"American Rugby"?

[byrner]

+++
Lawrence, I am prepared to put my money where my mouth is, and commission a survey with this question put to these constituents.

pm me to let me know how we can make this happen.

Make sure you include topball in the names list.

 

[Poul]

Make sure you include topball in the names list.

LOL :lol::lol::lol:

My idea would be to have these kids watch 20 minutes or so of a USARL game (NOT an NRL or ESL game), and then be asked the question;

"What do you think would be the best name for this sport?"

1. Rugby

2. Rugby XIII

3. Rugby Football

4. Rugby League

5. American Rugby

I am prepared to "donate" $500 to AYRLA to have this survey undertaken.
That's $100 per alternative, so if you want to have Topball included in the options, all you have to do is contribute another $100

 

[Evil Homer]

^ All mention of 'rugby' should be avoided. If anything, the sport should be called 'treize' (French word for 'thirteen', used to refer to RL after the 'rugby' name was banned by the Vichy government). It's kind of stupid, but so are names like 'cricket', 'hockey', 'tennis' and even 'rugby', they are all equally obscure or meaningless words.

 

[Poul]

^ All mention of 'rugby' should be avoided. If anything, the sport should be called 'treize' (French word for 'thirteen', used to refer to RL after the 'rugby' name was banned by the Vichy government). It's kind of stupid, but so are names like 'cricket', 'hockey', 'tennis' and even 'rugby', they are all equally obscure or meaningless words.

EH, we'll have to agree to disagree on having reference to "Rugby" in the name of the game.

If you want to put forward alternative names for the survey,you're most welcome to do so.

All you have to do is stump up the money; $100 per option

 

[Rhode Island Rebellion]

Simple all the youths in AYRLA when they say there name... be it steve become Steve Leaguey - (we have over 130 this summer, so now we have worked with approx 1K plus kids since 2011).

This drills home the fact they play league not union, coupled with my 2min speech about the history of the game and the differences.

They then can explain the difference to all their friends and family.

 

[byrner]

Can you post that speach?

 

[pennpool]

Poul, what do actually contribute to the game of rugby league in America?

I mean really, if you like the game that much, wouldn't your time be better spent helping the closest geographical team to you?

Maybe then you would have some skin in the game and you may actually be able to make a difference?

 

[Poul]

Poul, what do actually contribute to the game of rugby league in America?

I mean really, if you like the game that much, wouldn't your time be better spent helping the closest geographical team to you?

Maybe then you would have some skin in the game and you may actually be able to make a difference?

pp, thanks for your question.

I don't want to big note myself (too much ), but I already have made material contribution to the game in America, and plan to continue to do so.

You may realise, and I do concede,that I am an "armchair" fan, based in Australia, so it would be difficult for me to actively support the "closest geographical team" to me. If, as I understand, you are a player and/or administrator in the AMNRL, you may in fact be using, or have used, some equipment that I previously donated to the AMNRL.

I have also previously given financial and material support to Rugby League clubs and organisations in France, Germany, Samoa, and Jamaica.
Recently I have also given material support to AYRLA. Some of the people involved in these organisations may know who I am, and I would like to think that they value the contributions I have made over time to the development of Rugby League in their respective countries. So, hopefully I do have some "skin" in the game.

I started this thread with the intention of stimulating conversation about and drawing attention to Rugby League in America. After 2 years, over 200 responses and 14,000 views, I believe that to some extent I have achieved this, and I thank you for your contribution.

 

[Footyhead2]

Poul - It's great to see this subject has come up again and it has generated some enthusiasm. As a RL fan living in the Philadelphia area, your suggestions about establishing "American Rugby" definitely have merit. To grow a fan base here in the states it's naive to think that a sport that is popular in Australia and England will catch on here in a big way. But to take the essence of the sport and make some minor tweaks you will start to generate interest:

1. Allow breaks in play for spectators to stretch their legs and get a drink/use the bathroom. We have it in football, baseball and it's what we're used to. Perhaps allow the coaches on the sidelines to call timeouts? This would also help generate TV interest as it would allow commercials to be inserted, thus generating TV revenue.

2. Have specialist positions. How can a defensive lineman be the best he can be when he's also expected to pass the ball, take the ball up, play offense, and vice versa.

3. Player safety is also a concern. Given the power of the collisions I wouldn't be 100% comfortable letting children go to a game, especially with the recent focus on concussions. If the players wore some basic head protection (doesn't have to be a full helmet like in football) and shoulder padding then it would alleviate that concern.

4. Don't get me started on not being able to pass the ball forward....

These changes would also make the game more enjoyable to watch and more marketable to us "yanks". And the title American Rugby would help a lot too.

 

[byrner]

Poul - It's great to see this subject has come up again and it has generated some enthusiasm. As a RL fan living in the Philadelphia area, your suggestions about establishing "American Rugby" definitely have merit. To grow a fan base here in the states it's naive to think that a sport that is popular in Australia and England will catch on here in a big way. But to take the essence of the sport and make some minor tweaks you will start to generate interest:

1. Allow breaks in play for spectators to stretch their legs and get a drink/use the bathroom. We have it in football, baseball and it's what we're used to. Perhaps allow the coaches on the sidelines to call timeouts? This would also help generate TV interest as it would allow commercials to be inserted, thus generating TV revenue.

2. Have specialist positions. How can a defensive lineman be the best he can be when he's also expected to pass the ball, take the ball up, play offense, and vice versa.

3. Player safety is also a concern. Given the power of the collisions I wouldn't be 100% comfortable letting children go to a game, especially with the recent focus on concussions. If the players wore some basic head protection (doesn't have to be a full helmet like in football) and shoulder padding then it would alleviate that concern.

4. Don't get me started on not being able to pass the ball forward....

These changes would also make the game more enjoyable to watch and more marketable to us "yanks". And the title American Rugby would help a lot too.

Troll!

 

[Western_Eel]

I agree with FootyHeads Point, DONT TOUCH THE GAME!
just get a good administrator.