2014 International Rugby League Achievement and Appreciation Awards

[The Partisan]

With 2014 now entering its last month, I thought I’d throw it out there for people to put forward their nominations for the fictitious Rugby League International Achievement and Appreciation Awards.

These awards are not about playing ability; more the actions of those who have in some way advanced the game in some form or manner and should be recognised for their efforts.

Awards can be:

· Geographic - such as Zone / Federation or Country level; down to county / village / town

· Administrative - such as those behind the scenes in developing new frontiers; or higher profile identities pushing the game forward across the globe.

· Club / Team level - such as a high profile club supporting a developing club / country; or an individual team (though not a national representative) that has sought assistance from a higher level club.

· Organisations - such as educational based RL identities; Charities; Fan based support groups; Political Groups

· Player(s) – including Individuals who have shown initiative and sought to assist the game by developing others or arranging their own development

· Media – including Journalists; Newspapers, TV shows, Magazines; On-line Blogs / Television; Streaming of games

· Other ( Fans; forumers; Insert category here ???)


Though I’m sure we all have a few barbs we could aim at individual or organisations for their perceived failings or faults - let us try to stay in the positive frame people !


As a side issue, if such awards did exist – what would you like to have them called ? The Barrière named after the Frenchman Paul Barrière who was the driving force behind the original World Cup and International Board. ( Personally I think his story should be promoted more around World Cup time and Juniors educated about his contributions.)

Plus

Who was / is the main driver behind the RL playing nations of today ?

 

[langpark]

Good idea. But the real heroes of Rugby League, who deserve all the awards and recognition, we don't even know their names. They're toiling daily to develop the game and are not only unpaid, but are often having to foot the bill themselves.

 

[The Partisan]

Well that's partly the intention of my putting forward this thread.


For example I would like to see the people behind the new frontiers in Africa and their many helping hands recognised. This includes the NZ ref who spent a day with officials in Ghana whilst traveling through Africa.

 

[deluded pom?]

Red Star Belgrade for finally breaking Dorcol's stranglehold on Serbian RL.

 

[cumberlandsashes81]

In the "Peace" Category: The Board members of the USARL and AMNRL who brokered the merger between the two rival governing bodies in the US...

 

[The Partisan]

Good points DP and C81 ( how lazy is that !!!),

A new winner in Serbia gives hope to the other clubs and provides opportunity for expanding a supporter base and potential sponsors.

The Peace deal was a ' must happen' to provide stability in a country where if managed correctly the game can get a toe hold and build its profile.

From my perspective a few gongs i'd give out are:

• GEOGRAPHIC - Spain - For being proactive in their approach to propspering the game both domestically and internationally. Lot of other contenders here - but Spain really caught me eye.
• Team / Club - Warrington Wolves for their assistance with the Serbian players through the year. Also to St. George for their role with one of the Pacific nations (specifics escape me at the moment !!!)
• Organisation - The Great Britain Pioneeers for their continued work in spreading the gospel - and game playing skills - of our code. Memorable mention to Australian Universities for touring Fiji.

Be a few you think of if you tried !

 

[The Partisan]

From a MEDIA perspective - I would congratulate South Australian RL for having their International All Stars tournament televised. Ditto for the Auckland Rugby League. Admittedly the audience aint in the millions !!!

(Out of curiosity does English pay TV have a channel that acommodates programming from Europe or elsewhere ? Any equivalents our SBS or NITV ?)

 

[cumberlandsashes81]

From a MEDIA perspective - I would congratulate South Australian RL for having their International All Stars tournament televised. Ditto for the Auckland Rugby League. Admittedly the audience aint in the millions !!!

(Out of curiosity does English pay TV have a channel that acommodates programming from Europe or elsewhere ? Any equivalents our SBS or NITV ?)

As it happens there's a Fox Memorial Shield game from Auckland on NITV right now... Papakura versus Otahuhu (apologies for the spelling?)...

I think I saw in the Victorian Rugby League Annual Report thst their Grand Final was on community TV? Not sure if it found it's way onto TV Sydney?

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Samoa and their supporters for helping shed some spotlight on the potential of international league.

 

[deluded pom?]

(Out of curiosity does English pay TV have a channel that acommodates programming from Europe or elsewhere ? Any equivalents our SBS or NITV ?)

To answer that you'd have to explain what they are TP.

 

[The Partisan]

Yeah got caught short for time.

These links best explain the two channels....


http://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/our-story/index/id/131/h/Our-Story


http://www.nitv.org.au/about-nitv/dsp-default.cfm?loadref=67

NITV used to have a great RL show a few years back called Barefoot Rugby League that delved below the NRL level and had stories from across the country. Occasionally the Pacific / NZ stories got a gig as well. High profile indigenous ex players like Tony Currie and David Peachey were on the panel and also on location reporters.

So is there a Celtic based station perhaps ?

Morris dancing with the stars ???

 

[deluded pom?]

Yeah got caught short for time.

These links best explain the two channels....


http://www.sbs.com.au/aboutus/our-story/index/id/131/h/Our-Story


http://www.nitv.org.au/about-nitv/dsp-default.cfm?loadref=67

NITV used to have a great RL show a few years back called Barefoot Rugby League that delved below the NRL level and had stories from across the country. Occasionally the Pacific / NZ stories got a gig as well. High profile indigenous ex players like Tony Currie and David Peachey were on the panel and also on location reporters.

So is there a Celtic based station perhaps ?

Morris dancing with the stars ???

The Celtic nations have their own versions of the BBC. There's also a Welsh language channel, S4C. and a Gaelic language channel. Alba. Both are available on digital.

 

[Bronco Rob]

Individuals: there's quite a few but my picks of appreciation would be:
Lawrence Almagno: tremendous job in setting up the youth program from scratch on Rhode Island and program is now being used as a template for other cities. Other notables would be Sylvester Wellington for his work in Ghana, Artur Martyrosyan for his work in Ukraine under enormously difficult circumstances and Petero Civoneceva who has been doing a lot of behind the scenes work for Fiji. There's many others I'd like to mention but can't name them all.

Nations: My award would go to USA and the beneficial taking over of the game by the USARL. I can see the US kicking on from here under the USARL. I just wish Italy could sort themselves out soon.

Out of the latest batch of new entrants into the RL arena I have to say I am very impressed with the development occurring in Spain. They have come out of nowhere and seem to be developing things nicely.