Bernard Gausch & Marc Palanques create opposition to FFR XIII

[The Daddy]

http://www.13unis.com/

Led by Bernard Guasch and Marc Palanques and announced at the French cup final yesterday. They are trying to force federal elections for a takeover of the presidency in June and propose an elite comp including new cities and also a 4 team provincial championship along with other initiatives.

Thoughts?

[Hvy wg]

And they promised to get rid of Agar.

They want a French coach for the French national side. I don't know about new cities, it's hard to create a team from nothing. 

[Oxford]

This is a biy of a perenial story in France: take over bid, new format, etc etc.

 

Maybe Hudgell's had a word and they're starting the party over there? Could have waited until 14th July though, don't you think?

[DoubleD]

This is a biy of a perenial story in France: take over bid, new format, etc etc.

Maybe Hudgell's had a word and they're starting the party over there? Could have waited until 14th July though, don't you think?

Has the oracle that is Sadler mentioned this though, because if not it can't be true?

Back on serious matters, this is what the game in France needs. Although as Hvy Wg rightly points out you can't just stick pins in a map at cities you want a team, there needs to be a bit more substance to it.

[Oxford]

1 ) Has the oracle that is Sadler mentioned this though, because if not it can't be true?

2) Back on serious matters, this is what the game in France needs. Although as Hvy Wg rightly points out you can't just stick pins in a map at cities you want a team, there needs to be a bit more substance to it.

1) I hope he doesn't I don't like facts to get in the way of my prejudices! lol

 

2) The perenial story and the perenial problem for France!

 

Mind you, if they do stick pins in a map, we could see another Morocco, UAE, Italy story eminating from L'Hexagone!

[kiwis 13 6]

An Interesting read, the plans for FFR13 to stop charging clubs so much to enter Elite 1 & 2, Find more private funding & have a better French National team are all things that need to be done. Well put together website.

 

Can someone answer a question - How many Clubs & players are there in northern France? my internet search seems to indicate only 5 clubs in Paris & 1 in Nantes.  

[Yakstorm]

The FFRXIII is not performing when you compare it against most KPIs. The national team hasn't won a piece of silverware since 2005 and suffered its worse loss of all time last year.

Sponsorship revenues for the national body is only 120,000 Euros which is less than what most of the Elite 1 clubs bring in.

The Elite has arguably gone backwards, areas like Paris are no longer represented and Lyon / Montpelier have no kicked on and don't look like they'll be in Elite 1 anytime soon.

The best clubs from France are looking to England as they're way of progressing and at a junior / open age amateur level there doesn't appear on the surface to be anything major to shout about.

In short things need to change in France. There is no doubt there is talent in France. Catalans and Toulouse are showing us this, plus the other French players running around the grades.

Also it's not all doom and gloom over there, but I can understand that some would be feeling that France may turn into nothing more than 2x pro clubs and not much else if nothing changes.

Bernard Guasch has turned Catalans into a 10 million+ Euros success story, whilst Marc has been a driver behind the Chevaliers Cathares concept. Not the worst duo to be driving the challenge.

[The Daddy]

There definitely needs to be reform, I'm not sure what they're proposing at the top level is the best way forward. They've proposed a four way provincial cup AND an expanded Elite competition with new cities still playing in winter and still semi pro.

In my opinion it should be just one or the other, and what would work best would be a combination of the two, a single summer comp with regional teams and new cities but this is another case of watch this space.

The drama and soap opera that is French rugby league continues.

[Yakstorm]

Maybe they've realised there isn't a TV partner prepared to take on Elite 1, but a new regional competition is potentially an easier sell.

Versus putting all the eggs in one basket, they are creating an opportunity to not only expose the best from the Elite at a higher level but also a property that is easier to sell.

Be keen to see the finer detail of both plans.

[kiwis 13 6]

With there track records as a former French Captain, starting the Aude Cathars side & profitably operating Catalans. They would seem to have most bases covered such as demonstrating a passion for the game, knowing the history of  the sport and proven organisational and financial experience and success.

[Hvy wg]

You can't just say "hey big city, build a team okay!"

For the Elite 1, two options :
A. You want to keep the level high, you can't expand
B. You want to expand, you include teams that are going to lose by 70points margin every week

 

Or option C... Cathares (Lezignan, Limoux, Carcassonne) into Championship/ Championship One and Elite 2 becomes Elite 1 + Avignon/Palau/Villeneuve.

[Henson Park Old Firm]

Sounds like a potential mini super league war... something has to be done especially live tv is the future for most paytv companies these days.

[wackojacko]

You can't just say "hey big city, build a team okay!"

For the Elite 1, two options :

A. You want to keep the level high, you can't expand

B. You want to expand, you include teams that are going to lose by 70points margin every week

 

Or option C... Cathares (Lezignan, Limoux, Carcassonne) into Championship/ Championship One and Elite 2 becomes Elite 1 + Avignon/Palau/Villeneuve.

 

Would they be aiming at places like Montpellier with increased investment from Nicollin? Is that guy up in Lens still kicking around?

[Hvy wg]

Would they be aiming at places like Montpellier with increased investment from Nicollin? Is that guy up in Lens still kicking around?

There's very little in Montpellier... Union side is firing and gets the money. 

Not sure Nicollin wants to invest anymore. 

I have no news about Luc Dayan (from Lens). Zalduendo must have told him "no thanks".

[The Future is League]

http://www.13unis.com/

Led by Bernard Guasch and Marc Palanques and announced at the French cup final yesterday. They are trying to force federal elections for a takeover of the presidency in June and propose an elite comp including new cities and also a 4 team provincial championship along with other initiatives.

Thoughts?

Haven't we been here before with the French.

I wish them all the best like i do all people who want to expand Rugby League.

[kiwis 13 6]

with possibly only 6 amateur (see my earlier question still looking for an answer) clubs in whole of Northern France including Paris. Any club based in Northern area's like Lens etc is going to need CA$H as no player base in the area would have to have union converts or international imports. 

[audois]

Marc Palanque seems to have all bases here covered especially shouldered by Bernard Guasch. They have the Aude-Catalan clubs in their pocket as well as Provence. Not hanging around either as they want the elections for the Presidency brought forward to next month so as to get next seasons Elite 1 sorted out as well as French team in preparation for the 2017 World Cup. For next year an Elite 1 proposed with 10 sides and in subsequent years expanding to 12 and then 14.

 

I like the idea of the  4 provinces thing, this to be played in January between the first and second phases of the Elite 1 comp. Cathares, Catalans, Provence and Midi Pyrenees involved at U15, U17, Juniors and Seniors with the winner playing in the Challenge Cup across the Channel.

 

Since the Dragons entered SL to me always a strained relationship with the Federation and the French team - hopefully this project has the potential to sort this out.

 

[Oxford]

"Since the Dragons entered SL to me always a strained relationship with the Federation and the French team - hopefully this project has the potential to sort this out."

 

Audois, this is the crucial bit for me sorting out the relationship between club and country!

[Lowdesert]

Forgive me for my ignorance but where does SL Europe and the RFL come in all this?

Can Guasch etc act alone to instigate?

[ParraEelsNRL]

One lucky thing they have going for them is the fact a lot of the big cities where the game is dormant at the moment, quite a few of them over the years have had some great sides who could pull a crowd at times so the game is known even at a small level in plenty of cities, something to start from if needed.

[The Daddy]

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[USRLFAN]

Thanks for the updates! How would this elite 1 differ from this years?  I believe there are nine clubs now. Would Toulouse and Catalans remain in the English system?

[Kris]

I think its been mentioned elsewhere that the Cathars project was preferred by Catalans for League 1 instead of Toulouse - since they didn't get in and Toulouse did you do wonder if the RFL have inadvertently stood on someones toes and pushed Guasch over the edge a bit

 

The only thing left for Cathars is a regional league set up with the three elite teams feeding into it  - which means there would need to be three more regions at least - with the elite comps beneath that

 

Which leaves Zalduendo and Toulouse and the FFR out in the cold a bit - be interesting to see a FFR national team and a Guasch national team at the same time - the FFR is the recognised body but if its bust, which to be fair its not far off if its not - then maybe this is the only way forward on the table that has any backing at this time

 

As for money in French sport - it does seem to have a lot of public money available to the right sports and a lot of individuals who put silly amounts of cash into their teams - so if they can be brought in anything is possible

 

As noted France has a national RL history that may not be too far from the surface  but remains to be seen

[Evil Homer]

I've heard that the potential new administration is against Toulouse playing in the British system? Surely they can see that such integration is essential to raising their standard to a fully pro club similar to Catalans? I hope this isn't a case of Guasch trying to limit the development of Toulouse to give himself more influence with the federation.

[Oxford]

I've heard that the potential new administration is against Toulouse playing in the British system? Surely they can see that such integration is essential to raising their standard to a fully pro club similar to Catalans? I hope this isn't a case of Guasch trying to limit the development of Toulouse to give himself more influence with the federation.

This is quite possible. but in SL it would provide a real Derby for the Magic!

 

But I think all motivations require a pinch of salt!