24 replies to this topic

[HappyDave]

What is Saying Tim, Dave and others have worked hard and long to build a club and the way they have done it is a good blueprint?

I'll tell you what we've done over the last few years,! We've listened, watched & talked to the clubs who have been doing an excellent job in building their clubs in expansion areas, this is mainly because of our location and similarities with these clubs.

I apologise, Marauder, I thought it was a dig at clubs in 'expansion' areas.

Really good points Tim. I'd like to hope that teams would be willing to travel outside of their 'Region' but sadly some teams just don't travel, which is a real shame. Although some 'non-travelling' teams do turn things around which is really good to see.

[HappyDave]

So, how would you 2 go about breathing new life into 'non-Heatland' areas, especially the South West/West Country?

[tim2]

So, how would you 2 go about breathing new life into 'non-Heatland' areas, especially the South West/West Country?

I'm not sure there's much that can be done from the outside other than offer central support and advice, given that the funding has been drastically cut. We can't realistically spend money persuading rugby union players to get fit in the summer that could be spent getting more 6-7 year olds playing the game in, say, Yorkshire. It might seem harsh, but for the long term good of the game we have to maximize the number of players who have rugby league as their first choice sport.

If someone from, for example, Exeter, came with a plan to establish a local (radius 30-40 miles) RL programme for 6-10 year olds backed by a significant slice of funding (commercial and non-commercial) with a view that in 10-15 years they would be able to put together a strong nationally competitive Open Age side linked perhaps to the University underpinned by a local junior league playing a full season of games then I'd listen to that. You may need to find a millionaire to back it, and one who didn't just want to start a semi-pro or pro side straightaway so they could sit in the Director's box eating lobster.

[tim2]

P.S. I know they will never eat lobster at an RL ground, but they might think that's what it's like.

[HappyDave]

P.S. I know they will never eat lobster at an RL ground, but they might think that's what it's like.

Haha.

I wish that would happen.

Having said that the Youth leagues in Bristol and Glos, plus Filton Academy's Rugby League program, seem to be going great guns.