IzmirZaferi
Juniors
- Messages
- 4
We tend to talk about NRL expansion but it seems increasingly evident to me that there are too many opportunities for the Top Teir of the game to engage any time soon.
As such, I think the ARLC and NRL should make a clear intention and promotion of multi-tiered expansion with the NRL the pinnacle of ALL Austral-Asian Rugby League. It is time to shake off the Australian centred approach.
For me, here are my thoughts for a wider approach toward expansion.
Note: the specifics are mainly related to Males but a parallel approach should be done for the Women's game.
GLOBALISED NRL - The NRL brand should be adopted globally as the face of professional RL atleast with Europe and Oceania. Super League should adopt the NRL brand with other cooperative movements.
In general, nothing much should change except, the Grand finalists should play the champion of the other competition two weeks after the GF. This will likely increase the interest across the competitions in the other as fans anticipate who their team may come up against if they win the GF.
This can help in terms of the global perception of our game, increasing possibilities in terms of global TV contracts and sponsors. Our disadvantage in having only two major professional comps can be turned into an advantage in terms of coordination.
The NRL Brand including NRL could then possibly soon cover up to 8 nations (see below)
NRL Expansion - KEY YEAR 2024
2024 - West Coast Bears - the NRL should foster this.
The reemergence of a traditional eastern brand rebirthed in the West. This should be majority owned at an NRL level by interests in the West but 25 percent should be held by Norths or affiliated groups.
Bears fans in Sydney should then be able to buy a SYDNEY SEASON TICKET for Sydney games. This will facilitate the reengagement with two population and supporter bases. The Red and Black hoops as away colours with a yellow dash for Home games honours both traditions. This will also build a strong national appeal with fans, sponsors and government.
2024 - the emergence on MULTI - CITY TEAMS. It is constantly clear the struggle Rugby League has between our traditional Sydney base and other opportunities.
As such, some of the population or geographically 'locked' teams should essentially be forced into a broader base. This HAS worked for AFL clubs and it can work with the NRL. It would be facilitated by additional funding to each team - at a rate of 250 thousand per game (this would also go hand in hand with local RL engagement and agreement)
For instance... (suggestions)
Each of these being established by minimum ten year agreements with Governments, Local Stadia, NRL and Local RL organisations.
Reasoning, one of the key drivers of TV investment is driving Pay TV subscription. By engaging these markets on a more limited regard it will mean a need for local fans to buy into Pay TV to watch them more often. It will also increase TV ratings through broader ownership of the team.
- Southern Sharks - Cronulla based - playing 4 - 5 games out of Adelaide - the branding affinity is really good and consistent.
At present Sharks have a fan base of a measly 224,000 despite having a great general brand and feel. Why? simply they are geograpically and demographically surrounded. Broadening their appeal to South Australia gives them the potential engage with 1.7 million potential fans. Even if only a quarter consider themselves 'casual fans' in surveys, this would increase the Sharks reach, which affects sponsorship by nearly 500 thousand. Even with an average of ten thousand fans at games, this would be ten thousand NEW fans buying merchandise, watching games on TV etc.
- Easts Roosters - Sydney based - 4 games out of Central Coast (this may be that hardest move with a new stadium but engagement with CC is important)
Similar to the Sharks, the Roosters have a strong but small core fan base. Their advantage has always been relative wealth and good management but they could quickly extend their fan base and particularly junior base by taking Central Coast under wing.
The transition to Easts would be an ironic back to the future move as they broaden their appeal whilst emphasising tradition.
- Sea Eagles - Wellington - Sea Eagles - moving four games to Wellington with ten year agreement.
I believe NZ to be more open to partial moves and Sydney clubs can move their games against Warriors and small drawing QLD team games to NZ (such as Titans, NQ and possibly Dolphins).
Rugby / League in NZ is driven in many ways by the aspiration to play professional footy. This can be enhanced by the permanent presence of a team with prestigious history.
- CB Bulldogs - Bulldogs - 4 games - there is a practical affinity in name and some history. The loss of games can be made up to a degree by a suggestion coming.
Other location possibilities - I would REQUIRE a minimum of 20,000 capacity facilities. This would also help drive region and nation investment.
Port Moresby - PNG - immediate City - 400, 000 however national population approach 10 million.
Darwin - Parra presently plays here.
Hobart - Melbourne should be required to play atleast one game. Greater Hobart - 238 thousand.
Cairns - already plans for 20 thousand seat stadium. A good plan could crush AFL hopes.
Fiji is a possibility but lacks a suitable stadium. However government engagement may help.
NRL CONFERENCE SYSTEM
A simply geographic conference division can be played virtually identically each year encouraging tradition.
Sydney and National. (name them - maybe Messenger and Churchill)
9 teams each - each conference Home and Away for first past the post shield before playing every team in the other conference before entering the finals series. This would admittedly open the door for a later expansion to 20 with Newcastle or Canberra moving into Sydney conference.
From a Sydney perspective, there is advantage in that SYDNEY WIDE Season tickets could be sold increasing attendance, a travelling fan base locally and ensuring teams that become Multi-City teams could still get more games in their city than teams from outside Sydney. For instance, Sharks fans may give four games up retaining 8 primary home games but would then have rights to up to 7 other local Sydney games.
From a National perspective, there is advantage in the NATIONAL sense of the game as more than a suburban game. This would also foster a new rivalry sense between cities.
As such, I think the ARLC and NRL should make a clear intention and promotion of multi-tiered expansion with the NRL the pinnacle of ALL Austral-Asian Rugby League. It is time to shake off the Australian centred approach.
For me, here are my thoughts for a wider approach toward expansion.
Note: the specifics are mainly related to Males but a parallel approach should be done for the Women's game.
GLOBALISED NRL - The NRL brand should be adopted globally as the face of professional RL atleast with Europe and Oceania. Super League should adopt the NRL brand with other cooperative movements.
In general, nothing much should change except, the Grand finalists should play the champion of the other competition two weeks after the GF. This will likely increase the interest across the competitions in the other as fans anticipate who their team may come up against if they win the GF.
This can help in terms of the global perception of our game, increasing possibilities in terms of global TV contracts and sponsors. Our disadvantage in having only two major professional comps can be turned into an advantage in terms of coordination.
The NRL Brand including NRL could then possibly soon cover up to 8 nations (see below)
NRL Expansion - KEY YEAR 2024
2024 - West Coast Bears - the NRL should foster this.
The reemergence of a traditional eastern brand rebirthed in the West. This should be majority owned at an NRL level by interests in the West but 25 percent should be held by Norths or affiliated groups.
Bears fans in Sydney should then be able to buy a SYDNEY SEASON TICKET for Sydney games. This will facilitate the reengagement with two population and supporter bases. The Red and Black hoops as away colours with a yellow dash for Home games honours both traditions. This will also build a strong national appeal with fans, sponsors and government.
2024 - the emergence on MULTI - CITY TEAMS. It is constantly clear the struggle Rugby League has between our traditional Sydney base and other opportunities.
As such, some of the population or geographically 'locked' teams should essentially be forced into a broader base. This HAS worked for AFL clubs and it can work with the NRL. It would be facilitated by additional funding to each team - at a rate of 250 thousand per game (this would also go hand in hand with local RL engagement and agreement)
For instance... (suggestions)
Each of these being established by minimum ten year agreements with Governments, Local Stadia, NRL and Local RL organisations.
Reasoning, one of the key drivers of TV investment is driving Pay TV subscription. By engaging these markets on a more limited regard it will mean a need for local fans to buy into Pay TV to watch them more often. It will also increase TV ratings through broader ownership of the team.
- Southern Sharks - Cronulla based - playing 4 - 5 games out of Adelaide - the branding affinity is really good and consistent.
At present Sharks have a fan base of a measly 224,000 despite having a great general brand and feel. Why? simply they are geograpically and demographically surrounded. Broadening their appeal to South Australia gives them the potential engage with 1.7 million potential fans. Even if only a quarter consider themselves 'casual fans' in surveys, this would increase the Sharks reach, which affects sponsorship by nearly 500 thousand. Even with an average of ten thousand fans at games, this would be ten thousand NEW fans buying merchandise, watching games on TV etc.
- Easts Roosters - Sydney based - 4 games out of Central Coast (this may be that hardest move with a new stadium but engagement with CC is important)
Similar to the Sharks, the Roosters have a strong but small core fan base. Their advantage has always been relative wealth and good management but they could quickly extend their fan base and particularly junior base by taking Central Coast under wing.
The transition to Easts would be an ironic back to the future move as they broaden their appeal whilst emphasising tradition.
- Sea Eagles - Wellington - Sea Eagles - moving four games to Wellington with ten year agreement.
I believe NZ to be more open to partial moves and Sydney clubs can move their games against Warriors and small drawing QLD team games to NZ (such as Titans, NQ and possibly Dolphins).
Rugby / League in NZ is driven in many ways by the aspiration to play professional footy. This can be enhanced by the permanent presence of a team with prestigious history.
- CB Bulldogs - Bulldogs - 4 games - there is a practical affinity in name and some history. The loss of games can be made up to a degree by a suggestion coming.
Other location possibilities - I would REQUIRE a minimum of 20,000 capacity facilities. This would also help drive region and nation investment.
Port Moresby - PNG - immediate City - 400, 000 however national population approach 10 million.
Darwin - Parra presently plays here.
Hobart - Melbourne should be required to play atleast one game. Greater Hobart - 238 thousand.
Cairns - already plans for 20 thousand seat stadium. A good plan could crush AFL hopes.
Fiji is a possibility but lacks a suitable stadium. However government engagement may help.
NRL CONFERENCE SYSTEM
A simply geographic conference division can be played virtually identically each year encouraging tradition.
Sydney and National. (name them - maybe Messenger and Churchill)
9 teams each - each conference Home and Away for first past the post shield before playing every team in the other conference before entering the finals series. This would admittedly open the door for a later expansion to 20 with Newcastle or Canberra moving into Sydney conference.
From a Sydney perspective, there is advantage in that SYDNEY WIDE Season tickets could be sold increasing attendance, a travelling fan base locally and ensuring teams that become Multi-City teams could still get more games in their city than teams from outside Sydney. For instance, Sharks fans may give four games up retaining 8 primary home games but would then have rights to up to 7 other local Sydney games.
From a National perspective, there is advantage in the NATIONAL sense of the game as more than a suburban game. This would also foster a new rivalry sense between cities.
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