gingerjon

Six months? So for this season?

No, we’ve got to the “we’re exactly one quarter of the way through a long process and RL has decided to do another reset despite, apparently, those wanting to reset thinking it’s all going well”. Still, good to have an independent review led by the Chair of the organisation being reviewed.

The pitch is “IMG but without IMG” then?

Martyn has confirmed there’s no break clause. Beaumont, who voted for that contract, may need to have a word with the Beaumont who has bothered to read the details since.

The same zombie argument that says there are hundreds of thousands of anticipating Aussies also believes that as there is no major RU in Kent that it must be just waiting for RL.

GREAT BRITAIN WIN THE IHF EMERGING NATIONS TROPHY Beating Cyprus and Paraguay, but losing to Bulgaria, in the group, before beating the USA in the semi final and then avenging the earlier loss by beating hosts Bulgaria in the final. A simply incredible achievement.

I don't expect NRL levels. I do expect it to be at least as good, up to date and reliable as, say, AFC Uckfield Town Ladies (Tier 9 of the football pyramid). And it's not even close to it. That is poor. It is very easy to get things set up so things can be done with a minimum of effort. If you do actually want to grow the game, it's a bare minimum.

Yet more anonymous validation.

Something something Gary Lineker something.

In my limited experience, you tend to get stood down because something else has come up. Only someone who is terminally online and/or off their ####, would go straight to YOU CAN'T HANDLE THE TRUTH.

Did you answer the question about how much room there is for change given that (as you confirmed) the IMG contract has no break clause? Maybe something Wood can cover?

They had a women's shirt presentation. I know that because I can see a nice photo gallery linked from the socials. No details on that, just photos. Can't see anything about a friendly.

Indeed, I was more making the point that there are no riches in the Challenge Cup.

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/exclusive-the-stark-financial-reality-of-the-challenge-cup-revealed-as-future-investigated#:~:text=QF losers%3A £8%2C000,Winners%3A £100%2C000 They could be looking at a whole eight grand ...

Streamlined, apparently. They announced, at the end of last year, that all women's news would be on the main channels. I make no further comment.

Nothing really matters or has consequences. Mark Aston, despite being banned in a decisive judgement, is still gainfully employed within rugby league with no apparent will from anyone to hear the appeal that would confirm his innocence or solidify his guilt. It's all of a piece.

The crowds so far are pretty much par for the Challenge Cup.

That's a good question. I'll slightly fudge it by saying that the obsession with reintroducing open P&R would screw up any long term thinking. But I'd like a "Big RL Event" - not necessarily an On The Road game but let's assume that's our best offer - in Newcastle, London and Cardiff as a minimum every year. That leaves three. I'd use one of those as a loss leader in Cumbria to keep the county engaged. So two free radicals. Possibly Birmingham, Bristol and a French/Catalan city on a slightly crooked rotation?

Have the confidence to do six big games rather than dilute your offer by piling them high and selling them cheap. We don't need to act like we're selling sundecks all the time.

I had no real reason but thought the game was done so prioritised Great Britain's glorious victory in the IHF Emerging Nations semi final against the USA.

One here.

Good to know. So, given the game is tied to IMG for a further nine years, what scope does anyone have to change things now?

The Dolicek is a superb ground, there's just something about it. Loads of videos on YouTube of people discovering it.

8 games is too many. There is something to be said for a festival around the quarter finals. I'm not sure it really works but each game would mean something and you, likely, wouldn't be selling to the exact same eight teams each year. That's assuming we need a magic event. I assume it must make money or the clubs wouldn't have rejected the IMG proposal to bin it.

Coincidentally, I am wearing my very natty Bohemians Praha t shirt today. Games are live on Bet365 if you have an account. The standards is ... well, I'd not necessarily back them to beat their League of Ireland namesake.