David Hughes

[Magic XIII]

16 hours ago, Click said:

I'll have you know he got his son games at Super League level this year, don't you say it's been for zero!

(Something I still can't believe I ever saw the RL press comment on.. There was even an article I saw a few weeks back "London player speaks out against IMG" and it was Hughes Jr, and they didn't even mention in the article that he is the son of the owner)

His grandson but your point is well made. 

[JohnM]

What official information  is available regarding the future of rugby league in London? 

1. As I understand it, we are currently at Phase 3 as recommended by IMG and accepted by the RFL and the constituent clubs. Grading.

2. Then as I understand it, once Phase 3 has been fully implemented, we move on to Phase 4 as recommended by IMG and accepted by the RFL and the constituent clubs: An expansion strategy - three areas identified for focus for growth - France,  the womens game, London.

4. Nowhere have I seen anything that talks about the phases being implemented in parallel, nor have I seen any mention of growth in London being through the Broncos, not do I believe the RFL have the resources to develop a strategy, plan and tactics for growing the game in London until the grading scheme is completed and up and running.

5. Can anyone help the "debate" by showing more up-to-date reliable info from either the RFL or IMG, please?

[Dave T]

19 minutes ago, JohnM said:

What official information  is available regarding the future of rugby league in London? 

1. As I understand it, we are currently at Phase 3 as recommended by IMG and accepted by the RFL and the constituent clubs. Grading.

2. Then as I understand it, once Phase 3 has been fully implemented, we move on to Phase 4 as recommended by IMG and accepted by the RFL and the constituent clubs: An expansion strategy - three areas identified for focus for growth - France,  the womens game, London.

I don't think it's quite as clear as that John. All of the recommendations are part of the Phase 1 - reimagining Phase from what I could tell. It had 7 recommendations, but doesn't state they will be delivered sequentially. They are 7 standalone recommendations. But they will have prioritised what they deliver when, I don't see to much issue in that the game hasn't published the expansion strategy yet. I'd hope they have started work on it, but in reality, why sign a 12 year deal if all the thinking and planning can be done in year 1?

[Archie Gordon]

44 minutes ago, JohnM said:

What official information  is available regarding the future of rugby league in London? 

1. As I understand it, we are currently at Phase 3 as recommended by IMG and accepted by the RFL and the constituent clubs. Grading.

2. Then as I understand it, once Phase 3 has been fully implemented, we move on to Phase 4 as recommended by IMG and accepted by the RFL and the constituent clubs: An expansion strategy - three areas identified for focus for growth - France,  the womens game, London.

4. Nowhere have I seen anything that talks about the phases being implemented in parallel, nor have I seen any mention of growth in London being through the Broncos, not do I believe the RFL have the resources to develop a strategy, plan and tactics for growing the game in London until the grading scheme is completed and up and running.

5. Can anyone help the "debate" by showing more up-to-date reliable info from either the RFL or IMG, please?

Great post.

On points 2 and 4, I do wish that we would do things in parallel. The linear approach frustrates me.

EDIT: On point 3, I can't find a single word to argue with.

Edited September 26 by Archie Gordon

[ATLANTISMAN]

1 hour ago, Magic XIII said:

His grandson but your point is well made. 

Son he is like me an old fart dad

[Henson Park Old Firm]

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/imgs-london-broncos-decision-labelled-crazy-as-club-face-uncertain-future-97401/

 

What's the chance of super leqgue going to 13 teams and london ate saved?

[RP London]

16 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

Great post.

On point 4, I do wish that we would do things in parallel. The linear approach frustrates me.

sometimes that makes no sense though. If they had done this in parallel do you do this with David Hughes or realise he will pull the plug after grading, could grading bring more investors to the RFL table? Does the London Club get its act in gear in the 2 year grading cycle (as some clubs have) meaning that actually you can bring them into the fold etc etc.. some of those are more likely than others but grading could be a big change which you probably want to allow to happen before you start on the hows and whys of expansion which could all change at this one moment in time. 

[Dave T]

19 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

 

EDIT: On point 3, I can't find a single word to argue with.

Well played

[Archie Gordon]

1 minute ago, RP London said:

sometimes that makes no sense though. If they had done this in parallel do you do this with David Hughes or realise he will pull the plug after grading, could grading bring more investors to the RFL table? Does the London Club get its act in gear in the 2 year grading cycle (as some clubs have) meaning that actually you can bring them into the fold etc etc.. some of those are more likely than others but grading could be a big change which you probably want to allow to happen before you start on the hows and whys of expansion which could all change at this one moment in time. 

Another good point.

I wouldn't do very much in collaboration with the Broncos. I'm talking about bringing England games to the capital, sounding out SL clubs about a properly-promoted OTR game there, taking over the Lions Development Pathway programme - all things that benefit London and the Broncos but which can survive their loss and still be worthwhile.

[JohnM]

9 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

Another good point.

I wouldn't do very much in collaboration with the Broncos. I'm talking about bringing England games to the capital, sounding out SL clubs about a properly-promoted OTR game there, taking over the Lions Development Pathway programme - all things that benefit London and the Broncos but which can survive their loss and still be worthwhile.

True. Doesn't sound too onerous.

[RP London]

56 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

Another good point.

I wouldn't do very much in collaboration with the Broncos. I'm talking about bringing England games to the capital, sounding out SL clubs about a properly-promoted OTR game there, taking over the Lions Development Pathway programme - all things that benefit London and the Broncos but which can survive their loss and still be worthwhile.

Ah yes totally agree all those things could easily be happening now. Perhaps its the whole Broncos thing looming over them that has caused an issue, ie do we really want to get people interested only to send them to the basket case that is the broncos right now? But yes I would agree a test in London, couple of on the road games this year and last really wouldn't have been tough but would help keep us relevant (would have loved an England v Tonga game last year in London instead of 2 in Yorkshire, for me Huddersfield [which i went to with my son and he pretty much said never again in huddersfield])..

[Ivarr the Boneless]

Wigan did a pretty well promoted on the road game in London and didn't come back. Given Ian Lenegan was then heavily involved, that's probably revealing.

I fear a lot of RL / Broncos fans down south have moved on and do other things now. They'll probably keep dates clear for an international against good opposition and the Challenge Cup Final, but I suspect the southern presence at any on the road SL matches would be disappointing.

[OriginalMrC]

1 hour ago, Henson Park Old Firm said:

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/imgs-london-broncos-decision-labelled-crazy-as-club-face-uncertain-future-97401/

 

What's the chance of super leqgue going to 13 teams and london ate saved?

How ️ 

Serious about RL is just clickbait. Why would a special case be made for London?

[M j M]

1 hour ago, Henson Park Old Firm said:

https://www.seriousaboutrl.com/imgs-london-broncos-decision-labelled-crazy-as-club-face-uncertain-future-97401/

 

What's the chance of super leqgue going to 13 teams and london ate saved?

Why are you even linking to that BS on here?

[Click]

2 hours ago, Magic XIII said:

His grandson but your point is well made. 

Jack Hughes is David's son, rather than grandson. (I know - he was old when he had him)

[Click]

18 hours ago, Archie Gordon said:

Skolars (and all the other clubs who produced the juniors) might say that these players came through their system originally.

Skolars may have had some juniors, not sure how many. But the Broncos did have the route for those players to come through. We had multiple players every week on dual registration with them at times. 

You can't say they didn't rely heavily on the Broncos pathways.

[JohnM]

3 hours ago, Archie Gordon said:

Great post.

On points 2 and 4, I do wish that we would do things in parallel. The linear approach frustrates me.

EDIT: On point 3, I can't find a single word to argue with.

No but I bet Harry will.

[JohnM]

3 hours ago, Archie Gordon said:

Great post.

On points 2 and 4, I do wish that we would do things in parallel. The linear approach frustrates me.

EDIT: On point 3, I can't find a single word to argue with.

EDIT: On point 3, I can't find a single word to argue with.

I bet Harry will, though.

[Click]

 

[Ivarr the Boneless]

1 hour ago, Click said:

Skolars may have had some juniors, not sure how many. But the Broncos did have the route for those players to come through. We had multiple players every week on dual registration with them at times. 

You can't say they didn't rely heavily on the Broncos pathways.

The Broncos Juniors usually started at someone like Skolars, Hemel, Greenwich or South London. Without their junior development there were no players for the Broncos pathways to develop.

[JM2010]

4 minutes ago, Ivarr the Boneless said:

The Broncos Juniors usually started at someone like Skolars, Hemel, Greenwich or South London. Without their junior development there were no players for the Broncos pathways to develop.

This is the main thing that should be concentrating on in London. Building the community game. Can the RFL find the money to fund development officers and running coaching courses in London? 
If there are more kids playing the game at school and at community clubs then it will be easier for London to be a success 

Edited September 26 by JM2010

[MonkeyGone]

21 hours ago, Click said:

I'll have you know he got his son games at Super League level this year, don't you say it's been for zero!

(Something I still can't believe I ever saw the RL press comment on.. There was even an article I saw a few weeks back "London player speaks out against IMG" and it was Hughes Jr, and they didn't even mention in the article that he is the son of the owner)

All the shares in London Rugby League Limited are actually in the name of Hughes Jr. They were transferred to him in Dec 2022.

[Click]

15 minutes ago, Ivarr the Boneless said:

The Broncos Juniors usually started at someone like Skolars, Hemel, Greenwich or South London. Without their junior development there were no players for the Broncos pathways to develop.

Yes, I am not suggesting that all players started at the Broncos at age 5 and went through. I know community clubs have played a big part of that. But at a certain age they all went into the Broncos pathways to help develop them further. 

[MonkeyGone]

5 hours ago, Magic XIII said:

His grandson but your point is well made. 

I've only ever seen him described as his son. Even by the club's social media.

[Ivarr the Boneless]

18 minutes ago, JM2010 said:

This is the main thing that should be concentrating on in London. Building the community game. Can the RFL find the money to fund development officers and running coaching courses in London? 
If there are more kids playing the game at school and at community clubs then it will be easier for London to be a success 

There used to be a good number of development officers in London. Them the economy cuts came. The junior game down south has never really recovered. There's a school pitch on Tooting largely funded by Rugby League money now used for football...

If Broncos do go they actually won't be too big a loss development wise. They took lads at a certain age and ran. It would be possible to replace that. However with the junior aspect of RL in decline here across the board, it would be a mistake to do so without root and branch reform. This would take money I'm not sure the RFL has.