If you were trying to kick-start Rugby League in a new country...

[adamkungl]

How would you do it?

What strategies would you use to attract players, to get people to pick up a completely new sport?

Or if you've already been involved in something like this, what have you tried, what has worked?

 

[miguel de cervantes]

- union countires -

it's a balancing act, but

- partner with existing union clubs
- introduce oztag as leisure rugby
- use Oztag/NRL videos as training material
- perhaps setup masters league for those that desire more contact

hard to do much more than this if a league structure doesn't exist already to participate in. if you have no one to play, you are going nowhere. would need to coordinate with other league people hopefully not too far away.

 

[adamkungl]

Partnering with Union clubs is a tricky one.

On one hand they have players and structure and there's a good chance they'll give League a go as an off-season activity.
On the other, it risks you being under their thumb, unwanted politics, or outright opposition before you even start.

 

[Pommy]

Find wealthy driven businessmen with connections to even richer mining magnates visit the UK.
Seemed to work in Canada.

 

[T-Boon]

In a country like South Africa or Argentina I'd promote it as
1. Anti English establishment. The game that broke away from the English establishment. A bit like what T20 is to Test cricket. T20 would be an affront to the English cricket traditionalists;
2. In SA I'd promote all the running compared to Rugby kicking - this must appeal to the africans;
3. In Argentina I'd promote it as an opportunity to hit people more than is available in soccer;
4. To promote the running side of things with zero kicking I would introduce touch footy at schools and try to get the Australian touch footy team over there a lot so they know it is Australian.

 

[Springs09]

- Play in the off season of the most popular sports.
- Start with 9s tournaments and mixed touch. Include women and children as much as possible.
- Target any immigrants from existing rugby league countries
- Target areas which may not have a high presence in existing popular sports
- Focus more on the collision and tough aspects of the sport, for those who aren't suited to more popular sports such as soccer
- Use participation based tactics rather than performance based. Have an attitude of inclusiveness regardless of skill level or social background.
- Use social media a lot.
- Apply for resources from the RLIF, who would surely help if it is the first rugby league set up in the country.
- Get involved with any local pubs or the like to help each other out, particularly if they aren't associated with local sporting clubs already.

You can't really sell the product when the product doesn't exist. There's no real point trying to sell league to union fans as 'it's like union, but better'. Find out what the popular sports aren't doing right and make that your selling point. Trying to start a new sport you need to look for people who aren't involved in another sport already. A lot of popular sports go too far into performance based coaching. Rugby league died out here because everything was about winning, and therefore money. I'm sure popular sports in other countries are the same. Focus on social aspects of the sport - community, family, mental health, friendship.

 

[latingringo101]

There's no simple answer because it depends on the country you are trying to start it up in. Here are a few things i've noticed that countries have done;

1. International Representation

Have seen this MANY times. Whether it be heritage players or the prospect of pulling on your national jersey in a new sport is a big draw card for new players. A lot of teams have started up because of international neighbours playing the game and forming a team of 17 guys to travel over the boarder and play in their first international. Has worked well in Europe, North and South America and Asia.


2. Pro Opportunities

Players knowing that there are financial and educational rewards for playing RL can help as well. A lot of players from developing RL nations have travelled to France, UK & Australia to play RL. There's also been players who have gone to Developing RL nations like USA, Canada, Cook Islands, Fiji etc to play RL.

Also describing the pro opportunities of RL are another "option" to Union players rather than putting it as though it is the "better" option can help keep a peaceful relationship with local Rugby clubs.

3. RL being a "unique" game.

Labeling RL as the next best thing seems to work well. A lot of new players have become interested by seeing action of NRL/SL or seeing it played in person. The best way i describe it to new people is as "6 down Rugby" or "Traditional Rugby meets Gridiron".

4. Paid Facebook ads

For a dollar a day you can target a selected Nation and promote RL to facebook users from that country. It helps put your foot in the door of that country and at least gets your name out there.

5. Contact the RLIF/RLEF etc

The RLIF has clear guidlines for what is needed to become affiliated to the RLIF. General they expect the following;

- Non for profit board with President, Treasurer etc
- Constitution
- 4-6 Domestic teams
- Youth Program etc.

It helps give you a good guideline on how to proceed best professionally when things get up and running.

6. Training sessions & Social Euro Tag/Touch games

Sometimes simple weekly training sessions or Touch games can help start a RL community. I've seen many cases where expats have promoted weekly RL training sessions which has led to teams and basic RL 9 competitions created out of that.

7. Donations

This is further down the line but you'll be surprised how far a dozen RL balls can be for the development of a sport. Other things like markers, jerseys, boots etc can also be great if the locals can't get them.

These are just some rough ideas I have come across over the years and it varies from nation to nation.

 

[langpark]

- partner with existing union clubs
.

For me, this is THE single biggest mistake some countries are making. I don't believe dual-code clubs can ever work and you will forever be the 2nd class citizens if you go down that road.

People also need to understand, you cannot always make a 'blanket' list that can apply wherever you implement it. You need to remember some things might work in some countries but not in others and vice-versa.

 

[adamkungl]

For me, this is THE single biggest mistake some countries are making. I don't believe dual-code clubs can ever work and you will forever be the 2nd class citizens if you go down that road.

People also need to understand, you cannot always make a 'blanket' list that can apply wherever you implement it. You need to remember some things might work in some countries but not in others and vice-versa.

Yeah. I think cooperation is good idea but a dual-code club is a dangerous play.

What about inviting Union clubs to enter your League comp though?
Say you have an existing comp run by the National League body, with enough standalone clubs, would you allow Union clubs to enter a League team?
So dual-code clubs could exist, but they wouldn't be the foundation of your operation.

 

[gUt]

Get it into the armed forces as part of whatever wider fitness/toughening/bonding programs they have.

 

[langpark]

Yeah. I think cooperation is good idea but a dual-code club is a dangerous play.

What about inviting Union clubs to enter your League comp though?
Say you have an existing comp run by the National League body, with enough standalone clubs, would you allow Union clubs to enter a League team?
So dual-code clubs could exist, but they wouldn't be the foundation of your operation.

I wouldn't do that either. Because there'll be days where clubs, no matter how strong, will struggle to make up the numbers, or struggle to afford to make an away trip. If they are committed to one comp that they care about (union) and are half-arsed competing in another, which matches are they likely to start forfeiting if any? It's a real shame when one or two forfeits can ruin an otherwise perfect competition.

I wouldn't shut the door on the completely, start off playing them in friendly matches, if they have shown an interest, and then go from there.

 

[T-Boon]

Get it into the armed forces as part of whatever wider fitness/toughening/bonding programs they have.

Nice. Get an Army, Navy, Air Force, Police Force comp going.

 

[deluded pom?]

The problem with using union players is that you either have to tailor your season around the union season or you wait for the inevitable conflict of interest and they choose union over League because of the short League season.

 

[latingringo101]

The problem with using union players is that you either have to tailor your season around the union season or you wait for the inevitable conflict of interest and they choose union over League because of the short League season.

The best concept I've heard of is in the cook islands. Union clubs play 6 months of the year and the other 6 months switch to League. There's a good relationship between the two codes from what I've heard and not conflict of interest.

When I was a kid I played for a club which ran Rugby league and Netball, plus there's many cases around the world where Rugby clubs play both codes.

As long as Rugby league is independent and runs its own competitions etc that's fine, it's only when there's cases where Union starts to get involved politically then it becomes a problem.

 

[deluded pom?]

The best concept I've heard of is in the cook islands. Union clubs play 6 months of the year and the other 6 months switch to League. There's a good relationship between the two codes from what I've heard and not conflict of interest.

When I was a kid I played for a club which ran Rugby league and Netball, plus there's many cases around the world where Rugby clubs play both codes.

As long as Rugby league is independent and runs its own competitions etc that's fine, it's only when there's cases where Union starts to get involved politically then it becomes a problem.

My comments were based on the USARL season which is too short IMO but one of the reasons for that is because a lot of the players play both codes and usually choose union over league because of it (short season) when forced to choose.

 

[latingringo101]

My comments were based on the USARL season which is too short IMO but one of the reasons for that is because a lot of the players play both codes and usually choose union over league because of it (short season) when forced to choose.

I think they do it to also avoid the NFL season as well. Plus the USARL season isn't the worst in the world. Some countries are lucky to have 2 or 3 rounds of action. Plus forfeits are regular

 

[yakstorm]

I've thankfully had the opportunity to be involved in the 'starting phase' (in various capacities) or witness the establishment of a few different leagues now.

Now whilst it would be great if there was a cookie cutter approach which could be taken, the reality unfortunately is that each region requires a different take.

Generalising and ignoring many of the cultural/historical variances of the nation, the approaches to getting a league establishing have been:

• Starting in Australia or the UK via Ex-Pat/Heritage players to establish a support network and/or interest back home.
• Finding a group of RL fans who all happen to be based in another nation and get them to kick start the league.
• Wooing across a club / league from Union or other team sport who are looking for off aeasse activities or are jaded.
• Fortunately finding a bunch of Students who learnt about RL during their studies / travel kick start effort / interest

Anyway, regardless of how the initali group came together, the next best step is to build numbers, both on and off the field.

Good ways to start this include posting on forums like this to see if you might happen to find people who can help (either locally or abroad), advertising on Facebook, creating a few media releases and sending them out and if ppssposs getting a FB Page, Twitter handle and Website up and running (you would be amazed the number of people who are just looking for League in a country they've just moved to).

There is also reaching out through local sports clubs, friend networks, Ex-Pat groups in various countries, etc. The risk with any of these is just dependent on any biases these groups might have towards RL. For example, it feels like many 'Australian Ex-Pat' groups / associations are run by either Union or AFL fans who often aren't supportive and can be destructive.

From there it is trying to keep people engaged, both on and off the field. Watching key NRL & SL games as a group can work, same with organising Nines, touch / tag events or joining existing touch / tag leagues with a team of potential RL players.

Trying to organise internationals / tours will definitely help you lure players, but they are also expensive and will sometimes attract the wrong types of players.

They are sometimes not possible if where you are establishing the league is huge distances away from any other outposts (although that is slowly becoming less of a problem).

If you can organise internationals, ideally you want to force any players into a relevant Nines or domestic competition before they are eligible for selection. May mean a weakened national team, but brings more committed players and ensures from the start that you reward those who are prepared to invest time & effort (these are the ones who will ensure whether or not you have a league for more than maybe a year or two).

There is definitely more I could add, but I should ask Adam, where are you looking at establishing a league?