212 replies to this topic

[tim2]

Is the system of having elite clubs failing the game and are we/will we be losing the late developers because of the elite system leaving club sides so short of players?

Yes

[gillmeister]

Yes

Definately, and the problem is that outside of the Pennine League the other leagues are vulnerable to losing there best teams and players to clubs in the NCL. The whole emphasis of the game needs to be on participation, if enough people play the game the talent will rise to the top naturally

[TaxiEgg]

Elite programs damaging the community game no that cant be right must be other reasons

[Marauder]

Elite programs damaging the community game no that cant be right must be other reasons

I don't believe this has anything to do with which side of the fence you sit on, it's about keeping kids playing and the problem at the moment seems to be how long can clubs hang about waiting for the system to work in the summer or should I say how long do you persevere before the damage by the system becomes irreparable for some clubs.

[TaxiEgg]

Thats my biggest worry and its not me over reacting , the game is being driven down a pathway which puts the need of the community clubs last . We get all the spin and carressing of ego,s to which i,m sure the RFL send all their employees on a course to implement, and some swallow and stick their chests out .

When the heartlands of rugby league begin to suffer then surely its time for all of us to drop the " i,m all right Jack attitude " and look at the bigger picture. We need all areas of the game to be strong for it to survive and prosper.

[yanto]

Is the system of having elite clubs failing the game and are we/will we be losing the late developers because of the elite system leaving club sides so short of players?

Without the grassroots then the elite players will not come through.

[yanto]

Bit of food for thought .... I was brought up on the game in the late 70's,signed pro at 18 years old.
Back then the backbone of the amateur game was BARLA who at the time had "Saved Rugby league" due to the fact that the RFL in those days didnt give a toss.
Now are we heading once again to the same split in the game ??Sorry another split??

I am no longer involved in the UK but what I see is the RFL pushing everyone into a corner that some long established amateur clubs are rebelling against.

Its ok for the guys who have just come into the game in the last ten years to say we are all right jack and the game is growing nationwide,but when you see an established club like Broughton Red Rose,with a lot of history of producing the RFL with elite players (Les and Peter Gorley the most famous) folding, then questions need to be asked about the future direction of the game at "Community"level.

[gillmeister]

Bit of food for thought .... I was brought up on the game in the late 70's,signed pro at 18 years old.
Back then the backbone of the amateur game was BARLA who at the time had "Saved Rugby league" due to the fact that the RFL in those days didnt give a toss.
Now are we heading once again to the same split in the game ??Sorry another split??

I am no longer involved in the UK but what I see is the RFL pushing everyone into a corner that some long established amateur clubs are rebelling against.

Its ok for the guys who have just come into the game in the last ten years to say we are all right jack and the game is growing nationwide,but when you see an established club like Broughton Red Rose,with a lot of history of producing the RFL with elite players (Les and Peter Gorley the most famous) folding, then questions need to be asked about the future direction of the game at "Community"level.

I think that the problem is that the amateur game is now very divided. Its elitism all round. The RFL want there future stars and BARLA want outdated county championships and tours when the home front needs to be addressed!

The RFL are getting new leadership and maybe its time there was a fresh slate at BARLA aswell but I can only see this getting worse in the short term

[Marauder]

Without the grassroots then the elite players will not come through.

Is the RFL's plan to ID the elite as early as possible through the English schools & Uni's then direct the chosen few towards the elite academies, this way it will totally cut of amateur clubs.

[TaxiEgg]

Gillmeister you are spot on we need a wholesale change of mindset and direction, BARLA could start by taking the bull by the horns and setting up a think tank especially at Youth and junior to at least try and address the current problems and its no good just blaming the RFL we have to come up with solutions to the problems. We have had nothing at all in the NW for over four years in terms of leadrership and direction from the Board which the RFL have capitalised on almost unchallenged .

We need fresh faces on the board with modern ideas to take the game forward , and the challenge for the board is to realise this and wake up and smell the coffee.

[clarky1975]

Gillmeister you are spot on we need a wholesale change of mindset and direction, BARLA could start by taking the bull by the horns and setting up a think tank especially at Youth and junior to at least try and address the current problems and its no good just blaming the RFL we have to come up with solutions to the problems. We have had nothing at all in the NW for over four years in terms of leadrership and direction from the Board which the RFL have capitalised on almost unchallenged .

We need fresh faces on the board with modern ideas to take the game forward , and the challenge for the board is to realise this and wake up and smell the coffee.

I am involved in a junior club in Wigan and today we recieved this from Barla so it looks like they are doing something


FAO – Club Secretary

Dear Sir/Madam

I am writing to formally invite your club to meet with BARLA representatives at 1.00pm Saturday 8th September 2012 at Leigh East ARLFC, Leigh Sports Village, Ledgard Ave, WN7 4GY. The meeting is to discuss the recent press releases and proposed new league for Junior and Youth teams from the ages of U13’s – U18’s in the North West that will operate as a BARLA member league within a traditional season from September through to May each year.

BARLA have been receiving regular feedback from member clubs raising concerns over the existing March – November season and the detrimental outcomes that are being experienced and consequently causing understandable anxiety for the long term welfare of some age groups, teams, clubs and the Youth and Junior game as a whole.

These numerous concerns coupled with the official confirmed stance of the NWC Youth & Junior Leagues of being fully committed too and remaining with a March – November season require BARLA in the best interests of its member clubs and the Youth and Junior game to provide an alternative and ensure that we do not lose players, teams or entire clubs over the coming months or seasons as a result of there being no current option to play outside of the existing RFL endorsed March – November season.

It is important to state that BARLA are still committed to promoting the Community Board policy and still endorse a summer based competition, however BARLA also realise that it is imperative we listen to what our members are advising us and wish for them to be happy and committed in whichever season they would like to participate in, as such both BARLA and the RFL understand that there is no “one season suits all”. Consequently and in keeping with the four season’s ethos BARLA are prepared to offer another option for those clubs that consider it would be beneficial for them to participate in a more traditional season throughout the months from September – May.

Further details of BARLA’s proposal to offer a new innovative and constructive alternative format are outlined within the attached document along with an example draft fixture schedule for a shortened season starting in 2012-13 and a full schedule for 2013-14.

BARLA would be appreciative of your attendance on the 8th September and would ask that should your club be looking to attend, confirmation is sent via e-mail at your earliest convenience prior to 1.00pm on Thursday 6th September to secretary@barla.org.uk

Yours in sport,


Roger Fagge
BARLA Administrator

[Marauder]

BARLA Constitution, Bye-Laws and Cup Rules

2 - Objects of the Association shall be:-

(a) That the game be played and controlled by amateur players, Clubs and Officials

(b ) To foster, develop, extend and govern amateur Rugby League Football in Great Britain

Very important

Edited by Marauder, 24 August 2012 - 03:27 PM.

[gillmeister]

BARLA Constitution, Bye-Laws and Cup Rules

2 - Objects of the Association shall be:-

(a) That the game be played and controlled by amateur players, Clubs and Officials

(b ) To foster, develop, extend and govern amateur Rugby League Football in Great Britain

Very important

Do BARLA in there current format meet those objects??

[GeordieSaint]

Do BARLA in there current format meet those objects??

Is there any truth to BARLA turning down an offer to run the tier 4 leagues outside the North a few years ago?

[bowes]

Is there any truth to BARLA turning down an offer to run the tier 4 leagues outside the North a few years ago?

Assume that's a typo for inside? Basically yes as they in theory still run the Cumberland League. I think in Lancashire the main reason they didn't was ill health of one of the Girvins who run the NWCL so they only felt they could run one league. Yorkshire seems to have more animosity.

[gillmeister]

Assume that's a typo for inside? Basically yes as they in theory still run the Cumberland League. I think in Lancashire the main reason they didn't was ill health of one of the Girvins who run the NWCL so they only felt they could run one league. Yorkshire seems to have more animosity.

I think that GS means outside Bowes with the implication being that BARLA didnt want to govern outside of the three traditional counties??

[Marauder]

Do BARLA in there current format meet those objects??

A lot more than the RFL who seem to only care for the elite end of the scale.

[Marauder]

Is there any truth to BARLA turning down an offer to run the tier 4 leagues outside the North a few years ago?

It's true that BARLA gave the teams outside the heartlands exactly the same self govern as the RFL have just allowed the RFL, the difference is BARLA had no finance and the RFL have withdrawn theirs after capturing the market to concentrate on the NCL & elite side of the amateur game.

[GeordieSaint]

I think that GS means outside Bowes with the implication being that BARLA didnt want to govern outside of the three traditional counties??

Yes, I meant outside.

[gillmeister]

A lot more than the RFL who seem to only care for the elite end of the scale.

The current BARLA board only care about tours and the county championships etc there "elite" which is why the games in a mess