Re: Why we need a presence in the capital : Thu Nov 21, 2013 10:14 am
gutterfax wrote:
Certain sections of the RL heartland brigade point to the Skolars and their improvement as the "way forward"....what they fail to acknowledge is that it is only through picking up London Broncos/Harlequins yoof that the Skolars have kicked on.
These kids will be lost to Union or to rugby altogether if there isn't a clear local pathway to professional League....London Broncos have trouble getting northerners to come south even when we are paying them a decent wage...if local kids don't see a local team then they won't be interested. IMHO that is.
Lastly...the private investment model hasn't worked in London and I doubt it ever truly will.....it's time for the RFL to start paying for its own expansion.
These kids will be lost to Union or to rugby altogether if there isn't a clear local pathway to professional League....London Broncos have trouble getting northerners to come south even when we are paying them a decent wage...if local kids don't see a local team then they won't be interested. IMHO that is.
Lastly...the private investment model hasn't worked in London and I doubt it ever truly will.....it's time for the RFL to start paying for its own expansion.
I agree with all this. Specifically on the last point, I believe that a successful London club is essential if Rugby League is ever going to progress (in terms of sponsorship, better TV deals etc). If other SL clubs could see that they would have the same percentage slice, but of a far larger cake, maybe that would assist with a more centralised strategy.