Ottawa Aces to join League 1 from 2021

[RPH]

Ottawa Aces have been officially launched to join League 1 in 2021.

A press conference was held at their new home, the TD Place Stadium, to unveil the new relocated Hemel Stags franchise.

RFL chairman Simon Johnson said: “I was delighted to be present at the TD Place Stadium for the launch of the Ottawa Aces and to confirm that the Aces will enter our competitions in 2021.

“It has been a long journey to get to this point, and I congratulate Eric Perez and his partners and investors for their commitment and vision to relocate the Hemel Stags to become the Ottawa Aces, along with the wishes of the Championship & League 1 Clubs.

“That reflects the benefits to our competitions and clubs from the progress of Toronto Wolfpack through League 1 and the Championship over the last three years.

“In Rugby League’s 125th year, as we celebrate the rich heritage of this sport, the introduction of Ottawa Aces to the competition allows us to look to a colourful, expansive and global future. They will bring a new and passionate audience to our great game. The wonderful facilities here in Ottawa will bring an exciting new element to the Betfred League 1 next season.”

All Ottawa Aces home games in Betfred League 1 during the 2021 Season will be streamed live on the Our League app.

The RFL has also confirmed that discussions with New York Rugby League are progressing and that negotiations are advanced for New York to enter the Challenge Cup next year.

If these negotiations are completed, New York would enter at the first round stage.

 

https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/ottawa-aces-to-join-league-1-from-2021/

 

[Piggy's mate]

Won't impact us next season

[silverback]

it will be another few years of look how great we are,and dont forget to learn from us on the  way up the ladder. a team bought rather than built and probably have a more english squad than canadian.no youth/reserves or homegrown players  but heritage shirts no doubt.

  wonder how league will look in 10 years with  toronto./ottowa/new york/boston and maybe a couple more with millionair backers swopping places with HKR/salford/hudd/,the likes of fev or fax and sheffield wont ever get a chance again by looks a things to sit at top table. for good of the game i aint too sure.

 

[silverback]

12 minutes ago, Piggy's mate said:

Won't impact us next season

bet it does in next 5 or ten years, made an impact on fev me thinks last year.£$£$ rather than skill.

[C Hemmins]

8 hours ago, silverback said:

it will be another few years of look how great we are,and dont forget to learn from us on the  way up the ladder. a team bought rather than built and probably have a more english squad than canadian.no youth/reserves or homegrown players  but heritage shirts no doubt.

  wonder how league will look in 10 years with  toronto./ottowa/new york/boston and maybe a couple more with millionair backers swopping places with HKR/salford/hudd/,the likes of fev or fax and sheffield wont ever get a chance again by looks a things to sit at top table. for good of the game i aint too sure.

 

Just like us then

[Blind side johnny]

10 hours ago, Piggy's mate said:

Won't impact us next season

I won't bite, or have I?

[Blind side johnny]

10 hours ago, silverback said:

it will be another few years of look how great we are,and dont forget to learn from us on the  way up the ladder. a team bought rather than built and probably have a more english squad than canadian.no youth/reserves or homegrown players  but heritage shirts no doubt.

  wonder how league will look in 10 years with  toronto./ottowa/new york/boston and maybe a couple more with millionair backers swopping places with HKR/salford/hudd/,the likes of fev or fax and sheffield wont ever get a chance again by looks a things to sit at top table. for good of the game i aint too sure.

 

I have seen the question posed elsewhere however: what do clubs like Batley and Dewsbury actually bring to the game?

Putting aside our deeply-rooted loyalties it is a difficult question to answer objectively.

[Bill H]

As you know, if you come to The Mount on a summer's afternoon to watch a game you will see people socialising and having a good time.  That is what it is all about.  Neither club needs to justify it's existence.

 

 

 

[Batley Bob]

Alex Walmsley , Josh Griffin , Jake Connor have all worn the Batley shirt before moving up to super league 

[doggystyle]

Not accurate BB. Both Griffin and Connor had played in Super League before joining us. I reckon Jake would have erased his Batley appearance against Leigh, it was a truly shocking game.

[Blind side johnny]

1 hour ago, Bi11 said:

As you know, if you come to The Mount on a summer's afternoon to watch a game you will see people socialising and having a good time.  That is what it is all about.  Neither club needs to justify it's existence.

 

 

 

And the same might appy equally to Ottawa, Toronto etc I'm sure you would agree.

[RogerT]

Certainly at Toronto when I went the atmosphere was brilliant pre, during and after the match, if Ottawa bring the same to the table count me in for one.

[gittinsfan]

2 hours ago, Blind side johnny said:

I have seen the question posed elsewhere however: what do clubs like Batley and Dewsbury actually bring to the game?

Putting aside our deeply-rooted loyalties it is a difficult question to answer objectively.

Surely that could apply to quite a few clubs,including some SL clubs.

[Batley Bob]

2 hours ago, doggystyle said:

Not accurate BB. Both Griffin and Connor had played in Super League before joining us. I reckon Jake would have erased his Batley appearance against Leigh, it was a truly shocking game.

We got griffin first time time in 2010 season before he played sl for Huddersfield , Mcgilvary in 2009 before he played sl , and jake Connor jk deemed not good enough fo championship and sent him back after 3 friendlies and one league game

[silverback]

3 hours ago, Blind side johnny said:

I have seen the question posed elsewhere however: what do clubs like Batley and Dewsbury actually bring to the game?

Putting aside our deeply-rooted loyalties it is a difficult question to answer objectively.

 They must be doing sommat right as we keep going back.To be fair had rather see a decent game with fev v fax or even us v you now and again, its more than just a game its a family day out for us on game days, and dont get me wrong i did like the idea of a canadian team coming over here to rattle saints and cas with converted grid iron players as was mentioned 3 years ago,then again i liked my runs out to bramley too, if we all send out freebies and had 20 craft ale stalls with enough adverts around am sure all the crowds would swelled on game day. i will reserve judgment until ottawa team sheet is printed,

[Blind side johnny]

On 10/03/2020 at 12:23, gittinsfan said:

Surely that could apply to quite a few clubs,including some SL clubs.

Exactly. If such criteria were applied searchingly we might only have about four clubs left playing each other. However I think that posing that as a reason for new clubs to be excluded due to lack of history/tradition/Northerness/proper pies etc is a weak argument.

[gittinsfan]

4 hours ago, Blind side johnny said:

Exactly. If such criteria were applied searchingly we might only have about four clubs left playing each other. However I think that posing that as a reason for new clubs to be excluded due to lack of history/tradition/Northerness/proper pies etc is a weak argument.

I am totally in agreement with expansion to NA Canada etc.

Anywhere over Europe for that matter.

I don't know how to do it.There are people paid much more than me are paid to know.

What really pizzes me off is people like Scotchy  can come on here and say that clubs like Dewsbury and Batley  and many others contribute nothing to the game.