Cook Islands

[Springs09]

To put this in to perspective Dubbo has about three times the population.
With people complaining about bush footy dying it’s hard to see a case for Australia donating more money to such a small nation.

If bush footy is dying it is because of money, not the lack of it.

But you are right when it comes to 'where is the money coming from?' Throwing money at something isn't going to magically make it bigger. For the game to grow anywhere we need passionate people who care about growing the game, regardless of whether or not they get paid.

In my opinion players should get paid less (everywhere, not just the NRL) and more should go to helping out struggling clubs and volunteers who work what is pretty much a full time job and get nothing for it. But that's not going to happen.

 

[Pommy]

If bush footy is dying it is because of money, not the lack of it.

But you are right when it comes to 'where is the money coming from?' Throwing money at something isn't going to magically make it bigger. For the game to grow anywhere we need passionate people who care about growing the game, regardless of whether or not they get paid.

In my opinion players should get paid less (everywhere, not just the NRL) and more should go to helping out struggling clubs and volunteers who work what is pretty much a full time job and get nothing for it. But that's not going to happen.

Leagues best players playing union isn’t going to grow the sport.

 

[Springs09]

Leagues best players playing union isn’t going to grow the sport.

No, league's best players like Taumalolo choosing to play for Tonga is what's going to grow the sport.

Any mercenary who plays just for money already has the choice to go to union for a bigger pay day. They aren't going to grow the sport anyway whether they get paid 800k or 3m.

Whenever ridiculous amounts of money gets thrown around it f**ks the sport. Examples - Super League and $30k per game for Origin attracting NZers and Islanders to play for Australia and f**king the international game.

 

[Pommy]

No, league's best players like Taumalolo choosing to play for Tonga is what's going to grow the sport.

Any mercenary who plays just for money already has the choice to go to union for a bigger pay day. They aren't going to grow the sport anyway whether they get paid 800k or 3m.

Whenever ridiculous amounts of money gets thrown around it f**ks the sport. Examples - Super League and $30k per game for Origin attracting NZers and Islanders to play for Australia and f**king the international game.

Any mercenary? It’s a f**king job lol

 

[LeagueXIII]

Why is it better for the good of the game that Cook Islands get money over the bush or anywhere else?

I didn't say that the bush should be neglected. The NRL has the money and should put aside cash to help the game grow both home and in the Pacific....it helps the game as a whole in the long run.

Otherwise we can say stuff you lot help yourselves.

 

[Pommy]

I didn't say that the bush should be neglected. The NRL has the money and should put aside cash to help the game grow both home and in the Pacific....it helps the game as a whole in the long run.

Otherwise we can say stuff you lot help yourselves.

But the money is finite and the NRL made a loss last year I believe and they are already donating money to the cooks apparently.

 

[LeagueXIII]

Good, keep doing it. The money will come in. WE are still recovering from Gallops time when the game ran at a minimum and saved nothing.

 

[siv]

Transport assistance and internationak match payments for the national team is what each Pacific nation needs

 

[LeagueXIII]

Exactly and games in the islands.

 

[deal.with.it]

The best thing the RLIF/NRL/RFL can do is put their money towards employing a FT development manager in these countries, whose job it is to increase government, business and general public financial support. You can’tbexpect volunteers to carry the weight forever. Especially, when a volunteer leaves and there’s no one prepared to take over - because it’s a FT job without the income!

 

[Matua]

Although league is big in the Cooks, there's not really any potential for growth and most of the Cooks players who filter through to the NRL are from NZ and Oz. The Kukis (national team) get those players either early in their careers or late in their careers.

The competition is vibrant but it's not necessarily a league over other sports as the rugby and touch comps on Rarotonga are 'vibrant' as well. Cook islanders definitely love league but they love the All Blacks as well.

They only really need to provide enough money to keep the game going as it is now.

 

[LeagueXIII]

Money to help the local game...not money to feed the NRL with players etc