RFL.

[bar red]

Nigel Wood and the RFL hierarchy appear to split opinion on the forum. The RFL finances seem to be healthier since he  took charge but the selling of our game leaves a lot to be desired. Can he be challenged in his role? Is there a democratic process for getting elected to a RFL position? I am unsure of the mechanics of the RFL regime, hopefully somebody on the forum can enlighten me. Surely in this day and age there is no such thing as a job for life and everybody can be assessed and made accountable, for good or bad.

[Dave T]

Income streams outside of tv income are down from 5 years ago.

Im not one to bash the rfl for no reason, but we do need to be increasing income from events, sponsorship and grants.

[The Daddy]

Income streams outside of tv income are down from 5 years ago.

Im not one to bash the rfl for no reason, but we do need to be increasing income from events, sponsorship and grants.

This kind of emphasises the point I've mentioned on another thread that as an accountant Nigel has done well to maximise the sport within its heartlands but nationally and looking at the broader outlook, the sport has lost its appeal to sponsors and lost some of its value.

Nigel has consolidated the sports existing position and introduced the new Super 8s concept which appeals to the Leigh's, Halifax's and Featherstone's of this world, again this concept doesn't add new supporters to the sport but builds on historical areas.

To be more specific:

1. Almost helped kill off London Broncos by forcing them to have the same number of Federation quota players as other clubs while at the same time cutting the number of development officers.

2. Cutting the number of development officers in Scotland.

3. Not doing enough to build on brand England, especially only having one England home game in 2 years. Which serious national sport does this?

4. Increasing the number of of club games despite it not adding value to the sport as a whole.

5. Forcing Toulouse to enter Championship one despite the enormous commercial potential of the club and the fact it was beneficial to no one the last time it was attempted.

6. Attempting to bring back the Lions tour concept, mimicking the Union style Lions tours despite England not playing at home in 2 years and there never actually being a point in history where we can say the RL Lions concept was a commercial runaway success.

The theme here is lack of vision, expansion, plain common sense and retracting inwards. As Martyn Sadler quite rightly said his proposals to 'invigorate' the game looked like it was drawn up by an accountant, he also said the plans looked like a blueprint for a sport which has stopped believing in itself which is as accurate as you can get.

[GIANTSTRIDES]

This kind of emphasises the point I've mentioned on another thread that as an accountant Nigel has done well to maximise the sport within its heartlands but nationally and looking at the broader outlook, the sport has lost its appeal to sponsors and lost some of its value.

Nigel has consolidated the sports existing position and introduced the new Super 8s concept which appeals to the Leigh's, Halifax's and Featherstone's of this world, again this concept doesn't add new supporters to the sport but builds on historical areas.

To be more specific:

1. Almost helped kill off London Broncos by forcing them to have the same number of Federation quota players as other clubs while at the same time cutting the number of development officers.

2. Cutting the number of development officers in Scotland.

3. Not doing enough to build on brand England, especially only having one England home game in 2 years. Which serious national sport does this?

4. Increasing the number of of club games despite it not adding value to the sport as a whole.

5. Forcing Toulouse to enter Championship one despite the enormous commercial potential of the club and the fact it was beneficial to no one the last time it was attempted.

6. Attempting to bring back the Lions tour concept, mimicking the Union style Lions tours despite England not playing at home in 2 years and there never actually being a point in history where we can say the RL Lions concept was a commercial runaway success.

The theme here is lack of vision, expansion, plain common sense and retracting inwards. As Martyn Sadler quite rightly said his proposals to 'invigorate' the game looked like it was drawn up by an accountant, he also said the plans looked like a blueprint for a sport which has stopped believing in itself which is as accurate as you can get.

They strike me as a bunch of people who know they have a good number and will do what they have to do to ensure they keep it rolling. Rugby league stagnates while most sports go forward. I know a lot of the reasons for that, they are trawled through often enough on here.

I get fed up of hearing about how badly done to we are, How unfair everyone is towards League, how little publicity we get etc,etc etc

What we have is one of the finest spectacle's going, We just don't have the people with the knowhow to capitalise on it . They will probably already be working on the system to replace the three 8s, They have to look like they are earning their money.

[EastLondonMike]

Well it's the clubs that have the power. And until there's more than a handful that genuinely want to maximise their potential and that of the sport then we'll always be stuck with a "Nigel" type in control.

[The Daddy]

The contrast couldn't be more staggering, union are brave and strategic enough to expand Argentina and Japan into Super Rugby......they even managed to incorporate these teams whilst South African teams maintain promotion and relegation. Why can't SL do that?

[The Daddy]

Well it's the clubs that have the power. And until there's more than a handful that genuinely want to maximise their potential and that of the sport then we'll always be stuck with a "Nigel" type in control.

But we know that even some of the club chairmen weren't/ aren't happy. Take Ian Lenaghan for instance and Michael Carter's recent comments that 'He should've joined the rebels is more than revealing'.

[jannerboyuk]

He's got a fan base too tight to pay full whack for major events, and still look for every excuse not to attend things like magic and the challenge cup final. Bit hard too generate serious revenue streams in that context

[Odsal Outlaw]

He's got a fan base too tight to pay full whack for major events, and still look for every excuse not to attend things like magic and the challenge cup final. Bit hard too generate serious revenue streams in that context

It's not fans fault for not attending, it's the events fault for not attracting the interest. I don't go to magic weekend for example, has no appeal to me. I do go to every international though. We need events that attract the casual fan and don't just try and get the same people to go to magic, cc, super 8's, gf etc. The first test is an example of an event that attracts the casual fan. This is what they are not good at doing on a regular basis.

[MaverickX111]

My gut feeling is that Nigel has got to go

We need a leader to take us to the next level

[terrywebbisgod]

My gut feeling is that Nigel has got to go

We need a leader to take us to the next level

Who  would be the leader to take us to "the next level" and what is "the next level"?

[bar red]

Thanks for the comments but my main point was how are the RFL staff chosen? Who votes them in and can they be voted out?

[Futtocks]

It's not fans fault for not attending, it's the events fault for not attracting the interest. I don't go to magic weekend for example, has no appeal to me. I do go to every international though. We need events that attract the casual fan and don't just try and get the same people to go to magic, cc, super 8's, gf etc. The first test is an example of an event that attracts the casual fan. This is what they are not good at doing on a regular basis.

Well, there's a point to address - what would make you more likely to attend a multi-team festival weekend like Magic or the Bash? What is missing that would appeal to you (and other fans with a similar lack of interest)?

[Futtocks]

It is my opinion at least that RL is punching above its weight when it comes to attendances and viewing figures, when measured against the finances available. 

[jannerboyuk]

It's not fans fault for not attending, it's the events fault for not attracting the interest. I don't go to magic weekend for example, has no appeal to me. I do go to every international though. We need events that attract the casual fan and don't just try and get the same people to go to magic, cc, super 8's, gf etc. The first test is an example of an event that attracts the casual fan. This is what they are not good at doing on a regular basis.

but mate what does that even mean? What does this even look like? I'm not sure what they can add to make the major events more attractive to the fans? Beyond spending millions on advertising that the rfl doesn't have then what?

[jannerboyuk]

Thanks for the comments but my main point was how are the RFL staff chosen? Who votes them in and can they be voted out?

thread drift is like the tides, no point resisting it as far as I'm aware there is a rfl council that represents the whole game that could remove the ceo, but arguably the opinion of the superleague which is each club plus the rfl is more powerful. A bit muddy

[jannerboyuk]

The other example is development officers, it's always referred to as if they've been withdrawn for no particular reason or some mystery strategy when the reality is that the funding disappeared.

[Old Frightful]

 I don't go to magic weekend for example, has no appeal to me.

The rest of your post, I think, stands up well but I'm curious as to why Magic Weekend lacks appeal to you.

 

I love the concept and have attended every one which I reckon is not bad seeing as I'm a Hull FC fan and their record is pants.

[EastLondonMike]

The first thing we need (and what we've needed for as long as I can remember) is greater exposure.. Or should I just say "exposure", as we currently have none.

Consistent good exposure of the sport and its key events will generate greater interest, but it has to be consistent over a lot of years. Currently we only really get anything outside the RL media channels for the Challenge cup final. Nothing else really gets much of a mention.

The RFL have attempted to improve media relations previously but always half heartedly. They now employ a PR agency but only for certain events, and with a certain brief for those events. To increase the profile of the sport you need constant copy for the press and TV. Build things and people will take an interest.

Though as we know we don't currently have a written media who want to write about RL in a positive light, or a TV partner who are willing to really push the sport, so it's tough.

I do still think there is much more that could be done to reach people, and at no great cost.

Not only do we lack leaders within the RFL, we also have a serious lack of creativity.

[Barnaby Reddin]

I'm of the opinion that until we grow the game internationally and become less reliant on the income from the clubs to bankroll the sport, we will always be fighting a losing battle. I believe that those at the top of the RFL are not the people to take us forward and we need to recruit people with business acumen and vision. 

The loss of London Broncos as a viable entity is the biggest blow to the sport in recent times and it will have set the game in the south back 20+ years, but the RFL don't seem to care.......this is indicative of their "self preservation" being their #1 priority. 

Treading water is the best description I can offer of Nigels time at the helm.....

[Padge]

I'm of the opinion that until we grow the game internationally and become less reliant on the income from the clubs to bankroll the sport, we will always be fighting a losing battle. I believe that those at the top of the RFL are not the people to take us forward and we need to recruit people with business acumen and vision. 

The loss of London Broncos as a viable entity is the biggest blow to the sport in recent times and it will have set the game in the south back 20+ years, but the RFL don't seem to care.......this is indicative of their "self preservation" being their #1 priority. 

Treading water is the best description I can offer of Nigels time at the helm.....

 

Treading water but being pushed backwards by the flow.

 

Woods is a disaster.

[Odsal Outlaw]

Well, there's a point to address - what would make you more likely to attend a multi-team festival weekend like Magic or the Bash? What is missing that would appeal to you (and other fans with a similar lack of interest)?

I appreciate Magic appeals to a number of fans who go regularly and enjoy it. Personally I think watching 3 RL matches in a row is too much, I'm not even a fan of double headers (I know you don't have to watch all the games).

In terms of what would raise the appeal for me ......

Convert Magic to a 9's comp for SL, top Championship Clubs and a maybe a few other development teams (Developing nations?). Then include a fully fledged England Test as the final match on the Saturday (vs France?) and on the Sunday you'd have the final of the 9's as last game.

This would also stop the additional fixture which seems less fair when their is now a form of P&R in SL.

What I do like about Magic is they've stuck with the concept for more than a couple of years which is a refreshing change!

[Odsal Outlaw]

but mate what does that even mean? What does this even look like? I'm not sure what they can add to make the major events more attractive to the fans? Beyond spending millions on advertising that the rfl doesn't have then what?

But this is the point, in the current guise the events are not attractive enough, they are therefore the wrong type of event. I put one suggestion in post above which I think would help attract more club fans but also the casual fan who goes to internationals etc. But equally appreciate this may just be a format that appeals to me!!!

[Odsal Outlaw]

The rest of your post, I think, stands up well but I'm curious as to why Magic Weekend lacks appeal to you.

I love the concept and have attended every one which I reckon is not bad seeing as I'm a Hull FC fan and their record is pants.

Hopefully answered above, but it's basically that as much as I love RL I can't watch full game after full game. I know I could leave the ground etc. But just doesn't excite me.

[Farmduck]

Thanks for the comments but my main point was how are the RFL staff chosen? Who votes them in and can they be voted out?

http://www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/rules/rfl_information?section=INTRO2