How to Grow Rugby League in the United States

Exposure. Union C.E.O.s will always treat League as a virus worldwide. Successful marketing, using LEAGUE highlights to spark interest in RUGBY. Exposure in the U.S.A needs to Expose about how this sport was born. Anti Apartheid working class teams from towns and suburbs with local company's names on their Jerseys (sponsorship). Changed the rules and the number of players. Should have Ditched the Tag of Rugby TO Rebel. Most luv the underdog! What happened to the MEN, That showed so much

heart 30 years ago. 2 Marines played in the Forwards (the engine room). Elon Musk should loan u Dustin. His credit card to secure or market a Rematch. The public would dig it. Fuk the politics that changes like the weather. Big Fred put in a Big show. Mark Geyer like. Wonder if he is still around ?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foB6r7sWJto&t=448s

I say this only half in jest: what you may need to do is to get "watering holes" (and not just exclusively sports bars) to put NRL or Super League highlights on the box at a time when there's not a competing "more major sport"-type event on, or even when there is, if they have enough sets. How you manage to convince them to do so is your business and calls upon your ingenuity. Now, this may create more fans than participants, unless many of the usual crowd at such establishments are rugby-bro types who till now have been union because "that's all that's out there." But exposure is what you want, and the word-of-mouth may find its way to potential participants, the more people there are spreading the League gospel.

I live in NY state, and I've even seen "NASCAR bars," if you can believe it. And it goes without saying that in The City, at any rate, there are a few "soccer bars" for aficionados of that code of football. I see no reason you couldn't give this idea a try (worth four points in League, not five...)

Anyhow, that's my not-so-facetious-as-it-may-sound-at-first suggestion.

We'd really like to bring a Canadian masters rugby league team down to the States. Perhaps play a warmup match prior to an open age men's or women's event. Use it as a way to introduce more people to rugby league. All we'd need is 20 to 25 potential players on another team, and we'd teach them as we go if need be. Older players sometimes have an off-field advantage - when the sport needs sponsorship, age opens doors where younger people might not even get the opportunity to be heard. Funding is necessary for the growth of the sport at all levels.

Think the key is getting everyone under the one banner to start with. Parties have had problems with the way it has been governed but with the reform this is the perfect chance for those people to have an input. Get under the banner to allow your input on how it is ran officially by the IRL sanctioned body.

Keep parties happy you could adopt say Championship Rugby League as the official name of the domestic game keeping USARL for the overseeing body. Then you can can have the Pacific coast Division and the Atlantic coast division with a view of getting teams to form a Central division. these can be split however is needed North/South or by state if enough teams. With winners of each division facing of to be crowned winners of the U.S CRL.

Maybe having all players available for Hawks selection even while not under the USARL to try to help with strained relationships.

Would be great for everyone to come together. Should be looking to the future of one day playing The best Canadian and Jamaican domestic team for a North American crown.

Also as always said on the Pod getting these games streamed is a must! As a follower from the UK I’d love nothing more than watching more rugby league than I already do!

Structure: Reformation of the USARL is integral in eliminating the divisiveness and providing a strong foundation for promoting the game, building upon the work, and sacrifice, of current teams/leagues, and strengthening the rugby league community in America.

Solidarity: With a sound governing body, USARL will enable cooperation among teams/leagues whereby they recognize one another less as competitors and more as compatriots of an American rugby league society,

Content: A focus of the revamped USARL is to demonstrate what rugby league is, its history, why it enthralls, and how it can succeed in America. Rugby league will remain a niche athletic competition, however a creative, perhaps unconventional, method(s) of marketing the game will foster interest while stimulating a passion for the game and an enduring desire for its long-term success.

Codification: Everyone is approaching the growth of rugby league in a certain way, whether focused on youth development, playing matches, transparent governance, or partnering with professional leagues outside of America, it is incumbent upon the USARL to acknowledge and unify these efforts under their auspice so that this work is unequivocally supported.

Unconventional: Don't hamper development by the constrictions of convention. Think beyond rugby league's similarity to football or union, and let it stand alone by allowing its uniqueness to capture the imagination of those seeking an alternative athletic competition.

Community: Forming community clubs that have stories to tell, traditions to pass on, and cultures to share will function as the pillars for supporting a prosperous domestic professional league and a respected international competitor.

Basics: Ruby league is analogous to a group of friends forming a band and, after a single practice, wanting to play the largest of European festivals. It's obligatory for the USARL to adhere to the recommendations of the IRL and formulate a strategy for growth founded on fundamental league management and development.

Mobilization: Success will take a massive commitment from everyone who believe in rugby league. USARL should take advantage of the expansive and diverse talent throughout the nation who are active or, wanting to be active, in strengthening rugby league in America.

Players: Athletic talent abounds but relying on former football/union players may not provide a sustainable cache of players. Youth development, introducing the game to HBCUs, Tribal Nations, community colleges, will allow the USARL to tap into communities desiring alternatives to the prescribed athletic competitions currently available. Moreover, the USARL should make player representation an essential element in how the game develops and expands.

3 points. All working with each other and at the same time.

1- youth, there needs to be more of a push of getting current clubs developing youth programs. Could be something simple like 5 to 10 year Olds playing flag rugby but with league rules. Each team try and have a minimum of 3 to 4 code teams. Each home game there be mini games for these flag teams to play each other. (If clubs are close to each other maybe they encourage the youth to travel with them and play )

Maybe teaming up with current local youth programs if available in the area. (Girls Rugby Inc is a good example of what I mean)

2- high school RL. This I know is harder because most athletic kids are in the mind set of prepping for their athletic careers how ever far it goes, but again maybe offering option for players to travel with the senior teams and play game prior or after senior matches could be an option. Because of distance scheduling could be condensed to 4 to 6 games with the Governing Body (USARL) paying for the two best teams or 4 to meet at location to play minimum tournament for championship . Develop a healthy relationship with local Union sides and simply make a pitch /offer the players who want to keep playing rugby in their off season to try RL.

3- womens RL. I understand right away for some teams it'll be hard to field more then 1 club but there has to be Emphasis on after x years teams have to begin the process or have a women's side available.

* once the competition it's self is actually on stable footing ( teams committed for 5 years to play and not folding and forming every other year) get the competition , In what ever form if through USARL or something like the NARL , streaming on twitch, ESPN + or YouTube live.

1. Everyone needs to be on the same page. There's enough confusion between League/Union much less having 3 different organisations claiming they are the official US League. 2. The Audience is already there. Promote it off the back of Football. Highlight the similarities, that both games came from a common ancestor. America already knows this game, they just don't know they do. 3. Involve, but don't rely on the other Leagues. Unfortunately as we saw with Toronto, the other leagues are very much in a "What do we get from this?" mindset. If they want to help with exhibition games and the like then fine, but don't let them suddenly start wanting to get their feet under the table once someone else has done the hard work. 4. League Structure. Get this locked in fast. NFL style divisions, RFL promotion/relegation or NRL style Franchising, whichever it is, get it set and stable. Not knowing what's happening going forward is a good way to scare off investment. 5. Grass Roots. Build the game from the Top down as that seems to work better for US Sports, but plant the seeds for the future. Get into Schools, recruit at High Schools/Colleges. Every kid that can't make the Football team because 'he runs too high' or keeps trying lateral "trick plays" etc. Get them before they give up on Sport as an option. ...man, I went off. I got more but I'll leave it at that for now lol.

Consistent communication and advertising.