Seattle Force not aligning with either league

[Spitty]

Seattle Rugby League Due to a change in plans for the Seattle Rugby League and its involvement within the AMNRL, we will not be holding tryouts at the date originally planned for.

Instead, Seattle will strive to create a market within the community of Seattle prior to affiliating themselves with any Governing body.

This does not mean we are ending our journey. Seattle still aims to be a driving 'force' for Seattle in rugby league.

From: http://www.seattlerugbyleague.com/ (Look at the facebook update on the right side of the screen about half way down the page)

Interesting decision. Probably smart really, but quite a backflip from where they were aiming.

I know their is a rep from Seattle Force on this forum perhaps we could get a little more info on this change of position.

Has this split been the catalyst for this decision? And if so how has it affected what you guys were aiming for?

 

[joshreading]

I have thought that they should form their own League (essentially independant of either AMNRL and USARL) but retain relationship with BOTH. This would be their initial move and reserve the right to play the champions of BOTH East Coast Competitions. In time, the dust will settle and the wider issues will be resolved. Also by doing so they can become the glue that keeps the wider game together. I am pretty sure both competitions would be open to such an idea. (it can be said that it is this or NOTHING)

 

[SeattleForce]

Interesting decision. Probably smart really, but quite a backflip from where they were aiming.

...


Has this split been the catalyst for this decision? And if so how has it affected what you guys were aiming for?

We see it as quite the opposite from a backflip to be honest, though I know where you're coming from.

From past efforts to develop Rugby League in the US, and after many failures, I can envision people's reactions as the following - :roll:

Since moving forward with this project, we have had the nothing but good input from gentlemen such as David Niu, Loren Broussard, Spinner, Ryan McGough and many more people affiliated with the current AMNRL, as well as the newly formed USARL.

The AMNRL/USARL split has NOT played a part in any way to the decision to back out of the AMNRL Western Expansion.

We feel that we Seattle has the potential to be a (excuse the pun) huge force in the Rugby League market- which is why it is imperative that we not get too ahead of ourselves.

To form a team of blokes with minimum knowledge of the game, no chemistry and, worst of all, no opponents close by, would be detrimental to the development of Rugby League in Seattle.

What we would rather do in Seattle to ensure success is to build our model from the ground up prior to offering Seattle an amateur / semi-pro team to compete nationally.
What that means is developing Rugby League through schools, bringing together 4-6 Seattle or Washington based teams and holding tournaments and/or seasons based in Seattle for a few months out of a year. That way we can begin to create our own market, entice sponsors and guarantee success.

We are not wanting to promise Seattle the World, only to not deliver!

I hope this answers any and all of your questions. I understand it may have seemed pretty abrupt. If there are any questions, feel free to ask

 

[bobmar28]

All I can say is please keep us informed.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

All I can say is that no other team in either league will ever be able to match Seattle's ability in wet weather.

 

[juro]

We see it as quite the opposite from a backflip to be honest, though I know where you're coming from.

From past efforts to develop Rugby League in the US, and after many failures, I can envision people's reactions as the following - :roll:

Since moving forward with this project, we have had the nothing but good input from gentlemen such as David Niu, Loren Broussard, Spinner, Ryan McGough and many more people affiliated with the current AMNRL, as well as the newly formed USARL.

The AMNRL/USARL split has NOT played a part in any way to the decision to back out of the AMNRL Western Expansion.

We feel that we Seattle has the potential to be a (excuse the pun) huge force in the Rugby League market- which is why it is imperative that we not get too ahead of ourselves.

To form a team of blokes with minimum knowledge of the game, no chemistry and, worst of all, no opponents close by, would be detrimental to the development of Rugby League in Seattle.

What we would rather do in Seattle to ensure success is to build our model from the ground up prior to offering Seattle an amateur / semi-pro team to compete nationally.
What that means is developing Rugby League through schools, bringing together 4-6 Seattle or Washington based teams and holding tournaments and/or seasons based in Seattle for a few months out of a year. That way we can begin to create our own market, entice sponsors and guarantee success.

We are not wanting to promise Seattle the World, only to not deliver!

I hope this answers any and all of your questions. I understand it may have seemed pretty abrupt. If there are any questions, feel free to ask

What you have said makes a lot of sense. Better to build up the skill level so you will be able to be competitive (or more). Like the band who practises in the garage for months before playing their first gig...

 

[SeattleForce]

All I can say is please keep us informed.

Certainly will. I'm pretty active on these boards- when I say active, I mean I lurk, and post only when needed. But, I'll be around!

Be sure to also check our FB and website too for more info!

All I can say is that no other team in either league will ever be able to match Seattle's ability in wet weather.

This is true! :lol:

Imagine what we'll play like when it's... DRY!!!???!!!

What you have said makes a lot of sense. Better to build up the skill level so you will be able to be competitive (or more). Like the band who practises in the garage for months before playing their first gig...

At the end of the day, we can always throw together a team to compete against another team... It just comes down to what the skill level of that came would consist of. Will it be desirable enough to sell to the Seattle market who have no idea what rugby league is.

ME: I'm starting a rugby league team!

OTHER PERSON: Awesome- I love rugby. Those lineouts are crazy, man!

ME: ...... Yeah :sarcasm:




The support for Seattle's Rugby League development does not go unnoticed either. Appreciate it fellas!

 

[Skeletor]

This is true! :lol:

Imagine what we'll play like when it's... DRY!!!???!!!

I can just imagine how well you'll play on both the dry days Seattle gets a year. ;-)

 

[deluded pom?]

I can just imagine how well you'll play on both the dry days Seattle gets a year. ;-)

Global warming has doubled the number of dry days Seattle gets now?

 

[yakstorm]

Full credit Seattle Force for the change in direction. As you said, pulling together a team for the slaughter doesn't do anyone any good, especially with the long distances between teams in the Western Expansion concept, and of course if you ever played anyone from the Eastern Conference it would be a massive ask for the Force to compete.

Developing a local league at any level/age group will give a lot stronger foundations to any future national Seattle team.

I know ideally you'd like to keep things closer, but considering there is a chance there will be a couple of CRL clubs in Vancouver this year, maybe that can help form the basis to your local-league? That said I'm not familiar with how easy/difficult it is to run sports competitions between Canada and the USA.

 

[RedVee]

Sounds like a good plan. Good luck Seattle.

 

[ParraEelsNRL]

I agree, good luck with everything.

 

[Spitty]

We see it as quite the opposite from a backflip to be honest, though I know where you're coming from.

From past efforts to develop Rugby League in the US, and after many failures, I can envision people's reactions as the following - :roll:

Since moving forward with this project, we have had the nothing but good input from gentlemen such as David Niu, Loren Broussard, Spinner, Ryan McGough and many more people affiliated with the current AMNRL, as well as the newly formed USARL.

The AMNRL/USARL split has NOT played a part in any way to the decision to back out of the AMNRL Western Expansion.

We feel that we Seattle has the potential to be a (excuse the pun) huge force in the Rugby League market- which is why it is imperative that we not get too ahead of ourselves.

To form a team of blokes with minimum knowledge of the game, no chemistry and, worst of all, no opponents close by, would be detrimental to the development of Rugby League in Seattle.

What we would rather do in Seattle to ensure success is to build our model from the ground up prior to offering Seattle an amateur / semi-pro team to compete nationally.
What that means is developing Rugby League through schools, bringing together 4-6 Seattle or Washington based teams and holding tournaments and/or seasons based in Seattle for a few months out of a year. That way we can begin to create our own market, entice sponsors and guarantee success.

We are not wanting to promise Seattle the World, only to not deliver!

I hope this answers any and all of your questions. I understand it may have seemed pretty abrupt. If there are any questions, feel free to ask

Thanks heaps for your response Seattle Force and I do agree and like the direction your heading in.

I only used the word Backflip, because you were heading in one direction, which seemed to be to assembling a team to compete at some level and then cancelled that to take this new direction. Perhaps backflip was a too harsh a word, it's seems more like a re-assessment of the sitution now.

Cheers.

 

[biggestbroncosfan]

Full credit Seattle Force for the change in direction. As you said, pulling together a team for the slaughter doesn't do anyone any good, especially with the long distances between teams in the Western Expansion concept, and of course if you ever played anyone from the Eastern Conference it would be a massive ask for the Force to compete.

Developing a local league at any level/age group will give a lot stronger foundations to any future national Seattle team.

I know ideally you'd like to keep things closer, but considering there is a chance there will be a couple of CRL clubs in Vancouver this year, maybe that can help form the basis to your local-league? That said I'm not familiar with how easy/difficult it is to run sports competitions between Canada and the USA.

I believe Portland is also close by for the Seattle team to travel

 

[Evil Homer]

So what's the plan now? What's the next step?

 

[SeattleForce]

Yes, we are still interested in the concept of having possible tournaments between Canadian based teams, as well as Portland, and I see that as a huge possibility perhaps later on in the year, or possibly for 2012.

It is my belief that the AMNRL bit off a little too much than they could chew and/or did not have the right personnel in order to execute such an expansion. I do not think the West Coast, the USofA or the Rugby League World was quite ready for such an expansion.

That said- what is the next step?

Having spoken to the numerous Rugby Union teams that Seattle has to offer, our plan is to develop a local rugby union competition comprising of some or all of these clubs. It would be an off-season schedule and would allow players to play most of the year round, instead of such a long off-season. It would allow the players to maintain, and possibly increase, their fitness, skills and a range of other desirable attributes required to play League/Union at a high level.

This would also allow Seattle Rugby League to develop a league with players whom are already familiar or interested with the game of League, allowing us to put on higher quality games for audience viewing.

Also, with a greater presence of Rugby League in Seattle, as opposed to ONE team, it should also allow us to break into the school scene and begin developing the game for the future kids.

As much as we would love to have the bragging rights to semi-pro team within 12 months of operating, we believe the true form of success will be having rugby league as a recognized sport within the community. Perhaps not on the level of the Seahawks, the Storm or the Sounders, but we believe that given the persistence, the Seattle Force could, one day, be up there.

We have committed ourselves to the development of Rugby League in Seattle and the US.

We appreciate the recognition thus far, as well as the support from the many fans and believers. Kudos to you guys!



All that being said- Yes, Seattle has doubled its amount of dry days from 0.5 to 1.0! HA!

 

[biggestbroncosfan]

Yes, we are still interested in the concept of having possible tournaments between Canadian based teams, as well as Portland, and I see that as a huge possibility perhaps later on in the year, or possibly for 2012.

It is my belief that the AMNRL bit off a little too much than they could chew and/or did not have the right personnel in order to execute such an expansion. I do not think the West Coast, the USofA or the Rugby League World was quite ready for such an expansion.

That said- what is the next step?

Having spoken to the numerous Rugby Union teams that Seattle has to offer, our plan is to develop a local rugby union competition comprising of some or all of these clubs. It would be an off-season schedule and would allow players to play most of the year round, instead of such a long off-season. It would allow the players to maintain, and possibly increase, their fitness, skills and a range of other desirable attributes required to play League/Union at a high level.

This would also allow Seattle Rugby League to develop a league with players whom are already familiar or interested with the game of League, allowing us to put on higher quality games for audience viewing.

Also, with a greater presence of Rugby League in Seattle, as opposed to ONE team, it should also allow us to break into the school scene and begin developing the game for the future kids.

As much as we would love to have the bragging rights to semi-pro team within 12 months of operating, we believe the true form of success will be having rugby league as a recognized sport within the community. Perhaps not on the level of the Seahawks, the Storm or the Sounders, but we believe that given the persistence, the Seattle Force could, one day, be up there.

We have committed ourselves to the development of Rugby League in Seattle and the US.

We appreciate the recognition thus far, as well as the support from the many fans and believers. Kudos to you guys!



All that being said- Yes, Seattle has doubled its amount of dry days from 0.5 to 1.0! HA!

That would be a better idea for now then just jumping straight into a national competition, build the support first (especially youth teams), then join the league. Good luck to the Seattle Force and i believe one day they will be up there with the Seahawks

 

[SeattleForce]

That would be a better idea for now then just jumping straight into a national competition, build the support first (especially youth teams), then join the league. Good luck to the Seattle Force and i believe one day they will be up there with the Seahawks

Thanks for the support mate as we explain all people to ask, we're not looking to compete with the Seahawks,, or the NFL, but rather to provide a different alternative for sport fans. Would certainly love to have Qwest stadium as a home ground. Ha!

 

[RedVee]

I am very heartened by your approach Seattle.
Good luck to you all.
Perhaps one day there will be a local RL Conference based in the NW or W US, with annual playoffs against the other conference(s) for the grand prize.

 

[100%green]

When you do get a team up and running they will be my US team!!! But as a Canberra Raiders fan can j ask one thing? Can you have the same colors as the Seahawks instead of green and white? I love the colors the Seahawks use!!!

Big congrats to the work you guys are doing. We need more of it worldwide.