I wonder if the USARL have the best interests of Rugby league at heart and aren't trying to settle old scores with people who are no longer around.
Some transparency anyone?
I am speaking as a member of the general public. Let's talk about transparency for a bit. Was the AMNRL ever transparent; no. The USARL has been transparent ever since Dec 2010 when it first met in Philadelphia to discuss the situation at the time and courses of action. If Niu would have just answered the letter and engaged in productive discussions, there is a chance there would still be RL under one banner. The USARL never hid its intentions. The USARL always has the best interest of Rugby League in America because it exist for three reasons; 1) to play RL in the USA, 2) to grow RL in the USA, and 3) allow all members a fair and equal say in the transparent operations of the league.
Was the AMNRL transparent when they ignored the USARL's simple requests for openess and a fair say in how the league was run? No. Did the AMNRL have the best interests of RL when it looked to punish the "break away" league by excluding all USARL players including Brent Shorten and the Clark brothers from Tomahawk selection? No. Was the AMNRL transparent when it excluded a former Tomahawks captain and USA player of the year Apple Pope from World Cup selection? No. In fact, Apple sat out from the Axemen the first year of the USARL so he could play for the Tomahawks. Is that fair? No. So please don't come out with this now as there are many specific references that can be sited to refute your claims stated here. The evidence is simply not stacked in your favor.
The door for USARL membership has been open for 3 and a half years to all AMNRL teams and no one has ever taken advantage until the Eagles decided to make the change earlier this year. Only an extended smear and slander campaign. Each AMNRL club simply had to just contact the USARL and formally apply for membership.
On a positive note, three AMNRL teams played in the USARL 9's this year and hats off to Curtis for pulling that off. However, Curtis's claims that we would have only had three or four teams if they hadn't played is simply false. Boston and RIR actually stepped aside so that AMNRL teams could be accomodated. The 9's would have gone on regardless.
The USARL schedule has been released for the past two months and each team has invested time and money into travel, accomodations, and sponsorship events. Coming in less than two weeks prior to the start of the season and expecting the USARL to change in the final hours is a bit unreasonable. Each team voted democratically to keep the schedule as is due to prior plans and player absences during bye weeks and felt that it was not in their or the league's interest to change in the last days. Not getting their way, the AMNRL lashed out again at the USARL. Sad really.
To say that players will suffer is also not true. There are several teams within driving distance of each AMNRL club. The Wildcats, Knights, and Raiders could all go play with the Kings. The Sharks and Bulls could go play with the Fight. There are opportunities for anyone that wants to play and I'm sure they would be welcome. I suspect that there will be a unified comp in 2015 when sufficient time is allowed to review applications and discussing the merits of each club.
Saying that the USARL is trying to settle old scores is also not true. The past is what it is and has been forgotten. The AMNRL procrastinated and did not plan or release a schedule and in the final hours expected the USARL to change everything. That's just bad form as stated above. How about discussing Rugby League of America and their management structure and mission. Who are the board of directors other than Bobo? Is it a secret? Where is the press release? Is it in fact true that the AMNRL no longer exists?
Some transparency anyone?
