An interesting Development in Wheelchair Rugby League

[Futtocks]

Rugby Union Club Stade Toulousain getting involved in what looks like (from the badge) a hook-up with Toulouse Olympique. Interesting times indeed.

 

[Odsal Outlaw]

There is absolutely the chance that rugby union will claim the sport as its own if we are not careful. I hope we have all the relevant protection in place globally.

[Futtocks]

1 minute ago, Odsal Outlaw said:

There is absolutely the chance that rugby union will claim the sport as its own if we are not careful. I hope we have all the relevant protection in place globally.

They'd have to suborn Robert Fassolette and change the game's rules... and deal with a mass exodus of players and fans.

[RigbyLuger]

Union made it's bed with a game that looks nothing like any form of rugby. Shame. 

[Copa]

I welcome it but union will take over if increased interest is not managed properly.

Edited November 16, 2023 by Copa

[Wellsy4HullFC]

Wolves in sheep's clothing.

[Whippet13]

French RU will steal it if they can, if their media drop "League/XIII" and start calling it "Wheelchair Rugby" then that will be a huge red flag.

[The Masked Poster]

If Rugby League, allows Wheelchair Rugby League (which is definitely RL) to slip away and end up being called Wheelchair Rugby and administered by RU - then it only has itself to blame. 
 

 

[Damien]

1 hour ago, The Masked Poster said:

If Rugby League, allows Wheelchair Rugby League (which is definitely RL) to slip away and end up being called Wheelchair Rugby and administered by RU - then it only has itself to blame. 

Yeah they need to be pretty careful with this. One thing that is very evident on social media when international are on the BBC are the really positive comments from RU fans and it is pretty much universal how much they think wheelchair RL is more like Rugby per se compared to the Union version.

If RU teams want to play then fine but it very much needs to be made clear that they are playing RL and they need to come under that umbrella. We can't have a repeat of what has happened with the likes of Touch and Tag Rugby.

Edited November 16, 2023 by Damien

[tiffers]

1 hour ago, The Masked Poster said:

If Rugby League, allows Wheelchair Rugby League (which is definitely RL) to slip away and end up being called Wheelchair Rugby and administered by RU - then it only has itself to blame. 
 

 

We have all those superb examples of where we have previously had protections put in place around the terms used to describe our game(s) and its assets.

[The Masked Poster]

1 hour ago, Damien said:

Yeah they need to be pretty careful with this. One thing that is very evident on social media when international are on the BBC are the really positive comments from RU fans and it is pretty much universal how much they think wheelchair RL is more like Rugby per se compared to the Union version.

If RU teams want to play then fine but it very much needs to be made clear that they are playing RL and they need to come under that umbrella. We can't have a repeat of what has happened with the likes of Touch and Tag Rugby.

Yes they need to be careful alright. Certainly, be as welcoming as possible and encourage anyone to join in. But don't allow yourself to be gradually sidelined until you are somehow on the periphery shouting "it IS rugby league you know.. "

[Futtocks]

If they try to rebrand it as "Wheelchair Rugby", I'd expect the existing, bigger and longer-established "Wheelchair Rugby" brand* to sue them 'til they squeal.

*yes, yes, you don't need to tell us it's just an adapted version of Wheelchair Basketball or that it isn't as good to watch.

[Damien]

Yet another wheelchair team makes its debut tonight:

 

[Northern Eel]

2 hours ago, Damien said:

Yet another wheelchair team makes its debut tonight:

 

Streamed on Facebook Live too. There was an appreciative crowd there too. Great stuff. 

[The Masked Poster]

It’s bitterly ironic to compare the Wheelchair game with the regular game and see their attitude towards newcomers getting involved. Sad. 

[Damien]

2 hours ago, The Masked Poster said:

It’s bitterly ironic to compare the Wheelchair game with the regular game and see their attitude towards newcomers getting involved. Sad. 

I think not being dominated by heartland clubs and fans from the off helps immensely. Teams, players and fans from elsewhere are absolutely part of the wheelchair game with a say and voice. Despite whatever is spouted in press releases and whatever lip service is given I'm not sure that really applies in the regular game.

[corvusxiii]

On 16/11/2023 at 00:07, Odsal Outlaw said:

There is absolutely the chance that rugby union will claim the sport as its own if we are not careful. I hope we have all the relevant protection in place globally.

David Hinchcliff: Class War. Our rah rah cousins might be already be winning this as we type. 

[Dunbar]

Union will take this sport.  It's what they do.