Paramatta In Seattle

[usarlfan69]

I was reading about how the Paramatta Eels have just had a training camp in Seattle, and they have some interest in playing an NRL match in that area. Have they had any communication with the USARL about this?

I know if it happened I would be trying my hardest to make it over to Seattle to see this. It would also be huge as far as exposure of the game in the 'states.

Party on, -Bottle

 

[Boston13s]

I certainly haven't heard anything official (Just what I have seen on Twitter). It's a crying shame if they have spent a week in the US and not looked to promote the game during their trip. Surely inviting some promising US players into their camp could have been done without much fuss or inviting established USARL coaches to watch sessions and interact with coaches?

It's a big shame that none of this has happened. Leeds on the other hand are playing a game versus the best US talent while they are here. How great is that!!

 

[usarlfan69]

just google 'paramatta seattle' and there are several stories about them being there.

The Leeds Rhinos vs. USA is going to be great. I'm waiting anxiously to see a play on roster for the usa player pool, or has the team already been selected? Pope, Timpano, Wiggins, Uuyttewaal, Britt, Howitt, Defau, Dawn, Alleger, Alley, Brown, Trahan, Beaver, Clarks, Thornton. USA has a ton of talent, I cant wait for this.

 

[Boston13s]

No selections have been made yet. Clubs have been asked for nominations and Spinner is then sifting through those.

In the guys you mention above there is certainly some talent as their is in our young Boston squad and I know that all of the 2014 teams (with the exception of Baltimore) will have players that could be knocking on the door for selection for this game.

 

[expansionist]

Interested to know if Parra made any contact with the USARL before their trip, and if they are actually doing anything to help promote the code while they are there?

 

[Boston13s]

I am on the USARL board of directors and never heard anything. It's interesting that the British Columbia RL are sending 4 guys to Parramatta in the near future (And sent 2 last year I believe). Maybe they linked with those guys while they were in Seattle?

 

[maccattack]

Interested to know if Parra made any contact with the USARL before their trip, and if they are actually doing anything to help promote the code while they are there?

Even if they aren't promoting. At the very least they should be inviting RL players and administrators along for what would be invaluable insights and experience.

 

[gyallop]

That is a wasted opportunity as the USA captain Joseph Paulo would be there and the big winger from the RLWC...Its been all over the news so why didnt the USARL reach out??

I think South Sydney is in Arizona now and hasnt someone at the USARL got connections as they played in Florida a few years back?

its hard enough getting NRL clubs to do much here so someone would need to shove them over there to do anything

 

[PacificCoastRL]

It is my understanding that the Eels were in Seattle to learn "best practices" for their organization, by spending time with the pro and university clubs in the area. The Eels were at the Seattle Sounders practice facility, University of Washington's football stadium and at the Seattle Seahawks stadium. I believe I also heard they went to the Mariners ballpark as well. Yesterday the Eels also announced they will be looking at playing a game in Seattle prior to the start of the 2016 season (sometime in February) against another NRL club. I also know that British Columbia rugby league is very interested in playing a curtain raiser prior to the Eels' game.

 

[usarlfan69]

That is a wasted opportunity as the USA captain Joseph Paulo would be there and the big winger from the RLWC...Its been all over the news so why didnt the USARL reach out??

I think South Sydney is in Arizona now and hasnt someone at the USARL got connections as they played in Florida a few years back?

its hard enough getting NRL clubs to do much here so someone would need to shove them over there to do anything

Interesting enough, Joseph Paulo, the Tomahawks captain from the RLWC didnt even contact the USARL. Im sorry Gyallop, but this wasn't "all over the news" here in the united states. I found out about this after digging into whats been going on with Jarryd Hayne in the US, so its not like the USARL officials just had this obvious opportunity in front of them. Why wouldn't the Captain of the USA team even make an effort to reach out to future potential teammates or administrators. Maybe he is above "growing the game in the US," (I truely hope that this is not the case) in which I would say that the US could find a much better captain.

Thats just my perspective on it. How about a captain, a coach, and an entire team that truely take pride in the Stars and Bars and want to advance the game in the USA instead of just adding USA representative side to their resume.

 

[heights]

No use crying or whinging over what could have or should have happened and pointing fingers. What is done is done.

The great thing is it appears the Eels are heading back next year so everyone on both sides of the Pacific, Aust, US and Canadian have a year to co-ordinate and plan and maximise their visit for the benefit of all.

 

[gyallop]

Interesting enough, Joseph Paulo, the Tomahawks captain from the RLWC didnt even contact the USARL. Im sorry Gyallop, but this wasn't "all over the news" here in the united states. I found out about this after digging into whats been going on with Jarryd Hayne in the US, so its not like the USARL officials just had this obvious opportunity in front of them. Why wouldn't the Captain of the USA team even make an effort to reach out to future potential teammates or administrators. Maybe he is above "growing the game in the US," (I truely hope that this is not the case) in which I would say that the US could find a much better captain.

Thats just my perspective on it. How about a captain, a coach, and an entire team that truely take pride in the Stars and Bars and want to advance the game in the USA instead of just adding USA representative side to their resume.

So noone in RL in the USA reads the NRL news online? Give it a break ...one thing the USARL has been very good at is social media to promote itself and the domestic game.

I doubt very much though that Parra would have let any USA players/coaches inside their camp as they would have wanted to focus on getting as much out the professional US sports as they could as PCRL posted which is why they went there.

 

[DC_fan]

The Eels in Seattle must be getting a lot of publicity in the US.

 

[Rugbyflorida]

just google 'paramatta seattle' and there are several stories about them being there.

The Leeds Rhinos vs. USA is going to be great. I'm waiting anxiously to see a play on roster for the usa player pool, or has the team already been selected? Pope, Timpano, Wiggins, Uuyttewaal, Britt, Howitt, Defau, Dawn, Alleger, Alley, Brown, Trahan, Beaver, Clarks, Thornton. USA has a ton of talent, I cant wait for this.

Good bit of talent there, but one would thing some of the guys are a bit out of there prime and some younger talent up north would be available.
The young guys would be strong C. Clark, Alley, Pope..but still i don't see anyone giving the top team in the SL much of a fight.
Should be a fun game to watch.

 

[Evil Homer]

I doubt Parramatta were aware that the USARL existed.

 

[cumberlandsashes81]

And yet the Eels' organisation has heard of the British Columbia Rugby League...

 

[Asnito]

The Eels in Seattle must be getting a lot of publicity in the US.

They might be getting some locally but nothing nationally. ESPN has a little blurb about Hayne but nothing on the Eels.

 

[Teddy G]

Only my opinion, but, from what I can see the USARL are just focusing on the USARL and building on current club structures and getting ready for 2015. I don't think a visit from Parra was on the radar or was it even necessary to have guys fly out. Yeah, it would be awesome for coaches in the States (League or Union) to gather valuable info / knowledge of pro club operation but there is always next time.

 

[PacificCoastRL]

And yet the Eels' organisation has heard of the British Columbia Rugby League...

Yes they have. Last year two players from British Columbia went to Australia and trained with the Eels, one stayed and I believe played with one of the higher ranked feeder teams of the Eels. This year four players are going to Australia, again to train with the Eels. There is a connection - an ex-pat from Orange, NSW, is the driving force of the BCRL, in fact, I assure you, if he was not in BC there would be no BCRL.

 

[cumberlandsashes81]

Yes they have. Last year two players from British Columbia went to Australia and trained with the Eels, one stayed and I believe played with one of the higher ranked feeder teams of the Eels. This year four players are going to Australia, again to train with the Eels. There is a connection - an ex-pat from Orange is the driving force of the BCRL, in fact, I assure you, if he was not in BC there would be no BCRL.

Yes, one of them (Chris Chalmers) played a couple of games for Wentworthville at NSW Cup level... hopefully, the four coming in January get a similar chance. My main point was that the Parramatta Eels are clearly not completely ignorant of what is happening in Rugby league in North America.