Has the USARL improved over the past 2+ years?

[deal.with.it]

I agree Fatwing.
The success comes down to individual teams and individuals within those teams.
RIR would have junior development whether they were in AMNRL or USARL, and Jax hasn't changed much at all between both leagues.
Neither organisation has any assets are major contracts that would translate into more bargaining power.

The USARL branched away because there was a lack of transparency. That is fact. David Niu, Star Group and then Grand Prix.

The USARL are transparent, however they are good at PR when situations arise, such as Oneida and New Haven.

The 9s is a much better product than the War at the Shore. They got nearly 500 through the gate over the course of the day. If it was a sunny day, I'm sure they would have got closer to 1000. Wet weather effects almost every sporting match, from country RL in Aus to the USARL 9s.
Not to mention the facilities at the Casino, the international teams and the fact they've recorded matches for people to now watch.

But once again, that comes down to Ryan McGough and the Philly co for putting it together.

The comps should merge, but I disagree that the AMNRL and USARL are on par for for most things. I just don't think the USARL is THAT far ahead.

In the ideal world, the RLIF would provide $50,000 to governing body in the USA after the WC (as they do in Fiji, PNG, Jamaica, etc.) and employ a fulltime worker, or a few part timers, and get things done properly.

 

[Fighter]

Don't get too excited about the videos, they aren't from our usual guy. He had to get a fill on because he was shooting a wedding. They aren't great but at least you can see some of the games (while the camera isn't shaking) and it is better than nothing at all.
Regular season games will be very professional and in HD again.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

The US should take a (maple) leaf out of Canada's book in regards to filming and commentating games - they are brilliantly done given the resources. I've always liked Boston13s little highlights videos also.

http://www.youtube.com/user/canadarugbyleaguetv

 

[yakstorm]

I don't think there is any doubt the two competitions need to reunite and then when they reunite, they need to split into appropriate divisions of ability, to ensure as many teams as possible are playing the game.

In the past 3/4 years, the following teams use to play in either the AMNRL or USARL at the top level, yet no longer exist, most because they got over the travel, weren't considered up to standard or being constantly beaten:

- New Jersey Turnpike Titans
- New Haven Warriors
- Oneida FC
- Delaware Vipers
- Pittsburgh Sledgehammers

That's five clubs, that should be still running around in some capacity...

Imagine if the USA had a premier competition with the likes of Jacksonville, Philladelphia, Boston 13's, Washington DC, Aston Bulls, New York Knights, Connecticut Wildcats and Rhode Island Rebellion in an eight team premier competition. (Could be a different make up, that's just a suggestion)

Then below that, you had all the above's (except for Jacksonville) reserve teams, plus all the other active teams and the 5 clubs that are now all 'development' clubs, even if that was then broken into two conferences or levels. More people playing the game, an opportunity for player pathways to be developed, an opportunity for clubs to stay playing the game and actually have a chance to be competitive, and an easier opportunity for new clubs to be formed and join the fold.

It would be nice to see something like that happen...

 

[Rampart66]

I have a feeling that one of the sticking pints with a merge may have to do with Grand Prix Entertainment. I guess Bill Tatham owns the AMNRL and I'm not so sure that the USARL clubs are too keen on joining him. Who would get control of a merged league? Grand Prix, or the individual teams. Judging by what he's done (or not done) to the AMNRL since he took ownership, I'd be a bit apprehensive about any sort of merger.

 

[Choo Choo]

I have a feeling that one of the sticking pints with a merge may have to do with Grand Prix Entertainment. I guess Bill Tatham owns the AMNRL and I'm not so sure that the USARL clubs are too keen on joining him. Who would get control of a merged league? Grand Prix, or the individual teams. Judging by what he's done (or not done) to the AMNRL since he took ownership, I'd be a bit apprehensive about any sort of merger.

Key thing to remember though is that Bill may own the AMNRL name, but he doesn't own the teams. David never owned any of the teams maybe other than the Bulls. So Bill really owns the league name and the Tomahawks. I suspect the teams are free to leave if they wish.

 

[Evil Homer]

Does anyone know who is in charge of the AMNRL at the moment? Who is running the comp this year?

 

[Fighter]

Does anyone know who is in charge of the AMNRL at the moment? Who is running the comp this year?

Niu

 

[deal.with.it]

The whole idea of a merged league with a premier comp and reserve comp won't work because of the travel distances. You can't expect to travel 4-5 hours for a reserve grade game.
We should have premier teams and then regional reserve grade comps, like the RIR.
These would act as feeder comps.
But the thing is, you need people to organise it, they need to have the time to do it, and so they need to be paid to take it over as a job. It's just so f**king hard. The USA is such a big country! I feel for the guys over there.

 

[Bronco Rob]

Does anyone know who is in charge of the AMNRL at the moment? Who is running the comp this year?

That's my point, there is no transparency at all with the AMNRL and their sympathisers wonder why we criticise them. Why the need for all of this cloak and dagger stuff? Yes they are amateurs but we are also talking about a body that is representing a Nation that is playing in the World Cup who have professional footballers representing them, this is not some pub league.

What justification can there be for failure to have some presence online or some sort of promotion for the game in a year where they should be shouting about RL and do everything they can to promote the sport? I'm sick of the diatribe that they are merely volunteers or amateurs, if you want to be part of the International stage how about behaving like professionals and have some sort of assemblance of professionalism.