49 replies to this topic

[deluded pom?]

Canada 24 v USA 28 in front of another cracking attendance of 4,600.


http://www.rugbyleag...-in-a-thriller/

Edited by deluded pom?, 09 September 2012 - 08:11 AM.

[Johnoco]

Any highlights available on Premier or something?

[deluded pom?]

Any highlights available on Premier or something?

Not sure John.

[brooza]

Sounds like a cracker!

[Jim from Oz]

How do they draw such big crowds?

And how have Canada made such incredible progress so quickly?

The cynic in me doubts much of what is coming out of Canada - but would be happy to be proved wrong!

[thirteenthman]

Any highlights available on Premier or something?

Can't see anything on their site about it (although its not exactly user friendly), but I don't think they ever showed the game against the Lebanon did they?

[Spookylish]

How do they draw such big crowds?

And how have Canada made such incredible progress so quickly?

The cynic in me doubts much of what is coming out of Canada - but would be happy to be proved wrong!

What exactly do you doubt? I've been to all of the home games this year and last so can personally vouch for the success. The guys running the CRL are working their backsides off to create interest in the National team so they can use this to build up the domestic game and development programs in schools and universities. The guys out in BC are also doing amazing things to build the game up over there. One thing is certain. There are thousands of brand new rubgy league fans in Toronto and they love their Wolverines. The noise and excitement of the crowd last night was amazing and I can guarantee that the CRL will continue to build on this. The RFL could learn a lot from the CRL.

Edited by Spookylish, 09 September 2012 - 04:46 PM.

[Spookylish]

I know that Premier sports showed the Jamaica game and the Lebanon game but I don't think it always showed up in their scheduling. They should also be showing the USA game. What might help is if you guys could email them to let them know you want to see these games. Also to find out when they are airing. The more interest that is shown, the more likely they are to repeat air them. You don't want to miss this game, it was fantastic. Especially the second half. I couldn't catch my breath!

Edited by Spookylish, 09 September 2012 - 04:44 PM.

[deluded pom?]

How do they draw such big crowds?

And how have Canada made such incredible progress so quickly?

Work, work and a bit more work.

[Futtocks]

Fantastic news. Excellent crowd, too. Canada have made great progress, so let's hope this helps establish a club scene.

[Futtocks]

Match report with plenty of pictures. The author wasn't too impressed with the turnout, but he isn't all that familiar with the game and how early it is in its stage of development in Canada.

[Methven Hornet]

Match report with plenty of pictures. The author wasn't too impressed with the turnout, but he isn't all that familiar with the game and how early it is in its stage of development in Canada.

To be fair to the author of the report, looking at the RLIS' photos there doesn't appear to be over 4 and a half thousand in the ground. Were people hiding from the rain at the beginning, coming in later, or could the official crowd figure be a bit of an over-estimate?

[deluded pom?]

druzik was there and I haven't seen anything from him suggesting the crowd figure announced was in any way inflated.

[druzik]

So there would have been easy close to 1500 in the beer garden which was at the Nth end of the field. They had one side open, that grand stand holds about 5k... people were spread out through it, but if you were to concentrate them all in the one spot I would say it was easy 1/2 full. That is about 4k there... add a smattering of people around the place, you'd be close to the 4675 I would say.

[druzik]

How do they draw such big crowds?

And how have Canada made such incredible progress so quickly?

The cynic in me doubts much of what is coming out of Canada - but would be happy to be proved wrong!

Well I think its because Eric and Corey do the CRL thing 100%. Its what they do, they dedicate their whole time to it. They are out promoting it sitting with sponsors and TV to support the game. They also have the business contacts to drive the sport as well.

If you're willing to do give the time to it you're gonna get the rewards.

Plus I think RL does not have a tarnished reputation in Canada.

[Johnoco]

I know that Premier sports showed the Jamaica game and the Lebanon game but I don't think it always showed up in their scheduling. They should also be showing the USA game. What might help is if you guys could email them to let them know you want to see these games. Also to find out when they are airing. The more interest that is shown, the more likely they are to repeat air them. You don't want to miss this game, it was fantastic. Especially the second half. I couldn't catch my breath!

Done it!

[Spookylish]

To be fair to the author of the report, looking at the RLIS' photos there doesn't appear to be over 4 and a half thousand in the ground. Were people hiding from the rain at the beginning, coming in later, or could the official crowd figure be a bit of an over-estimate?

Canadians never show up for the start of a game. It's just habit I think. It's quite normal for people to be showing up an hour after a game has started, but hockey & basball last around 3 hours so that's part of it. People were filing in all through the first half of the game. It was definitely a lot fuller than the previous game. I couldn't see the beer garden very well from where I was on the touchline but apparently it was packed out.

[Spookylish]

Done it!

Thanks! Much appreciated.

[Spookylish]

Another point to add on the crowds. This is the first year these games have been played in downtown Toronto. The gound is easliy accessible by public transport and it's in a heavily populated area. This in itself has had a massive impact on attendances. The first game vs Jamaica also had publicity by linking up with the Carribean Carnival which is North America's largest street festival. A lot of the people that came that day have been coming back for the other games. It goes to show what you can accomplish when you have smart, driven people running the show.

[Jim from Oz]

What exactly do you doubt? I've been to all of the home games this year and last so can personally vouch for the success. The guys running the CRL are working their backsides off to create interest in the National team so they can use this to build up the domestic game and development programs in schools and universities. The guys out in BC are also doing amazing things to build the game up over there. One thing is certain. There are thousands of brand new rubgy league fans in Toronto and they love their Wolverines. The noise and excitement of the crowd last night was amazing and I can guarantee that the CRL will continue to build on this. The RFL could learn a lot from the CRL.

Great - as I said, I'm glad to be proved wrong !