iangidds Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 After many a rant on here for many a year I thought it would be better to try and harness the rage/ideas/frustration/ vision etc and see if i can help benefit the game in someway . I would like to form a group of like minded people who wish to form a document to present to the RFL next year before the league begins, this will be best conducted over email between a group of 5 to 10 people who have vision as well as grounded financial / real world thoughts. Cant say I am interested in the what if brigade throwing a bucket load of negativity over any ideas! So if you have any ideas how this could be structured or if you wish to contribute in any way please let me know. My initial thoughts on the future of RL are as follows Schools RL Amateur RL Semi Pro RL Professional RL ( maybe split leagues as required) International RL European RL Marketing Tv exposure / deals Social Media Expansion to local/ global markets If you have a genuine love for the game and wish to positively contribute please do , if not go look up Tiny Tim and troll him to death:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iangidds Posted October 14, 2015 Author Share Posted October 14, 2015 This may appeal to students involved in different aspects of working fields such as Marketing, economics, event management etc etc If we can get a compelling professional document together and it could be an excellent marketing tool for each individual involved? My only gain would be to see the development of the sport I love. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roughyedspud Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 What are your thoughts then?? On amateur? On schools,on semi pro etc???? The RFL have many,well documented,"thoughts" on the bullit points you've rasied... You probably don't agree with them though...hence you feeling to need to write to the RFL... Save ya effort mate...its falling on deaf ears! OLDHAM RLFC the 8TH most successful team in british RL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSaint Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 What are your thoughts then?? On amateur? On schools,on semi pro etc???? The RFL have many,well documented,"thoughts" on the bullit points you've rasied... You probably don't agree with them though...hence you feeling to need to write to the RFL... Save ya effort mate...its falling on deaf ears! Is there a strategy written down spud? If so, can you please send me a link? I'll have a goose and send in a few comments when bored. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iangidds Posted October 14, 2015 Author Share Posted October 14, 2015 Two doom and gloom starts! If you stand by and say there is no chance thats all you get! I have ideas but want to hear others in a structured way , each person/ group can take a section and work on it and if we can get a few ideas that are worth pursuing and presenting the exercise will have been a success . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allora Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Start in the Schools. It would not be expensive to get some Coaching, equipment and promotion by Players to get the ball rolling. Not every kid is going to make the football team. If you look at what the Australians do they have very active promotion right from the young kids to the teenagers in every code, AFL, Football, Rugby Union and Rugby League. Kids can try all of what is offered if they want. My Brother in law is in Brisbane and his Son's (he is 10 years old) school have just had a Queensland Reds promotion offered for next year. Its a similar deal for all of the codes over there. *Professional Coaching program for 5 weeks *Family pass to a Reds game of your choice (valued at $120 Aus) * 10% off Reds merchandise * Reds Rookies2Reds pack, includes a Bag, Ball,Hat, ball pump etc. Cost $60 Aus valued at $300. http://www.rookies2reds.com.au/ All of the codes in Australia have similar deals at the Schools. In anything you do you have to start with the foundations and then build on them. Talent is secondary to whether players are confident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iangidds Posted October 14, 2015 Author Share Posted October 14, 2015 Start in the Schools. It would not be expensive to get some Coaching, equipment and promotion by Players to get the ball rolling. Not every kid is going to make the football team. If you look at what the Australians do they have very active promotion right from the young kids to the teenagers in every code, AFL, Football, Rugby Union and Rugby League. Kids can try all of what is offered if they want. My Brother in law is in Brisbane and his Son's (he is 10 years old) school have just had a Queensland Reds promotion offered for next year. Its a similar deal for all of the codes over there. *Professional Coaching program for 5 weeks *Family pass to a Reds game of your choice (valued at $120 Aus) * 10% off Reds merchandise * Reds Rookies2Reds pack, includes a Bag, Ball,Hat, ball pump etc. Cost $60 Aus valued at $300. http://www.rookies2reds.com.au/ All of the codes in Australia have similar deals at the Schools. In anything you do you have to start with the foundations and then build on them. Great I like it , what I think is that people have particular passions for different aspects of the game . If you would like to be a formal part of a group please let me know Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farmduck Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Allora is 100% correct. I can't believe how many times I've read this article of faith on Brit RL forums that the way to fix/grow the game is to have more internationals, or, to put it another way, from the top down. RL succeeds in OZ because it starts from the bottom up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSaint Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Allora is 100% correct. I can't believe how many times I've read this article of faith on Brit RL forums that the way to fix/grow the game is to have more internationals, or, to put it another way, from the top down. RL succeeds in OZ because it starts from the bottom up. It's a combination of both, especially over here. Kids need to see role models on the TV playing internationals as it helps to stimulate interest as well as participating themselves. I agree with Allora's points but it'll hit a hurdle when it comes to continuation of the classes once the players have moved on to other schools. It would have to be teachers to take on that role and in an extra-cirricular capacity... that's the stumbling block! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RLNewbie Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 The RFL got rid of or had their funding cut for community coaches and development officers, this thread will pop up year after year until we get the little things like that sorted. My opinion of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Railway End Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 The RFL got rid of or had their funding cut for community coaches and development officers, this thread will pop up year after year until we get the little things like that sorted. My opinion of course.A Welsh work colleague of mine told me a few weeks back that the WRU employ about 60 development officers to work in every school throughout Wales. They do skills sessions and arrange tournaments/festivals for every school to participate in. Apparently the aim is to transfer this enthusiasm to kids joining their local club. I appreciate this all costs money for salaries, equipment, transport etc, but this is surely a path the RFL has to concentrate on. Edit - Just found something about this online. http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/development/ministomillennium/player/index.php "Rugby League is rugby in the simplest form in the sense that it's about great defence, great tackling technique, good handling, good passing, catching and great kicking." Stuart Lancaster - England Rugby Union Head Coach - October 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Rhino Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 A Welsh work colleague of mine told me a few weeks back that the WRU employ about 60 development officers to work in every school throughout Wales. They do skills sessions and arrange tournaments/festivals for every school to participate in. Apparently the aim is to transfer this enthusiasm to kids joining their local club. I appreciate this all costs money for salaries, equipment, transport etc, but this is surely a path the RFL has to concentrate on. Edit - Just found something about this online. http://www.wru.co.uk/eng/development/ministomillennium/player/index.php If you've read any of my posts on the subject on here you'll know we used to do exactly that.The year England union won the WC we were killing them in schools in Derby. Their (full time) development officer sat in an office and wrote letters. Our funding was cut to nothing,they upped their game and the chance was lost for ever. Makes me weep. However if we are to develop the game it's boots on the ground and people in schools. Leeds seem to have a fantastic schools programme as I'm sure many other clubs do. If the RFL had the money, the clubs have a huge wealth of experience and would know how to spend it well. It's all down to money, and we have very little. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeordieSaint Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 If the RFL had the money, the clubs have a huge wealth of experience and would know how to spend it well. It's all down to money, and we have very little. Whilst I appreciate your point, there is more money in the game now than ever before. I am pretty certain part of the 2018-21 TV contract includes about £20m for player development if I remember correctly. This money shouldn't go anywhere near the SL clubs. It should go straight into funding development officers for the benefit of the game as a whole. The SL clubs should be doing that work themselves as you rightly point out with Leeds. The development officers should work with clubs to tap into that expertise but not be employed by the clubs otherwise they'll be focussed on the club's own interests and not the development of the sport. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iangidds Posted October 14, 2015 Author Share Posted October 14, 2015 This thread is proving that we have credible ideas and I want to investigate with a team how we can bring these changes to fruition ! Im sure that if we only bring one idea forward that works it will be a success , please PM if you wish to talk further but please keep adding thoughts here too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padge Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Allora is 100% correct. I can't believe how many times I've read this article of faith on Brit RL forums that the way to fix/grow the game is to have more internationals, or, to put it another way, from the top down. RL succeeds in OZ because it starts from the bottom up. RL succeeds in Oz because it is popular in the three cities with the largest populations and massive in the city with the largest population. Visit my photography site www.padge.smugmug.com Radio 5 Live: Saturday 14 April 2007 Dave Whelan "In Wigan rugby will always be king" This country's wealth was created by men in overalls, it was destroyed by men in suits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allora Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 RL succeeds in Oz because it is popular in the three cities with the largest populations and massive in the city with the largest population. It is large there because they built the foundations back in the day and continue to build on that youth development. Back in the Day when Matthew Ridge was at Manly and a Test Fullback he was employed by the ARL as a full time School development officer. Nurture and invest in the kids is the best long term plan in my opinion, if they get into the game the flow on effect with family and friends that will be exposed to the game is the answer for a bright future. Without getting young kids into the game how will we have any growth in Clubs or Players in the future. Talent is secondary to whether players are confident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padge Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 It is large there because they built the foundations back in the day and continue to build on that youth development. Back in the Day when Matthew Ridge was at Manly and a Test Fullback he was employed by the ARL as a full time School development officer. Nurture and invest in the kids is the best long term plan in my opinion, if they get into the game the flow on effect with family and friends that will be exposed to the game is the answer for a bright future. Without getting young kids into the game how will we have any growth in Clubs or Players in the future. Sorry but RL is big in Oz because it dominates the press sporting sections in the biggest City and has done for a very very long time before Mathew Ridge was born. The RFU declared via the press in 1895 via its mouth piece The Pall Mall Gazette that they would make Northern Union insignificant by starving it of publicity. Visit my photography site www.padge.smugmug.com Radio 5 Live: Saturday 14 April 2007 Dave Whelan "In Wigan rugby will always be king" This country's wealth was created by men in overalls, it was destroyed by men in suits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allora Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Sorry but RL is big in Oz because it dominates the press sporting sections in the biggest City and has done for a very very long time before Mathew Ridge was born. The RFU declared via the press in 1895 via its mouth piece The Pall Mall Gazette that they would make Northern Union insignificant by starving it of publicity. I guess we should give up trying then? If you had participants you would get the press. We are where we are because our games development has failed in the last few decades and that will not change or improve unless we do something about it. What would you do padge? Talent is secondary to whether players are confident. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Padge Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 I guess we should give up trying then? If you had participants you would get the press. We are where we are because our games development has failed in the last few decades and that will not change or improve unless we do something about it. What would you do padge? Without the press on board you are stuffed, we tried courting the press, inviting sports editors to fancy lunches. I think Martyn Sadler said that they didn't turn up but handed the invites out as freebies to their mates. Trying to make the press sit up is pointless, unless; you have a major sponsor who is attractive to them from the advertising front. The aim should be to get the highest profile sponsor you can get, a sponsor who spends money on advertising in the press. What you want is for those sponsors to bring pressure to bear if they do not see the game get some nice good news stories. How you do that I have no idea, if I did know I wouldn't be doing my current job. The target has to be major high profile sponsors for the game and for the clubs. Lenigan realises this, hence his London business club and opening an office in London to do a lot of flesh pressing. Although I said before "I have no idea", I do know one thing sponsors want to be associated with success and considering what has gone on in't t'other code it is imperative to beat the Kiwis and generate good publicity on the back of it. Selling out the Olympic Stadium will help as well. Visit my photography site www.padge.smugmug.com Radio 5 Live: Saturday 14 April 2007 Dave Whelan "In Wigan rugby will always be king" This country's wealth was created by men in overalls, it was destroyed by men in suits. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Rhino Posted October 14, 2015 Share Posted October 14, 2015 Whilst I appreciate your point, there is more money in the game now than ever before. I am pretty certain part of the 2018-21 TV contract includes about £20m for player development if I remember correctly. This money shouldn't go anywhere near the SL clubs. It should go straight into funding development officers for the benefit of the game as a whole. The SL clubs should be doing that work themselves as you rightly point out with Leeds. The development officers should work with clubs to tap into that expertise but not be employed by the clubs otherwise they'll be focussed on the club's own interests and not the development of the sport. I think you misunderstood, probably my fault not making it clear. I wasn't suggesting any money be given to clubs just that at the moment that is where the expertise lies. The RFL needs to harness some of these for the greater good of the game. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adelaide Tiger Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 How about the RFL introducing a rule stating that every full time player MUST contribute 2 hours per week to a local school. So Cas would each player to a local school for one year. Where possible players are linked to age groups that they feel comfortable with, as in life, some players are better coaching and talking to 8 years old whilst some feel more comfortable with older agpe groups. Each player would assist/lead coaching sessions that have put together by the RFL so each child, male and female, participating has the same development to any other child of a similar age. Once a month half an hour of the session could be delivered by someone from another organisation to discuss issues relevant to the age group covering topics such as bullying, healthy lifestyle, internet privacy etc. As for costs, well its part of the players salary! Other organisation input is required but many give staff time for as part of their remit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave T Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Im not a fan of the mentality that because you are good at rugby, you should be in schools working with kids. Some players are absolute assholes. Would they all pass crb checks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Railway End Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Im not a fan of the mentality that because you are good at rugby, you should be in schools working with kids. Some players are absolute assholes. Would they all pass crb checks? Spot on Dave although I know a lot of current players who are brilliant at coaching kids as well. A well coordinated Development Officer strategy with high standards and participation levels is the way to go IMO. Maybe current (or even ex) players could be incentivised to provide assistance and profile for the Development Officers. "Rugby League is rugby in the simplest form in the sense that it's about great defence, great tackling technique, good handling, good passing, catching and great kicking." Stuart Lancaster - England Rugby Union Head Coach - October 2013 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rob Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Im not a fan of the mentality that because you are good at rugby, you should be in schools working with kids. Some players are absolute assholes. Would they all pass crb checks? You're quite right that you wouldn't want some players in schools, in front of sponsors, etc but I've often thought whether it would be possible to utilise players in other roles around a club. Do full time pro RL players still have plenty of additional time on their hands after training commitments are over? Certainly out of season there would be plenty of time, even allowing for holidays. A squad of young fit strong men could be utilised in many ways, from building, construction work, to marketing, to development work, community work depending on the skill set of the individuals a club has at its disposal. The net result would be steering more money into a player's pocket rather than the same money being spent on contractors and thus leaving the game. This could increase the incomes of the players without costing the clubs a penny more as it would be just diverting cash that would have been spent elsewhere. I appreciate some specialist roles may not suitable for players, but I would argue a lot of the tasks needed to be undertaken around running a professional club and sports venue could be diverted. Just a bit of clever management or contract agreements needed? www.heyshamatoms.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave T Posted October 15, 2015 Share Posted October 15, 2015 Im a believer in making Rugby League an attractive proposition in its own right. It is a profession. They shouldnt be expected to paint the changing rooms imho. Id rather they spend their time training, in tge gym, watching rl games etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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