If the RFL see sense, they should kick TWP out of SL and tell Ottawa that a Canadian team playing their “home” games in Leigh is not acceptable. Having said that, it will be interesting to see how the Widnes second team gets on on League 1.
What doesn’t get talked about enough regarding “expansion” is the local demographics of already established SL clubs. I am not expert but cities such as Bradford and Leeds have a huge Asian population yet this isn’t reflected in their fan bases. St Helens has a larger scouse overflow in the town yet very few follow RL.
My point is, how do they expect expansion to be successful when clubs cannot even sell and get new local demographics on board in their own cities? Evidently, this shows that masses of people don’t just fall in love with a new sport, a few do but very few.
You have a point there Spike, even our support is a small % of the Borough or the actual town. Maybe it comes down to a small minority of a bigger population is a bigger number of spectators?
The status of 'city' I reckon doesn't bother supporters or potential supporters as much as it attracts the Sky salespersons.
Our game generally doesn't market the fantastic skills of the players enough. We have the acrobatic try-scorers of course, but we also have passing and sidestepping skills etc, hardly seen in RU. Perhaps some pictorial marketing would help?
Warrington is the biggest example of that, over 200,000 live there yet their crowds average 12,000. In terms, of big city rugby league you’d think after Sheffield, London, Gateshead and Paris, that the games authorities would get the message but evidently not.
I take your point regarding marketing but sometimes view rugby league we from a partisan point of view, I use to work in London and many of the lads I worked with were all aware of RL and had seen it on sky and bbc but not many were impressed. RL has had years of decent exposure on Sky and BBC, much more than most sports are afforded.
But who on the Sky team actually stresses the skills visually? The try scorers are celebrated but that only gets to those watching the game any way.
I doubt that there is much that would turn soccer supporters to watch our game tbh. Success would inspire local support but even that is hard to come by. We can only grow in strength slowly and a money machine isn't guaranteed either.
Ateam that plays good attractive rugby is essential ans, given that, the town suppressed by Covid 19, might just respond. We can only hope!
Now Ashall-Bott is going Ottawa. Anyone else we can think of who may be next? Paul Hansbury as kit man? The old Kemik as the Ottawa Flying Ace?
Might ask them if they want a podcast doing!
You always get one ready to cash in, don't you? (lol)
Just a thought. This thread is about McGrath Leuluai leaving the club after 10 years service. Whilst he split opinion of fans, most did not question his commitment. I wonder whether the club intend to invite Leuluai to a game at some time to enable the fans to show appreciation of his service to the club - or has he returned home?
I disagree Frank, yes I understand your thinking and to a certain extent I agree commercial viability is significant but I don’t think that route enhances the game. Last season, we had London vs Leeds, London vs Hull, Leeds vs Hull, big city rugby league yet the viewing figures didn’t improve much.
It is okay saying attendances aren’t important and having cities involved in the comp enhances the product but ultimately, you could set up teams in Coventry, Bristol, Newcastle and Liverpool but without any real support from them cities, viewing figures on sky do not improve and game doesn’t improve.
And isn't this what Sky want? To them it is, in presentation terms, a game show. The RU made it that when they basically stole the name 'Rugby' and made the point that our game is 'Super League'. We have never taken them to task over that so far as I can see, maybe we don't want to upset Sky, but we as Championship teams are now lost in between.
The loss of the Rugby tag really does upset me because (sorry for repeating old posts) it prevents us from trying to get into the Olympics with 7 a-side. OK its a no mark game but don't our youngsters deserve a chance to become Olympians? Super League stars probably don't give a toss but I am positive that given the chance our youngsters would grab the chance with both hands, and it would get the teams in the non-SL areas some publicity.
If anyone can spread some light on the loss of name I would like to hear it in case I am talking garbage!
Now Ashall-Bott is going Ottawa. Anyone else we can think of who may be next? Paul Hansbury as kit man? The old Kemik as the Ottawa Flying Ace?
Might ask them if they want a podcast doing!
Might have to go through a certain agent first......
I know RU gets a bigger payout from Sky but what is the comparison in viewing figures
Halifax 413,000 population ?
Halifax 413,000 population ?
Not sure where that came from - Halifax Nova Scotia - next entrant to SL!!!!
Halifax West Yorkshire 164,000 in Halifax post code area
The debate on how much depth there is when it comes to our supporter base. For every one person I know in the town who goes to the matches I know 5 more who have an interest in Rugby League or have been to matches in the past but haven’t been for years.
What would it take to get these back to the stadium again? I know been successful is the easy answer but this goes back deeper. During our golden era, one week we could get 4,500 thr next we could 13,000, polarising.
There are so many alternative entertainments available now though, many bought and paid for via the TV programming. We have games on TV and, because of TV , live club games over four or five days a week, making personal attendance a lottery if you have other constituents or family claims on your time.
This variation of 'game day' makes ST purchase impractical for many. ST purchase is attractive if you know that you can attend most games. If that is unlikely or impossible why buy one? Many are happier with the old 'walk up' system for this reason and it is even more attractive if your team's football is variable and inconsistent.
SL is a TV game and has to satisfy Sky's wishes. The Championship gets precious little directly from TV appearances and would, imo, gain from a settled game day system.