International Expansion Through the Club Game

[titoelcolombiano]

We have two professional leagues in the world; England and Australia. Outside of those two countries, we have managed to expand and place clubs in other countries:

• New Zealand (NZ Warriors - pro)
• France (Catalans - pro, Toulouse Semi-pro)
• PNG (Hunters - pro)
• Wales (Crusaders, Raiders - semi-pro)
• Canada (Toronto - pro)

My questions are these:

Who is likely to be next and in what order? What are some viable future options? Will there ever be a third pro comp?

For me the next clubs will hopefully be:

• Fiji (NSW Cup - pro in 2020)
• Red Star Belgrade, Serbia (League 1 - pro in 2020)
• New York / USA franchise (League 1 - pro in 2021)

Future options:

• A second pro NZ team in the NRL
• Toulouse finally making it to SL giving France a second professional side
• One or both Welsh clubs developing to SL level in the future giving Wales a professional presence
• A third French team entering league 1
• A third North American franchise

France is obviously our best bet for a third pro comp but I think it can be a Euro-wide comp using French clubs as a basis.

 

[Perth Red]

Sadly the game isnt seen to be big enough or followed in sufficient numbers for a media company to pay enough for a FT pro league in any other country. With TV $'s there isnt enough revenue to pay FT squads. France would be the obvious next place as they already have a semi pro league but there isnt enough TV money on offer to see 8-10 FT clubs in France.

As for the next club, wherever has a multi millionaire come along willing to invest in getting there is the answer to that one.

 

[Walter sobchak]

Wasn’t there a purposed French professional league with teams from lens and Paris mooted recently??

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Wasn’t there a purposed French professional league with teams from lens and Paris mooted recently??

There always seems to be rumours but nothing comes of it. Probably because of lack of TV interest as PR has stated. France should keep entering the English system 1 by 1 until the interest grows large enough in France for the TV companies to take notice. Either that or integrate the French system with the English for P&R purposes:

• 1st Teir: European SuperLeague (Relegation to The Championship - two bottom teams go down)
• 2nd Teir: The Championship (Promotion to SL and Relegation to League 1 - two up and two down)
• 3rd Teir: English League 1 / French Elite 1 (Run side-by-side as conferences with the winner of each getting promoted to The Championship - clubs relegated go to their country's league)

Non-English and non-French teams (Toronto, Red Star, New York) can choose which league 1 to align with.

This will give the French system more importance as it links it to the pro ranks and the European SL and also allows their best to progress which could invite investment and sponsorship.

 

[Perth Red]

The best bet would be to get the French comp up to the standard of the English Championship then have a playoff between the French champion and the championship winner for the promotion spot to SL. Toulouse shouldn't need to be in the Championship, they should have a pathway to SL through their own French comp imo.

 

[Walter sobchak]

If it was upto me I’d have around 4-5 French teams max in the U.K. league pyramid with the majority of teams from big cities and expansion cities at that for example :-

1. Catalans
2. Toulouse
3. Paris
4. Marseille
5. Lyon

 

[siv]

When you look at these sort of expansions

Should we look to the soccer model

Eg a club champions league strategy

I do like the concept of the Balkans SL for the small nations though

 

[Walter sobchak]

When you look at these sort of expansions

Should we look to the soccer model

Eg a club champions league strategy

I do like the concept of the Balkans SL for the small nations though

Balkans super league is a fantastic concept and I’ve always thought a similar format could be used in Scandinavia or for the Baltic countries.

 

[Coastbloke]

The RLIF definitely should make some funds available for the Balkan SL.

 

[Perth Red]

The RLIF definitely should make some funds available for the Balkan SL.

They probably could have done if the NRL had done its job with the last RLWC!