Posted 18 January 2013 - 01:11 PM
It's always fair to discuss whether the governing body of the game are doing their jobs well, badly or adequately as the custodians of the game we all love. Unfortunately, the way in which this particular question was framed meant this thread was only ever going to be one in which we could beat the RFL with a stick, focused as it was on two entirely random items - the RFL website (important) and a photo of the RFL team (totally irrelevant).
Three weeks ago, the RFL were being called all sorts of names on here (Viking Warrior was a standout culprit) for not lifting a finger to help Salford. Others pointed out that the RFL - and Nigel Wood in particular - had been engaged in all sorts of round-the-clock negotiations to try to secure a deal. I now read on the Salford thread that Mr Koukash's takeover of the club is close to completion. I suspect I won't read heartfelt congratulations for the RFL for the role they undoubtedly played in that process.
They don't sit on a potful of cash - as some suggest - and neither should they. I think it's fair to say that they've struggled to set out a clear vision for the game in this country, and that's something I would like to see. But we should also take into account that the environment we live in is a fraught one and that until the country has money to spend we'll be seeing more crisis management than strategic thinking over the next few years.
There undoubtedly things that encourage me from afar though. We have got some good things in place for the World Cup, including early ticket sales, the bidding process and the engagement with local authorities. Even a 'break-even' World Cup should do its bit for improving the image and visibility of the game, especially if England do what we all hope and get to the final (and win!). The RFL have made a clear move from trying to do everything themselves to getting companies with proven track records to take over aspects of the game's running, from securing media/TV deals to ticketing and marketing.
Not everything has worked. The Stobart deal was a gamble, and one that was always going to be a difficult sale to a fanbase (and club BODs) who were only ever going to measure value in cash terms. I've seen posts by Shrek and others recently that have suggested, tentatively, that it may not have been as bad a deal as seems to have become common belief. Of course, as a reader on here you have to content with Canetman's faux 'in the know' posts which are almost convincing, until the point he is challenged and throws his toys out of the pram.
One trouble is perception. Many people seem to obfuscate the role of the RFL with that of a national government, and consequently the argument follows that the RFL should 'nationalise' any club, stadium or old hotel (!) that happens to run into trouble. They're not resourced like that; the clubs would never allow them to be. But they do have the power to make decisions on behalf of the game. Featherstone, Leigh and Halifax fans may believe they haven't done that correctly, and often those are legitimate concerns. But the renewal of those clubs and their transformation into credible businesses (currently at various stages) does point to some success in the licensing system. The failures of Celtic, Bradford and Salford do, of course, represent some degree of failure. But we've been over these points.
To wrap it up, I think the RFL do a lot with small resources. Pleasing everyone all of the time is a near impossibility in this sort of economic climate, but the clubs are still there and many of them are growing. Let's let the RFL do their job and start worrying about the rugby in 2013. There's some great stuff to come at all levels of the game, from international to Championship 1.
Astute analysis from a Wigan fan:
Rumour going around Headingley that Wire will have to play the second half with 12 men.
It seems that they forgot to bring the half time oranges, and Solomona ate Chris Bridge instead.
Don't know why he was hungry, as he looked as though he had eaten the whole youth team before the game started.
To create the best, viable and competitive semi-professional competition possible
