12 replies to this topic

[Mark (Ferret)]

The RFL has been shortlisted for the prestigious ‘Sport Governing Body of the Year’ title at the forthcoming 2011 Sports Industry Awards to be held in central London on May 11.

The Sports Industry Awards, currently in their 10th year, are regarded as the flagship event to celebrate best practice in UK sport.
The RFL has been named alongside The Football League, United Kingdom Athletics and the British Amateur Boxing Association on the shortlist.
“Our shortlisting for the ‘Governing body of the Year’ award is deserved recognition of a lot of hard work by everyone involved in the organisation,” said RFL Chairman Richard Lewis.
“The RFL has grown in both size and stature over recent years and this nomination acknowledges the high quality of the sport’s governance.
“Having recently become the first sports organisation to enter the Stonewall Top 100 Workplace Index and achieving Investors in People status in 2010, we are continuing to show that the RFL is a modern, progressive and forward thinking governing body.”
There was further success for Rugby League after the Co-operative were shortlisted for the ‘Best use of PR in a Sport’ category for their work promoting the Co-operative Championships.
“It’s very pleasing to have been nominated for a Sport Industry Award for our sponsorship of the Co-operative Championships,” said Liz Matkin, Head of Sponsorship for The Co-operative Group.
“We have been working hard, in partnership with the RFL, since 2007 to promote The Co-operative business values alongside the values of the sport and it’s testament to the quality of the relationship we have with the RFL that we have received this recognition.
“In addition we’d like to extend our congratulations to the RFL also on being shortlisted in the category for ‘best governing body’”.

[Red Stripe]

This doesn't really surprise me as, apart from those short listed, there can't many other full time professional governing bodies in this country.

[SRC]

The RFL has been shortlisted for the prestigious ‘Sport Governing Body of the Year’ title at the forthcoming 2011 Sports Industry Awards to be held in central London on May 11.

The Sports Industry Awards, currently in their 10th year, are regarded as the flagship event to celebrate best practice in UK sport.
The RFL has been named alongside The Football League, United Kingdom Athletics and the British Amateur Boxing Association on the shortlist.
“Our shortlisting for the ‘Governing body of the Year’ award is deserved recognition of a lot of hard work by everyone involved in the organisation,” said RFL Chairman Richard Lewis.
“The RFL has grown in both size and stature over recent years and this nomination acknowledges the high quality of the sport’s governance.
“Having recently become the first sports organisation to enter the Stonewall Top 100 Workplace Index and achieving Investors in People status in 2010, we are continuing to show that the RFL is a modern, progressive and forward thinking governing body.”
There was further success for Rugby League after the Co-operative were shortlisted for the ‘Best use of PR in a Sport’ category for their work promoting the Co-operative Championships.
“It’s very pleasing to have been nominated for a Sport Industry Award for our sponsorship of the Co-operative Championships,” said Liz Matkin, Head of Sponsorship for The Co-operative Group.
“We have been working hard, in partnership with the RFL, since 2007 to promote The Co-operative business values alongside the values of the sport and it’s testament to the quality of the relationship we have with the RFL that we have received this recognition.
“In addition we’d like to extend our congratulations to the RFL also on being shortlisted in the category for ‘best governing body’”.

In just over 12 months ......... Crusaders (twice), Wakefield, Whitehaven, Blackpool (for good), Gateshead and Doncaster have gone bust.
Six RFL sanctioned players were deported as illegal immigrants. Championship attendances dropped (again). England got stuffed in the Four Nations (again). The Magic Weekend in Murrayfield was a massive flop (again). The Challenge Cup didn't sell out (again) and the Grand Final didn't sell out.

God help the sports whose governing body weren't shortlisted if the RFL is one of the best !

[Dave W]

What the flamin' 'eck are the "Sport Industry Awards"? I thought to myself (or words to that effect). What exactly IS "The Sport Industry", when it's at home?

So I had a look on the internet and found the "Sport Industry" website.

Taken from that website, I found this gem...

"The Sport Industry Awards, ‘the Oscars of the sports world’ according to both The Observer and The Times, recognise and reward the best the sport business has to offer in marketing, PR, sponsorship, new media, publishing, advertising and design. It is Europe’s largest and most prestigious commercial sport awards. To the 1,200 attendees it is also the most important networking occasion in the sport business calendar."

So nothing to do with sport, or even the running of a sport, but everything to do with fluff, PR, spin, admin and design.

These awards aren't anything to do with how successful a sport is, more how it's being pushed.

Style over substance is what is being rewarded here. That, and it's a nice jolly for the participants and a chance for one and all to schmooze with their braying peers.

Back slaps and trebles all round!

The RFL should romp it.

Edited by Dave W, 09 February 2011 - 05:20 PM.

[barrowtilidie]

they are increasing participation, the youth level of the game is doing alot better, the grass route structure is really strong, the coaching in school is good, so hte are doing better.
At pro level, they are trying there best to get it right, but money talks, and sky are paying the way.

[rod reddy]

they are increasing participation, the youth level of the game is doing alot better, the grass route structure is really strong, the coaching in school is good, so hte are doing better.

Any facts and figures to support these comments Curtly?

At pro level, they are trying there best to get it right, but money talks, and sky are paying the way.

Agree with this part, but their best isn't really good enough.
Think the whole nomination is an almighty pishtake. Hands up who (outside of Red Hall) thinks the RFL do a good job?

[scrumhalf]

regardless of whether they deserve it or not, it can only be a positive for our sport in view of the difficulties there are to get media coverage of the northern game.

[barrowtilidie]

best i could find on the rfl website- increase in amatures playing, not that this is directly because of the rfl,
http://www.therfl.co...gue-flourishing

but this is.
the youth player pathway, allowing players something to aim for, instead of just hoping to be "scouted"
http://www.therfl.co.../player_pathway

and then there is champion schools the worlds biggest rugby league schools tournement
sorry its a bit hard to find, if some statto wants to look at all the data they can but i have a essay to do, due for tommorrow, and not one word wrote yet, so best get cracking

[YOUNG UN]

The RFL has been shortlisted for the prestigious ‘Sport Governing Body of the Year’ title at the forthcoming 2011 Sports Industry Awards to be held in central London on May 11.

The Sports Industry Awards, currently in their 10th year, are regarded as the flagship event to celebrate best practice in UK sport.
The RFL has been named alongside The Football League, United Kingdom Athletics and the British Amateur Boxing Association on the shortlist.
“Our shortlisting for the ‘Governing body of the Year’ award is deserved recognition of a lot of hard work by everyone involved in the organisation,” said RFL Chairman Richard Lewis.
“The RFL has grown in both size and stature over recent years and this nomination acknowledges the high quality of the sport’s governance.
“Having recently become the first sports organisation to enter the Stonewall Top 100 Workplace Index and achieving Investors in People status in 2010, we are continuing to show that the RFL is a modern, progressive and forward thinking governing body.”
There was further success for Rugby League after the Co-operative were shortlisted for the ‘Best use of PR in a Sport’ category for their work promoting the Co-operative Championships.
“It’s very pleasing to have been nominated for a Sport Industry Award for our sponsorship of the Co-operative Championships,” said Liz Matkin, Head of Sponsorship for The Co-operative Group.
“We have been working hard, in partnership with the RFL, since 2007 to promote The Co-operative business values alongside the values of the sport and it’s testament to the quality of the relationship we have with the RFL that we have received this recognition.
“In addition we’d like to extend our congratulations to the RFL also on being shortlisted in the category for ‘best governing body’”.

In all honesty, I think given the other short listed candidates ( Think about it), the RFL should win hands down!

[mick wilson]

It must be good news for the sport though, it would raise the games profile if they win.

The outside world may even notice RL

[Off! Number Seven]

The Sports Industry Awards like so many others are nothing but a bunch of self important, self indulgent, over paid underachievers indulging in some mutual masterbation.

Youth participation figures are falling year on year in the sport, more clubs are in financial difficulties than ever before, the sport is far poorer in capital assets than ever before (a direct result of the RFL's grounds policy), the whole sport is a tower of cards and the RFL are swanning around patting themselves on the back for creating this situation and spinning it to look like progress.

They are pi$$ing down your back and telling you its raining.

[Off! Number Seven]

I pray they do not win. How is it good for the sport to have discriminatory policy validated by giving them an award. Because thats exactly what the RFL are doing, they are discriminating against those clubs who do not fit into the SKY marketing "vision", if this wasn't the case, why the f^&£ would we have Catalan, London and Crusaders in the sport elite competition, none of them have achieved it on merit!

Give them and award???? I'd sack the f^$£!"& lot them!

Edited by Off! Number Seven, 10 February 2011 - 11:33 AM.

[Keith T]

Winning the award will probably justify another 50 grand on Nigel's £200,000 annual salary (plus pension and expenses)!!!!