Re: Toronto : Wed Oct 09, 2019 4:16 pm  

shinymcshine wrote:

Question - is that how North American sport operates though ? Isn't it all underpinned by franchising and TV deals, rather the frankly outdated UK model that grassroots and self development are key.

If the latter really works then why is the UK game still in such a precarious state ?

The main reason that RL is in such a poor state is that, since Union came out of the closet and became a pro sport, we have not been able to plunder their talent at will and their version of Rugby, with a far better national and international spread, dwarfs RL in just about every aspect of the game and it receives mass coverage from most media outlets and RL has been shoved down the pecking order.

"Grassroots" is a different problem altogether and with the "playstation generation" more happy in front of a screen, than they are in the real world, participation numbers are falling, although this is not by any means exclusive to RL.

These issues, together with the sports abject inability to promote the sport effectively mean that our sport has become even more marginalised.
Although I have issues with Toronto's inclusion, they may well help with our profile but, this still doesn't make them a sensible addition to SL or to the competition over here, which, for me, is just plain bonkers. Around 3500 miles in each direction for a weekly round of SL is just crazy.
Perpignan is far enough and that's roughly 1000 miles (each way).

Re: Toronto : Wed Oct 09, 2019 4:32 pm  

There are now 4 amateur clubs in Toronto. This is the same number as you will find in Leigh and Warrington.
However, Toronto have only been in existence for 3 years not 100.

If we are going to have a “grass roots” discussion is should be aimed at the heart lands where the game is on its arris at grass roots but then that wouldn’t fit the narrative would it

Re: Toronto : Wed Oct 09, 2019 6:37 pm  

Steph Curry wrote:

There are now 4 amateur clubs in Toronto. This is the same number as you will find in Leigh and Warrington.
However, Toronto have only been in existence for 3 years not 100.

If we are going to have a “grass roots” discussion is should be aimed at the heart lands where the game is on its arris at grass roots but then that wouldn’t fit the narrative would it

Yes Leigh has 2 amateur clubs, but I don't think there could be 3, as there aren't any more playing fields in the town, unless a school one was used.
p.s. Wikipedia might be wrong about 4 in Ontario, it could be more or less....the wonders of Google, eh Steph
Did you know Serbia has 17 teams, well you do now !

Re: Toronto : Wed Oct 09, 2019 6:46 pm  

Kennedy wrote:

Is it possible for Toronto lovers not to type the words TV DEAL ? How about typing the words 'Grass Roots Rugby/Canadian Juniors & Academy set up' instead....whoops !

Really??

You think 3 years in existence is enough to set all that up?

Do you have any idea what it takes to run an academy?

You always set up the main team first as that is what will provide the funding and infrastructure for the rest..


Of course TV money is also important, I don't see football or rugby union scoffing at better TV exposure and funding.

Re: Toronto : Wed Oct 09, 2019 8:44 pm  

Steph Curry wrote:

There are now 4 amateur clubs in Toronto. This is the same number as you will find in Leigh and Warrington.
However, Toronto have only been in existence for 3 years not 100.

If we are going to have a “grass roots” discussion is should be aimed at the heart lands where the game is on its arris at grass roots but then that wouldn’t fit the narrative would it

Warrington has rylands, woolston, crosfields, latchford, culcheth eagles and burtonwood Bulldogs. Pretty sure that's 6.

Re: Toronto : Wed Oct 09, 2019 9:51 pm  

Bank quay. 7

Re: Toronto : Wed Oct 09, 2019 10:15 pm  

Moe syslak wrote:

Warrington has rylands, woolston, crosfields, latchford, culcheth eagles and burtonwood Bulldogs. Pretty sure that's 6.

Well said, but Culcheth is nearer to Leigh, than Warrington !

Re: Toronto : Wed Oct 09, 2019 10:19 pm  

Steph Curry wrote:

There are now 4 amateur clubs in Toronto. This is the same number as you will find in Leigh and Warrington.
However, Toronto have only been in existence for 3 years not 100.

Believe (happy to be corrected) that there were 4 Amateur Rugby League Clubs in Toronto at the time of the birth of the Wolfpack. This isn't to take anything away from Toronto on their fantastic achievement thus far and it is my belief that next year SL will be better with them in it and the Championship better without them.

Re: Toronto : Thu Oct 10, 2019 6:57 am  

Budgiezilla wrote:

Yes Leigh has 2 amateur clubs, but I don't think there could be 3, as there aren't any more playing fields in the town, unless a school one was used.
p.s. Wikipedia might be wrong about 4 in Ontario, it could be more or less....the wonders of Google, eh Steph
Did you know Serbia has 17 teams, well you do now !

I didnt google it. It was an announcement from the wolfpac over the weekend that a 4th amateur club has now sprung up to join the other 3.

Amazing really when you consider there are about 10 other team sports being played in toronto to compete with

Re: Toronto : Thu Oct 10, 2019 7:11 am  

Steph Curry wrote:

I didnt google it. It was an announcement from the wolfpac over the weekend that a 4th amateur club has now sprung up to join the other 3.

Amazing really when you consider there are about 10 other team sports being played in toronto to compete with

It's a huge city, with the largest population in the country (around 2.6million). You'd be disappointed if it didn't have those sports on offer.
We played 8 or 9 at our school and there were only around 1000 pupils there

It's utterly irrelevant how many sports are on offer. I'm more concerned with the 7000 mile round trip, just to play for 80 minutes - it's just not sensible and probably not sustainable in the medium to long term..