentor young players coming through, as well as being a figurehead for promotional purposes.

The move to hold a members’ night to hear from the coach and his staff is a definite step in the right direction. It has been held in the past but has only been open to Foundation members.

With the Brumbies and the Raiders, I have a theory that the public will be more understanding when times are tough if they know the players.

It’s far easier to criticise if the critics don’t come into regular contact with those they are criticising.