Comments on: The Domestic Season Ski’s on!

By: Jon

Jon — Sun, 17 Jan 2010 12:30:07 +0000

After a long and sometimes worrying silence some news from the Catalan Rugby League.
They were recognised for the work ‘to reward their efforts to defend our selections and promotion of sport in our country’ by the Catalan government.

http://www.rugbylliga.cat/noticia/lacrl-premiada-amb-la-insignia-dor-de-la-plataforma-proseleccions-144

By: druzik

druzik — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:15:09 +0000

Jon I think you live out there no? So you prob have the best idea on how things are with calling them But I think because Catalonia is not a separate country then for classification purposes its been called Spain.

For those that don’t know there is a fairly strong local RL comp based around Barcelona and surrounding towns and also a University competition.

By: druzik

druzik — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 22:11:07 +0000

Yes this year its the first year its been using loicals. in 2007 and 2008 they had a “domestic comp” which was a mixture of OS players and a few local Union players to promote and set up the sport, but this is the first year of just locals playing. Like you say its only 2 teams but at least its a start.

Poland I am hoping to be involved in in some way (being of Polish parentage and all) I have in the past looked at it myself but the rumour is that there is someone in Poland that actually wants to get it going, haven’t heard any more than that for now.

The player placement would be an interesting proposition… it will be interesting to see how the talent scouting would be done and how many teams would be willing to come on board. From what I know the target is not NRL clubs but other pro/semi-pro clubs in the CRL and lower tier leagues.

By: Jon

Jon — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 13:28:03 +0000

Spain?

By: Robbo

Robbo — Fri, 15 Jan 2010 02:03:05 +0000

Great blog Druzik, I didn’t realise that Malta had a domestic comp, albeit 2 sides but it is a foundation to build on. And interesting news on Poland, hopefully the rumours turn out to be true and we can add another country to the ever growing list of RL playing nations.

The rumour about a venture to place overseas players from developing nations is an interesting one and would love to see it come to fruition.

By: Joel

Joel — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 10:54:26 +0000

Even though im from CQ and bias haha. CQ has the most to gain from a NRL club, its so boring here that most people in their right mind will want to go to the games even from an hour of few away and the economic benefit will also strengthen the region, we would have passionate fans and most of the other more serious bids already National sporting teams, so would be a bit more special for a RL mad CQ.

We have a stack of juniors, passionate fans, the CEO, the history, the players, just need the team!

Players like: Mal Meninga, PJ Marsh, Duncan Hall, John Wittenberg, Alan McIndoe, Kaufusi, Rod Reddy, Cyril Connell Jnr (24+ games for QLD), Rhys Wesser, Matt Sing, David Taylor, Ben Hunt, Jamie Simpson, Steve Bell, Hetherington, Larson and many many more are all from CQ.

If Mackay were to be included this list would largely increase, (they do have a couple of Mackay bid people on board, but they may stay with NQLD), instead of getting a possible chance to get 1 NRL game a season or preseason trials.

By: druzik

druzik — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 04:27:26 +0000

Your was a very good blog sportsmad… thanks for the comment.

Yes it is a shame about the Japan v Portugal match, but its preseason and so clubs will be reluctant to release players. I think this is why we need to have the season really split into well defined parts so that these things can be avoided.

I am in contact with the Japanese so will find out what I can.

Yes CQ is prepresenting a region, but in reality all the clubs do that. Brisbane is a “region”, so is the Gold coast, Newcastle is more than just a city but represents that whole hunter region (at the momnet) Same with Canberra and the ACT and the warriors and NZ… so the precedent is there really… even Wests tigers is representing a large region within Sydney.

By: sportsmad

sportsmad — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:58:42 +0000

thanks for the praise dan.
great blog today, love the rumours part especially.
i cant belive the japan/portuagal game is cancelled!! i planned my first trip to cabramatta that day!! please let me know of any info on rescheduling.
my only scheptisism on the CQ bid is that it represents a region. people will have to be very commited to the club to travel from far an wide like they do to cowboys games. monday night footy would be a no go for the team.
i too hope for perth (after my wellington support of course) but as i said, i think CC are a shoe in.

By: druzik

druzik — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 03:03:56 +0000

Yes, Its a bit frustrating that the South Africans don’t update or let people know whats happening more often… but I will get info out of them one way or another lol.

Also I forgot to mention that the NRLUS is back in the headlines still aiming for a 2010 start… but no real new news and most fans are still scheptical since the website is not changing at all.

Some news on Portugal… seems that many of their players were not released from clubs for the match and so had to call it off due to this… I hope that Japan will get a match or two in their tour and also I hear will play an international 9’s tournament somewhere… details to come.

I do think CQ is a better bet, them and perth have to increase the TV audiences, but again what needs to happen is that CH9 have to show all the games live, not do what they do in Melbourne which is just a travesty.

By: Joel

Joel — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 01:09:02 +0000

Interesting news from all comps.
Agreed, CQ are a must for the NRL, we’ve produced some of the Greats and Legends of the game.