Canada 4 England Lions 68 - crowd: 5,012

[Bluebags1908]

http://www.canadarugbyleague.com/site/eng/news/article.php?id=10199

The scoreline is to be expected, but after a few even match-ups in previous internationals, I guess it was time the Canadians took on a team with a step up in class. This hit out will be good for them.

But what about the crowd? 5,012 is a new record for them - they just keep getting better.

 

[Sam_the_man]

Fantastic crowd. League really has bounced back in Canada after the game died in the late 60's their.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

Well done Canada all round, very impressive for an emerging nation.

And well done to the Poms for not holding back and showing the Canadians how to play Rugby League.

 

[yakstorm]

Even more impressive crowd considering the bad weather... if they had decent weather I'm sure they would have had at least another 500-odd on top of the 5K they announced.

Anyway that's crowds of 4,600 (Jamaica), 2,400 (Lebanon), 4,700 (USA) and 5,000 (England) for Canada's internationals this year... interesting England appeared to be the biggest draw card, I would have thought USA would have been the bigger appeal...

 

[deluded pom?]

That 5,000 crowd will compare favourably to some of the attendances in the upcoming England/Wales/France tournament.

 

[adamkungl]

That crowd is awesome. Canada could be a real smokey in the next 10 years. Keep working on that domestic setup guys!

 

[spooky]

... interesting England appeared to be the biggest draw card, I would have thought USA would have been the bigger appeal...

There are a lot of English expats in Toronto and they were noticable in the crowd. I saw quite a few Superleague shirts.

 

[deluded pom?]

Who were you cheering for spooky?

 

[Sydney Knight]

Well done to Canada on the crowd. Also credit to the guys who have arranged all these international games over the last couple of years. Great effort when you consider they started from nothing.

 

[Masoe_eats_babies]

How are the Canadians doing it though? What's going on over there. They seem to be having real success as far as pulling crowds go.

 

[deal.with.it]

How are the Canadians doing it though? What's going on over there. They seem to be having real success as far as pulling crowds go.

When you have a schedule of 4+ matches within a few months, you can afford to give free tickets and then aim for repeat visits.
Even if none of the 5000 fans paid entry (which wasn't the case) you would probably still profit from food, drink, merchandise.
They gave away a bucket load of tickets for that first match against Lebanon, pulled a big crowd of 4000+, and have now most likely got a fan base that will continue to keep coming back.
On twitter there's been plenty of new fans tweeting about the game, and plenty of fans saying they will buy season tickets for next year!
If more nations had a guaranteed international schedule, they could afford to market their matches like the Canadians.

 

[druzik]

When you have a schedule of 4+ matches within a few months, you can afford to give free tickets and then aim for repeat visits.
Even if none of the 5000 fans paid entry (which wasn't the case) you would probably still profit from food, drink, merchandise.
They gave away a bucket load of tickets for that first match against Lebanon, pulled a big crowd of 4000+, and have now most likely got a fan base that will continue to keep coming back.
On twitter there's been plenty of new fans tweeting about the game, and plenty of fans saying they will buy season tickets for next year!
If more nations had a guaranteed international schedule, they could afford to market their matches like the Canadians.

Its smart promoting. Plus Eric and Corey have background in that kind of thing and now how to run and promote events.

Though the domestic comp in Ontario didn't hitch off this year, I am sure that they will get it going next year. They seem to have a long term plan for where the sport is going.

The Canadians have a goal and a plans and path to get there. There will be some slips and trips, as you always get, but they have a consistent product. Fans know what they are getting and there are no surprises. They know from the start of te year the dates when the team is playing.

Most other countries just don't have that level of organisation. Plus Corey and Eric do CRL full time. Its not a part time thing for them. Its all or nothing... and it makes a big difference.

 

[Evil Homer]

If the CRL could attract even 1/10th of this crowd to a domestic fixture then they'd be onto a winner. Hopefully the competition materializes next year otherwise they might plateau, certainly in terms of on-field standard at least.

 

[Broncos thats my team]

BC had a full season this year.

 

[clarency]

That's they key really. They need the domestic season going to up the standard of the team. And hopefully get a cross country origin thingymijiggy going.

 

[Sam_the_man]

The world cup is next year. If or when it makes a profit then countries like Canada, Fiji, Wales and a few others should be given priority to recieve development funds.

 

[spooky]

Who were you cheering for spooky?

Canada of course.

That said it's hard not to cheer for the Wolverines when you're sat on their subs bench sharing a blanket with them It was bloody cold!

 

[Craigo]

The world cup is next year. If or when it makes a profit then countries like Canada, Fiji, Wales and a few others should be given priority to recieve development funds.

I think the last World Cup made 5 million profit.

 

[elbusto]

Mate of mine played for Canada - Lincoln Blake-Bowman. Tough lill hombre!

 

[gyallop]

This crowd for a non test was great , Scotland V Ireland drew 746!

Canada needs to be careful what it calls its team for these types of games or they will get the same criticism as the USA.