Flashback 1935: NSWRL blocks French tour

[Sam I Am]

It is fascinating to look through the Google News Archive. There are stacks of digitised old stories. I found this one, about the NSWRL blocking a French proposal to tour Australia in the 1930s, interesting

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sour...AhVcVhJ9NQyGEpfoQ&sig2=aB0HWTPdcuArgQbUaXDk5Q

The New South Wales Rugby League in committee last night gave further consideration to the suggestion that a French team be invited to visit Australia in the coming season. It was decided no further action be taken

Many people would argue that rugby league authorities in Australia haven't come too far since 1935!

 

[Sam I Am]

Here's another from 1934, to do with Union blocking League's use of grounds in France.

http://ndpbeta.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/2326039

RUGBY LEAGUE
Promotion of Game
in France
RIVAL CODE BANS
GROUND IN

PARIS, Thursday
Sensational developments are ex-
pected in connection with the resigna-
tion of the famous amateur, Jean
Gallia, from the French Rugby Union
Association in order to promote the
Rugby League game in France.
The English League is financing
Gallia's efforts. Gallia has become
wildly enthusiastic over the League
game after Saturday's exhibition be-
tween England and Australia.
Because the Pershing Stadium was
the scene of Sunday's match, the
French Rugby Union has banned
amateur matches there henceforward; -
obliging the Paris University Club to
seek another ground.
The tour share of the profits for
the Australian Rugby League team,
the Kangaroos, is down over £2000
on last tour, owing mostly to the
failure of the tests.
Economies on the tour costs, how-
ever, will result in a record, profit for
distribution among the Leagues and
to the players.

 

[roopy]

http://ndpbeta.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/2386495?searchTerm=french+rugby+league

RUGBY LEAGUE
ENTHUSIASM IN FRANCE
Fixtures Possible For Future
Teams
FREMANTLE, Friday.
Mr. Harry Sunderland, Secretary
of the Queensland Rugby League,
and member of the Board of Control,
on his return from England to-day
said that there was extraordinary
enthusiasm for the Rugby League
code in France. There was no doubt
that future Australian teams would
include fixtures in that country.
Mr. Sunderland will propose to the
N.S.W. Rugby League that a French
team be brought to Australia this
season.

 

[Sam I Am]

Another interesting story, and quite topical, discussing the possibility of setting up a US competition, when it should be run etc etc.

http://news.google.com/newspapers?i...AAIBAJ&pg=3409,4112079&dq=rugby+league+france

In short, they suggest running a competition from January to April so as not to compete with American football, and note that the first American All Stars match in Australia was televised. Looks like RL on TV in the US has a long history.

 

[Sam I Am]

1999, here's some big thinking! Sounds like something the rah-rahs would suggest:

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby-league-league-in-global-game-plan-1105284.html

FORGET ATTEMPTS to spread the word in the south of England, rugby league is planning to put itself on the global stage with the formation of a World League, involving teams based in major cities such as Sydney, Manchester and Johannesburg.
Based on the World League of American Football and rugby union's Super 12s, the competition would be paid for by television rights and played over a short season, kicking off in 2001.
A business consultancy firm has been engaged to provide costings, according to a report in the Sydney Morning Telegraph. The plans have been drawn up by delegates to the Rugby League International Federation, who are disillusioned by Australia's negative attitude towards the international game.
The newspaper quotes a source saying: "We have been advised by the firm we commissioned that the television companies would pay more for the rights than it would cost to run it. We've added up travel, accommodation, wages, everything and it would return a small profit."
The competition would not be a rebel league because it would have the blessing of the RLIF.
Like the American football equivalent, players would be largely draw from those who do not make the grade in Australia's National Rugby League and Super League Europe and those coming to the end of their careers.
The idea is to set up clubs in cities such as Toulouse, Manchester, Sydney, Tokyo, Johannesburg and Wellington and most of the players would be Australian and English.

 

[hutch]

It is fascinating to look through the Google News Archive. There are stacks of digitised old stories. I found this one, about the NSWRL blocking a French proposal to tour Australia in the 1930s, interesting

Many people would argue that rugby league authorities in Australia haven't come too far since 1935!

so the nswrl stopping the game from expanding internationally and domestically isnt a new thing?

 

[Sam I Am]

so the nswrl stopping the game from expanding internationally and domestically isnt a new thing?

Well, I'm not going to pass any further judgment on the present day, but according to this article it clearly happened in the 1930s.

That said, I am not trying to bag the NSWRL. I just found it pretty interesting reading through those old articles.

 

[druzik]

It is fascinating to look through the Google News Archive. There are stacks of digitised old stories. I found this one, about the NSWRL blocking a French proposal to tour Australia in the 1930s, interesting

Many people would argue that rugby league authorities in Australia haven't come too far since 1935!

Its interesting... but am curios to know what the state of play politically things were, remember that French union was kicked out of the 5 nations and is what caused the french to switch en-mass. Now am not sure if ther NSWRL felt it might have still been a bit too much of a politicallz explosice issue in terms of Anglo-Australian relations.

 

[roopy]

Its interesting... but am curios to know what the state of play politically things were, remember that French union was kicked out of the 5 nations and is what caused the french to switch en-mass. Now am not sure if ther NSWRL felt it might have still been a bit too much of a politicallz explosice issue in terms of Anglo-Australian relations.

I researched the 1953 American tour a few years ago, and it came down to money mostly.
There was no sponsership or TV rights, so the NSWRL had to find pounds up front and rely on crowds to turn up so they got their money back.
It was a massive gamble - bigger than anyone takes today.

 

[akazie]

Fantastic stuff.

The forbidden game says no sport will rise like RL did in France ever again. anywhere.

Half that rate sounds nice to me!

 

[roopy]

for those interested in a bit of research, the national library is developing a searchable newspaper database. Within a few months they will be adding the Sydney Herald from 1818 till 1954 to the database - but even now there are a lot of league articles from Brisbane, Canberra and other newspapers.

here is the search page.
http://ndpbeta.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/home

 

[roopy]

example

http://ndpbeta.nla.gov.au/ndp/del/article/2882886?searchTerm=clive+churchill

 

[Azkatro]

I thought those who had looked at or contributed to this thread might find this interesting. The article which announces the teams for the 1909 Final (between Balmain and Souths) and the Wallabies vs Kangaroos game, as well as a few words about Balmain's grievances on the big day.

Well for some strange reason, the teams for the final have been intentionally covered up. Conspiracy? See for yourself!

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=x6QUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tKkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4651,5573212

 

[Sam I Am]

I thought those who had looked at or contributed to this thread might find this interesting. The article which announces the teams for the 1909 Final (between Balmain and Souths) and the Wallabies vs Kangaroos game, as well as a few words about Balmain's grievances on the big day.

Well for some strange reason, the teams for the final have been intentionally covered up. Conspiracy? See for yourself!

http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=x6QUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=tKkDAAAAIBAJ&pg=4651,5573212

Very interesting! Looks like it has been cut out of the newspaper.

Interestingly in that article, two players get an offer from the "northern counties". Even back then the "ESL" was taking players! ;-)

 

[Azkatro]

Very interesting! Looks like it has been cut out of the newspaper.

Interestingly in that article, two players get an offer from the "northern counties". Even back then the "ESL" was taking players! ;-)

Absolutely, in fact I think you could say it was happening from 1907 when a few All Golds players stayed in England to play club football.

A footnote to the 1909 debacle was on the day, Souths played an exhibition against a Combined team, which is not new knowledge. But at the end of the article is this tidbit:

Some amusement was caused when the referee recalled Hallett, the South Sydney full-back, who had scored a try after following up his own kick, and evading the opposition, for off-side. All the players stood still to laugh at the referee's palpable blunder.

:lol: