64 replies to this topic

[Wiltshire Rhino]

As a born and bred southerner, who "discovered" Rugby League in the late 80's/early 90's, I have developed a love for The Greatest Game. So much so that I have no concept how people prefer football, union etc.

So, if money was no problem, how would you grow our sport to become the game it deserves to be?

Personally I'd market the International game as that's how I got into RL. The Wembley double header worked if only for the amount of southern accents there. Plenty of England union shirts too. They would probably attend again (based on the small cross section I talk to) but no Internationals down south this year. Bring on the Original Rugby World Cup!

Edited by Wiltshire Rhino, 11 April 2012 - 06:55 AM.

[bearman]

There is no doubt that a major overhaul is required and therein lies the problem.
If there is a radical makeover there is a danger of throwing baby out with the bath water.
A good example of the problem we face will happen this weekend. We want our game to be acknowledged as a major player in the British sporting psyche and what do we throw up as our marquee game? -A Yorkshire ex pit village playing a Yorkshire small town.
Now I'm not saying that the game between Featherstone and Castleford hasn't got merit, we can celebrate the history that the clubs and communities have. That's all well and good but does it send out to the sporting public that a major event is taking place his weekend?
Small town teams are limping along with a few hundred old people watching them and trying to relive past glories.
That other code went for a makeover when small towns in the South of Scotland, S. Wales and Ireland formed regional teams. I don't know how their crowds held up but their national exposure certainly increased.
I cannot believe that if we had bought the bullet when the dreaded "M" word was first proposed that given a modicum of success the local communities would not by now have embraced the idea.
I don' t particularly want to bring up the mergers idea on here again cos it's been done to death, it's just that I'm not clever enough to think up anything different ( in my defence if there had been a blindingly obvious alternative it would have been brought to light by now)
The game may not be dying but outside of Superleague it's definitely poorly and isn't exactly blooming at the top level in Europe either.
As I have said I dont have a magic panacea but the fornula we are running with is not setting the world alight.
Please wait before replying to this whilst I get into my bunker.

[GeordieSaint]

In the UK/Europe, a second French side given a licence in the next rotation is a must and London to be given centralised funding and their own stadium built for them. I'd probably give out a bit more central funding to the lower league sides, which should be spent on their business/facilities, not on players. I'd also buy land/build a clubhouse with bar faciltiies for all amateur sides across the country who don't have their own so they don't have to rely on anyone (If I win the Euromillions, I'm going to do this anyway - especially for the non-heartland clubs!).

However, the international game should be the pinnacle of the game and the central driving force to develop it. That means the RLIF becoming a credible organisation body provding funding for smaller nations such as PNG, Tonga etc to tour around the world at the end of each season, especially here in the UK, eligibility rules being heavily tightened and making the SOO open to non-Aussie qualified players in order to stop the drain to the Aussies, who need to take the international game seriously.

[l'angelo mysterioso]

a pie and pea supper is always a winner in my experience.

[nadera78]

In the UK/Europe, a second French side given a licence in the next rotation is a must and London to be given centralised funding and their own stadium built for them. I'd probably give out a bit more central funding to the lower league sides, which should be spent on their business/facilities, not on players. I'd also buy land/build a clubhouse with bar faciltiies for all amateur sides across the country who don't have their own so they don't have to rely on anyone (If I win the Euromillions, I'm going to do this anyway - especially for the non-heartland clubs!).

However, the international game should be the pinnacle of the game and the central driving force to develop it. That means the RLIF becoming a credible organisation body provding funding for smaller nations such as PNG, Tonga etc to tour around the world at the end of each season, especially here in the UK, eligibility rules being heavily tightened and making the SOO open to non-Aussie qualified players in order to stop the drain to the Aussies, who need to take the international game seriously.

Agree with that pretty much word for word.

[l'angelo mysterioso]

Agree with that pretty much word for word.

me too

[Fax1978]

I think the correct seeds are being sown by attempting to expand the game both domestically (in Britian), throughtout Europe, Africa, accross the Atlantic, scandanavia etc.

The problem is that RL does not have the resources to fund this battle on all fronts and more importantly sustain it.

What you end up with it a very very slow process of organic growth and development by a few highly committed and passionate individuals with limited central assistance by virtue of the fact they have limited resources themselves.

It also doesnt help when you have some of these nations squandering what little help they get i.e. the Kumuls recent spending spree.

For my 2p worth... I would continue with this organic growth internationally (its the only option we have until a big spender invests in the game or a huge ramp up in our corporate sponsorship portfolio).

Domestically I would continue with the idea of including the 4 new teams in champ 1 expanding the appeal and the personel playing the game will have knock on impacts of potententially increasing fan bases and sourcing more and ultimately better quality players. I am not naive to think that simply more players means better players but producing more players presents merely the opportunity it is up to the systems and cultures in place to make the raw materials into quality players but you need them to pick up a rugby ball in the first instance to start the process. Down the line this would ultimately hopefully lead to a stronger international side and domestic comp.

The only major shakeup I would look into would be at the top level. Some people may not like to hear it but there are too many SL teams condensed into too small an area, West Yorkshire. Cas, Wakey, Leeds, Brad and Huddersfield and a second tier of Halifax, Fev, Batley, Dews, Hunslet, Keighley etc. It is a remarkable feat of these teams to consistantly produce competetive homegrown players to fill their and each others teams.

But tbh of the current crop only Leeds, Hudds and naother (would have said Brad if not for current issues) should form a top tier west yorks triangle of SL clubs this is enough. The other clubs would drop down to form a very strong semi professional (possibly in time fully professional) Championship Licencing should be kept for at least another 2 rounds after which a 1 up 1 down P&R could be introduced if the business cases for submission became good enough as not to be ignored. The current second teir of teams really do punch a bove their weight in relation to player production and retention but lets be honest if a SL club comes knocking the young talent goes we are already in a position as being feeder clubs to some extent lets formalise the agreement to provide this service but ensure their is always proper remuneration provided to the lower level clubs or agreement to dual reg / loan back the players etc, its already happening lets govern it properly.

Of the two places free'd up would give Toulouse a chance due to the possible benifits to the international and French game and as a more drastic change introduce the Skolars to SL with central funding and backing (and therefore a share of revenue centrally) for both them and the Broncos. Like it or not London is of such important strategic significance it cannot but always is underestimated the game must have a foothold here which it has for some time. ut it has been left to effectively drift it needs strong central leadership to focus attention on it is the cultural, financial and political capital of our country it is where decisions are made it is basically where you will ultimately find the major potential corporate sponsors for our game. A sustained marketing approach needs to be taken and should not just be left to the generosity of one backer and a handful of passionate voluneers it must be continuous and sustained pressure on people to attend matches become involved in the club etc not just one off flashes in the pan only after I have seen this happen for a couple of years will I personally judge if London has been a success or failure. Another SL team and real top tier local derby would assist in this process as it would in France. If London really took off its success would have massive implications for the game as a whole and would benefit everyone.

Edited by Fax1978, 11 April 2012 - 09:15 AM.

[nec]

Seek sponsors solely for international game and make sire every nation with verifiable development gets a suitable schedule of matches for the national side. Stop nation hopping and institute rules that work whilst providing enough opportunities for progression to keep players choosing smaller nations.

[Jimmythewarrior46]

I would like to see the game grown in the uk, ireland and france before the rest of europe. Getting the grass roots sorted first and then build up from there. Another french team in sl is a must as well

[Errol Stock]

As a born and bred southerner, who "discovered" Rugby League in the late 80's/early 90's, I have developed a love for The Greatest Game. So much so that I have no concept how people prefer football, union etc.

So, if money was no problem, how would you grow our sport to become the game it deserves to be?

Personally I'd market the International game as that's how I got into RL. The Wembley double header worked if only for the amount of southern accents there. Plenty of England union shirts too. They would probably attend again (based on the small cross section I talk to) but no Internationals down south this year. Bring on the Original Rugby World Cup!

What a great OP..

Agree that Internationals are of utmost priority to enable growth and raise profile - but have always had a theory on what we need to do..

My opinion is based on raising a rugby mad child who has played from aged 3.5 to now (16) and switched codes at 14. Here are my observations;

Its far easier to access football at 4 years old than RL - therefore its the determination of parents rather than help from within the grass roots admin that ensures a young player flow.

The BARLA / RFL split remains a huge detriment to the growth and unification of the game

I experienced huge disparity (a) within the RL club son played for and ( b ) the admin of the leagues. Its not a pleasant experience!

I experienced a very professional, unified approach to the running of the amateur RU club he now plays for - this came as a shock!

Main thrust of my point is (and what I would do) is focus on the encouragement and growth of children into the game on a national level - I think of children as seeds that will feed into International RL.

I would like to see more involvement, support and structure provided by the RFL further down the pyramid to raise the administration quality to match that in the other code.

The more people play the game - the more competition there is and the more chances we have of capturing this talent and bringing it through.

I believe if we can get to this stage - we should be making England selection a headache and not as now - obvious choices in each postion.

If the coach has 3/4 players vying for each position of the 17 - then we will be somewhere near a break through.

I fully appreciate that things are improving and there are some very exciting prospects spread across the current team set - but there remains a shortage of (enough) quality to really challenge to roos..

And so the loop continues back to number of teams in SL etc..

I firmly believe that the kids and the volume of kids must grow and stay in the game long term - and it needs to be very easy, enjoyable and nurtured.

If we can get a working model here and expand that into Europe, Ireland and more - all the better.

Having said all that - and at risk of being shot down for thinking everything Australian is great - they do already have a working, copyable (and improvable) model that seems to be achieving all I have set out above!

[nec]

The point about the role of the community club is absolutely vital with regard to getting and keeping young people involved with the clubs/game. We need a professional approach from people that have the best interests of the game at heart and protect newcomers against bullying and attempted ostracism. Many of you will say, "if they are going to be successful they will need to be strong enough to put up with a bit of ribbing from other kids", the reality is that kids feel protected from this at most schools and at other clubs in other sports - if this is not taken seriously then it is obvious to parents. All this is part of the ethos of the club, if they are dedicated to bringing new people into the game this shines through; if however they create a siege mentality and dedicate themselves to success above all - this will drive away many potential players.

Those clubs need to be supported by professional people from the RFL, getting help providing appropriate insurances and given a fixture list that keeps players involved throughout the season at a sensible level. If the club is capable of moving up a division this should be encouraged, but failure at a higher level should be a trigger for increased support to avoid players and administrators being lost from the sport.

[Fax1978]

Having said all that - and at risk of being shot down for thinking everything Australian is great - they do already have a working, copyable (and improvable) model that seems to be achieving all I have set out above!

Agree with post. The Aussies have an effective and very structured pyramid system in place to funnel talent through to the professional sides. What they don't have which is unique it seems to British psyche is the same parochial, traditionalist 'my village team deserves this that and the other' attitude. They see their professional sides and national side as the pinnacle of their sport and as long as they are producing the goods on the pitch using the systems in place then supporters, sponsors etc are happy. Over here we have clubs, my own included, who believe it is their right to be playing at the top tier regardless of the facts and ultimately to the detriment of the game. We even have some of the top amateur clubs with the same attitude towards the local semi and fully professional clubs the with the correct structure in place and governance around it these top teams could harness the passion, drive and talent at amateur clubs instead of everyone pulling in opposite directions.

The sooner the amateur game is brought fully under the banner of the RFL the better IMO BARLA have done a fantastic job from where amateur RL was in the 70's to the healthy state they are in today but they game at the lower levels needs to be progressed and you cannot do that with factions at war with each other. Professionalism and quality begins from the bottom up local teams need to be more firmly aligned with local professional and semi professional clubs under a common banner of governance.

The only way any of this is going to happen is with strong, trustworthy and transparent central governance / leadership and I hope the next leader is appointed in this mould I am quite worried though that it may turn out to be Mr Woods or Rimmer either would be a waste of time.

[Red Willow]

I think part of the problem is evident in Bearman's post.

If this weekend's game between Cas and Fev was football, all you would hear was the romance of the cup, a giant killing is possible etc. we run down the game at every chance.

I think we need the structure domestically and the french should be working on that in france not expecting a licence for a team that hasn't yet got it's structure in place.

personally the money should be spent on getting all the bodies to strive for the same aims. The local amateur game should feed the next level and the clubs should receive some reward for the coaching they provide. Next the semi professional game should see reward for their hard work when the SL clubs sign their best talent.

I'd like to see some new blood in Red hall stop the old boy network and I include reffing in this.

The lower leagues should have help to market the game with experts on hand.

I hope the top tier can help the lower leagues and a gradual expansion from the North filling the gaps to London and Wales wopuld benefit the profile of the game better than Toulouse.

The Aussies should be expanding into NZ and the Islands and the French given help to further the game to make internations great. Look how Union dealt with Italy.

[roughyed48]

Start in league 2 and work your way up ?? !!

[nec]

Start in league 2 and work your way up ?? !!

So the fans of clubs in Championship 1 (which I believe is the correct term) can slag you off for bringing no away fans and being too far away from their particular northern town?

[Northern Sol]

In the UK/Europe, a second French side given a licence in the next rotation is a must and London to be given centralised funding and their own stadium built for them. I'd probably give out a bit more central funding to the lower league sides, which should be spent on their business/facilities, not on players. I'd also buy land/build a clubhouse with bar faciltiies for all amateur sides across the country who don't have their own so they don't have to rely on anyone (If I win the Euromillions, I'm going to do this anyway - especially for the non-heartland clubs!).

Wonderful - the only snag being that there is no money to pay for it, but aside from that, a great bit of thinking.

[Northern Sol]

So the fans of clubs in Championship 1 (which I believe is the correct term) can slag you off for bringing no away fans and being too far away from their particular northern town?

Why should that spoil your enjoyment of the game?

[Lobbygobbler]

We need a second French team ASAP, but also need a Welsh team or two and maybe some new clubs in SL soon

3up/down between SL and The cc - it is the only way to get new clubs in SL in a reasonable timeframe. Perhaps the top promoted club could get a 1 year stay of execution

The Frech teams should be protected but the Welsh teams should get promoted the old way (wgich they would anyway with the 3up model

[The Art of Hand and Foot]

You need to be more specific! Expansion/grow??? In numbers of clubs or participants or do mean geographically? In my opinion, to do the latter you need to do the former. Growing the clubs in the traditional areas will allow a natural growth in non traditional areas. Natural expansion not forced is my opinion.

[nec]

Why should that spoil your enjoyment of the game?

If you don't think that receiving constant abuse for these 'sins' is an effective way to welcome new clubs, players and spectators you may be surprised to learn it gets frustrating very quickly. Rl fans can be knowledgeable and witty, they can also be vindictive and petty - particularly when in groups of drunken blokes.