Gomersall Posted December 20, 2024 Posted December 20, 2024 https://wrl.wales/record-breaking-participation-in-2024 3 3
Damien Posted December 20, 2024 Posted December 20, 2024 4,342 registered players seems a really good number. 1
DoubleD Posted December 20, 2024 Posted December 20, 2024 Good to see a 300% increase in the number of non-binary players. Expect this to be a big growth area in the coming years 1 2
Impartial Observer Posted December 20, 2024 Posted December 20, 2024 I am not sure if they have borrowed the union calculator for some of these numbers. Nearly 800 men registered. As far as I can see there were 7 teams playing in the conference. That means an average of over 100 players per team. 3000 juniors, let us say each team has 30 players. Are there 100 junior teams in Wales? 2
Jack Russell Posted December 20, 2024 Posted December 20, 2024 (edited) Hardly a precise calculation but worth sharing. I recently visited south Wales and whilst there I got talking to my taxi driver about 'rugby'. To his dismay, he was disappointed to tell me of how many lads down south wales were turning to league. I had to come across sympathetic but inside I was jumping for joy. Edited December 20, 2024 by Jack Russell 3 3
welshmagpie Posted December 20, 2024 Posted December 20, 2024 23 minutes ago, Impartial Observer said: I am not sure if they have borrowed the union calculator for some of these numbers. Nearly 800 men registered. As far as I can see there were 7 teams playing in the conference. That means an average of over 100 players per team. 3000 juniors, let us say each team has 30 players. Are there 100 junior teams in Wales? The season started with 8 teams: Swansea, Bridgend, Cynon Valley, Jets, Outlaws, Torfaen, Aberavon, Saints - Swansea withdrew but let’s say they contributed a few registered players also. Cardiff registered men’s players and would’ve been the 9th team but didn’t make the start line, I think the league requires 20 registrations to be eligible for the senior season, I assume they were below that numbers The numbers likely include university players at Cardiff, Swansea and Bangor also. Admittedly we’re not quite near the 800 players registered but there’s hopefully some context there. As for juniors, theres 12 clubs across south Wales running juniors at various ages. That averages at 250 per club. Some clubs run 8s, 10s, 12s, 14s, 16s and even 19s (latter may contribute to men’s numbers) - A few of these clubs field multiple sides per age group. The breakdown for last season was: U16s teams: 8 U14s teams: 9 U13s teams: 7 U12s teams: 10 U10s teams: 12 U8s teams: 11 At the team I helped coach at U16s level we registered 29 players but had anywhere between 11 and 16 on matchdays. Positive numbers nonetheless. 10
welshmagpie Posted December 20, 2024 Posted December 20, 2024 26 minutes ago, Jack Russell said: Hardly a precise calculation but worth sharing. I recently visited south Wales and whilst there I got talking to my taxi driver about 'rugby'. To his dismay, he was disappointed to tell me of how many lads down south wales were turning to league. I had to come across sympathetic but inside I was jumping for joy. Where abouts were you visiting mate?
langpark Posted December 20, 2024 Posted December 20, 2024 1 hour ago, DoubleD said: Good to see a 300% increase in the number of non-binary players. Expect this to be a big growth area in the coming years Is there a separate division for those 3 non-binary players? 1
DoubleD Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 On 20/12/2024 at 20:53, langpark said: Is there a separate division for those 3 non-binary players? It depends on their status. If they’re gender fluid then potentially they could play for men’s or women’s. However if they identify as a unicorn then that could create a whole new exciting rugby league variant 2 1
Griff Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 On 20/12/2024 at 19:43, DoubleD said: Good to see a 300% increase in the number of non-binary players. Expect this to be a big growth area in the coming years The increase is only 200%, so maybe not as exciting as you think. 1 "We'll sell you a seat .... but you'll only need the edge of it!"
gogledd Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 4 hours ago, DoubleD said: It depends on their status. If they’re gender fluid then potentially they could play for men’s or women’s. However if they identify as a unicorn then that could create a whole new exciting rugby league variant The could also be Wheelchair RL players and just play rugby league... 2
gogledd Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 On 20/12/2024 at 20:15, Impartial Observer said: I am not sure if they have borrowed the union calculator for some of these numbers. Nearly 800 men registered. As far as I can see there were 7 teams playing in the conference. That means an average of over 100 players per team. 3000 juniors, let us say each team has 30 players. Are there 100 junior teams in Wales? Do the figures include Wheelchair RL, juniors, minis and Masters RL? There are mens teams playing in North Wales too.
gingerjon Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 2 minutes ago, gogledd said: Do the figures include Wheelchair RL, juniors, minis and Masters RL? There are mens teams playing in North Wales too. "The introduction of the Invitational League in the last two seasons has helped to boost participation in Wheelchair rugby league, with almost 100 people now registered." They're mentioned in the statement so assume so. 1 Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett)
Dunbar Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 (edited) Some really encouraging numbers in there, particularly the growth in junior players. While some of my favourite Rugby League players came from Welsh Union converts, having a thriving community game is only the real sustainable growth strategy. Edited December 22, 2024 by Dunbar 3 "The history of the world is the history of the triumph of the heartless over the mindless." — Sir Humphrey Appleby. "If someone doesn't value evidence, what evidence are you going to provide to prove that they should value it? If someone doesn't value logic, what logical argument could you provide to show the importance of logic?" — Sam Harris
Pie tries Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 On 20/12/2024 at 20:23, Jack Russell said: Hardly a precise calculation but worth sharing. I recently visited south Wales and whilst there I got talking to my taxi driver about 'rugby'. To his dismay, he was disappointed to tell me of how many lads down south wales were turning to league. I had to come across sympathetic but inside I was jumping for joy. Nope - never show them any sympathy. The response could have been 'come join us - we (RL) are your natural fellow rugby bed fellows, not rah rah
Pie tries Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 Is there any amateur participation in North Wales? There was a junior team in the NWC few years back - is there any positives in terms of teams off the back of NWC ?
Leyther_Matt Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 3 minutes ago, Pie tries said: Is there any amateur participation in North Wales? There was a junior team in the NWC few years back - is there any positives in terms of teams off the back of NWC ? Salford have a link with junior teams in North Wales, don’t they?
Pie tries Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 Just now, Leyther_Matt said: Salford have a link with junior teams in North Wales, don’t they? South Wales - I think. They do have several promising youngsters in their ranks, which is great to see. We need a very strong amateur presence in Cardiff.....
Leyther_Matt Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 3 minutes ago, Pie tries said: South Wales - I think. They do have several promising youngsters in their ranks, which is great to see. We need a very strong amateur presence in Cardiff..... Wasn’t aware it extended that far (presumably it’s for the whole of Wales and not just the south, then) Was only because I noticed a young lad wearing a Salford academy top at a game at Colwyn Bay last season which I’m sure had a north Wales team on it but could be wrong
langpark Posted December 22, 2024 Posted December 22, 2024 31 minutes ago, Pie tries said: Is there any amateur participation in North Wales? There was a junior team in the NWC few years back - is there any positives in terms of teams off the back of NWC ? Conwy Celts: https://www.facebook.com/conwycelts There were Wrexham Crusaders but their last post on social media was over a year ago, so I am not sure if they still exist. Bangor University has a team: https://www.instagram.com/bangor_rl/?hl=en - https://www.facebook.com/groups/347093551474054/?mibextid=K35XfP And Crusaders it seems run quite a bit of activity across the region: https://www.northwalescrusadersrlfc.co.uk/meet-the-team 1
gogledd Posted December 27, 2024 Posted December 27, 2024 (edited) There were teams at Bangor Buffaloes, Clwyd Cobras, Conwy Celts, Mon Knights, Flintshire Falcons, Rhyl and Prestatyn (Panthers?) and Wrexham Crusaders who all fed into the North Wales Origin regional side but I'm not sure how many are still active. North Wales Buccaneers have increased player numbers at Masters RL level and North Wales Crusaders still have two squads playing Wheelchair RL and the womens team completed their second season in 2024. https://www.northwalesrl.com/ Edited December 27, 2024 by gogledd 3
Pie tries Posted December 28, 2024 Posted December 28, 2024 I know we have no spare £££s, but we need a team in Cardiff. Regional RU is on its knees in Wales, there is a massive market for entertaining rugby down there, there is a huge opportunity for RL to fill this void - a real alternative to the regional mess that is pro RU in S.Wales 1
Gerrumonside ref Posted December 28, 2024 Posted December 28, 2024 Great to read these participation numbers across the formats. 1
Eddie Posted December 28, 2024 Posted December 28, 2024 6 hours ago, Pie tries said: I know we have no spare £££s, but we need a team in Cardiff. Regional RU is on its knees in Wales, there is a massive market for entertaining rugby down there, there is a huge opportunity for RL to fill this void - a real alternative to the regional mess that is pro RU in S.Wales Even if there were wealthy people in S Wales prepared to give that another go, most of the 11 M62 SL clubs wouldn’t want them in anyway, or they’d make them pay everyone’s travel costs and to enter the challenge cup. 1
Salford Devil Posted December 28, 2024 Posted December 28, 2024 There is a wealth of talent in Wales and I have known many Welsh lads that love RL. It always seems a real pity to me the game has never really had the money, or will, to establish strong professional clubs there. 1
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