Thank you to all the people on the forums who have helped increase the profile of RL in the USA. I am grateful to have been part of a very passionate group of people in Jacksonville, the 3 expansion cities in the Southeast and the USA in general.
After growing 3 teams in 2012 & 2013 in Orlando, Daytona and Tampa, as well as the Jacksonville "Hatchets", for a minor league system that operated below the Axemen, we announced the creation of the Atlanta Rhinos, Central Florida Warriors, and Tampa Mayhem in 2014. In just two short years, the operating groups in those cities grew their teams to be so competitive that last year all 4 teams in the South were a chance of the Title into the Semi Finals. And the Atlanta Rhinos proving the best of the 4 by winning the SE Championship, WITHOUT any import players, and being coached by two AMERICANS! Only two years to level up to the standard that the Axemen had grown into. That effort from all those passionate men, is nothing short of amazing.
As of this week, the change over of ownership to each of the three operating groups is now complete, and all 3 expansion teams are now OWNED and operated by their respective investors. I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with these men, and without any doubt believe in their passion for Rugby League, and their business acumen to drive their teams into a bright future.
You can see the first of these announcements at the Tampa Mayhem site, and on their facebook page.
I ask each of you to get to know the new owners at each of the teams, and help them grow their individual teams, and the BRAND that they are now invested in. Like their facebook pages, share their news, and help if possible as they now take over the Greatest Game Of All in their respective cities.
I honestly feel that this group of men, hold the same passion and desires for the game that Drew and Myself have done since the creation of the Axemen in 2006. I am very proud and honored that they found us, agreed to partner with us in 2014, and could not have wished for better groups to continue the work, that THEY have been a VERY LARGE part of for the past 2 years. I thank each and everyone of them for allowing me an opportunity to work with them.
There will also be an announcement coming soon in regards to a 25% owner/investor opportunity with the Jacksonville Axemen.
Again, I also thank each of you for the part you played in getting Rugby League to this stage in the USA.
I will remain involved from afar, as much as possible, or as asked, in any way I can.
And for those who have asked, my reasons for moving on from the USA are personal, and there is most certainly nothing negative about anything to do with the health of the game here. I have stepped down from both the USARL LLC. and INC. boards, but have total faith in everything involved. I was proud to see the USA Hawks advance to the World Cup with a team made up of 14 domestic players, and know that the standard of domestic Rugby League is only going to improve each year.
For those who care, I let you all know when I actually move, and where that move takes me.
After playing my first game of Rugby League for the USA almost 20 years ago, and especially since the creation of the Axemen in 2006, there are just way too many people to thank by name, so to them all, thank you for letting me be part of the passion we all hold for the growth of this great game.
