Chambers and commerce

Last night, Eddie Hemmings managed to say ‘breaking news’ more times in half an hour than Trevor McDonald’s parrot. Amidst the Saints vs. Leeds mudbath, Sky Sports’ commentary team were all excited about the rumours that Castleford are about to sign Dwain Chambers. Or should be that be ‘Drug Cheat’ Dwain Chambers? I swear he must have changed his name by deed poll the amount of times I’ve both read and heard that moniker over the last couple of months.

Of course, where a major element of one’s sport is based around speed and power, clubs are always going to be interested in a sprinter. It’s certainly not the first time rugby league has coaxed track athletes to the game in the hope their exceptional abilities will transfer over; nor will it be the last. Salford have had their fair share of speeders who have made such a switch. The most recent and obvious players were flops, notably Peter Maitland, who may have been able to run 100 metres in under 11 seconds but couldn’t tackle a bag of crisps. However, fast men such as Keith Fielding and Martin Offiah aside (who were already experienced with an oval ball before their pilgrimage to the League code), Wally MacArthur set The Willows alight in the 1950s with his awesome pace and goal-kicking prowess. An outstanding Australian athlete, MacArthur failed to receive national selection and felt ostracised for being an Aborigine. Undetered, he moved to Britain to ply his trade as a professional athlete and a rugby league player—starring for a number of clubs: making an indelible mark at Salford and even more notable for a stint at Rochdale Hornets.

So, what do we think of this (potential) signing? Dwain Chambers is probably the fastest man in Britain at the moment. So maybe, purely from a playing persepective, he’s worth a stab. The experience of recent American football trials—for San Francisco 49ers in 2004 and NFL Europe in 2006—could go either way. On one hand, he must have a feel of the collision. On the other hand, apparently, he wasn’t the best at catching the ball*—an essential requirement for a winger, certainly in today’s game.

However, even if Chambers doesn’t succeed in RL, it’s a noticable PR scoop for Castleford and a potential moneyspinner for both parties. You can certainly question the motives of the move: Chambers isn’t allowed to earn money in athletics yet is reported to owe the IAAF £100,000 in prize money—won whilst suspected of taking a banned substance. Whilst Castleford, like every other club, will try to shout as loud as they can during the decision making process for a 2009 Super League licence. Perhaps this a shrewd short-term and profitable coup.

Then again, why be so sceptical? Chambers has, alledgedly, sizeable debts and therefore needs a job. Playing rugby league for a living sure beats slaving away in a ‘proper’ job. Castleford need victories, and need to bolster their squad. A bona fide move par chance? Whatever the reason, the hype machine will be in full effect over the next few weeks and I bet there’ll be interested parties abound if or when Dwain Chambers makes his first foray onto the Super League stage.