RLIF Launches new Strategic Plan

[siv]

Very good paper and sets a good strategy for Tier 1 nations

Still a lot of work to do in Pacific Asia Africa and Sth America

APRLC need to improve

But if we can have Qualifiers in the years between RLWC and Confederations Cups that will help drive regular Tier 2 contests

Tours schedule will be of interest

Not a fan of a year off better that they play other nations

Eg Wales France Canada US

Will Australia Tour NZ ?

Will England Tour NZ ?

 

[deluded pom?]

Eng v NZ or vice versa when Australia need a rest. I struggle to see how you could possibly copyright a sport's rules. I'm not saying it can't be done I just don't know how.

 

[The Voice of Reason!]

Impressed with the vision. Waiting for the lawyers to stomp on the Rugby World Cup Nines as a trademark infringement.

 

[siv]

RU could claim RL as their 13 man variation on RU - is the issue for emerging nations

 

[Foreign Legion]

Under the bold letters VALIANT it says london is getting a new club side???

 

[heights]

Gee a turnover of only $10m per year seems very conservative. Maybe they meant net profit?

With international sports rights going through the roof atm and the new international cup, world nines x2 now in addition to the World Cup to sell, you'd think they would get way more than that just from the various platforms of broadcasting rights without even taking into account the other revenue sources.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Under the bold letters VALIANT it says london is getting a new club side???

It says nothing in the story itself so I suspect it's a lazy caption writer who misread the story.

 

[titoelcolombiano]

Wow RL is really (finally) starting to get its act together. I'm really impressed with all that's going on with the RLIF, RFL and NRL at the moment. The latter two providing opportunities and pathways for French, Welsh, Fijian and PNG talent and the RLIF for taking this step. I especially love the points about improving the image of the RLIF. Much of the poor state of internationals comes down to the lack of leadership from a coherent governing body. When strong leadership is lacking, self interest and infighting takes over which we are all very familiar with in the past. I'm really excited to see this play out.

Co-incidentally the new NRL TV rights kick off in 2018 and they have made similar suggestions of reform from that point onwards with regards to the calendar (admittedly without having released any offical plans yet) so it seems that we may turn a corner come 2017 onwards. I can't wait.

 

[siv]

By focusing on the G20

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and Spain

What will happen in the Pacific development ??

 

[adamkungl]

By focusing on the G20

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and Spain

What will happen in the Pacific development ??

I feel (and suspect most people in power do) that while the Pacific Islands can probably improve to the point of occasionally upsetting the top teams, competitive success is more likely to be sporadic than sustained due to tiny populations - PNG the obvious exception here, though they might be limited by financial or political instability.

Of the plan to target two "new" G-20 countries, given that we already have a fair few developing, i'd guess that they'll be looking towards Argentina and Japan or China - two continents where we so far have the least presence.

 

[magpie_man]

I feel (and suspect most people in power do) that while the Pacific Islands can probably improve to the point of occasionally upsetting the top teams, competitive success is more likely to be sporadic than sustained due to tiny populations - PNG the obvious exception here, though they might be limited by financial or political.

It depends; both Australia and New Zealand have significant diaspora hailing from the Pacific Islands, Samoa and Tonga in particular, many of which who end up playing rugby league. Not all of them are going to align themselves with their nation of heritage, nor should they be expected to, but even if a small percentage of NRL-standard players from each nation do, you're looking at a pretty competitive line-up.
Add to that the rising dominance of the Polynesian & Melanesian athlete in the game and you're going to get some damn strong PI teams.

 

[siv]

At the moment all 6 Pacific nations 7 if you consider NZ is not a G20 nation are better than all European MEA and Americas countries

 

[adamkungl]

At the moment all 6 Pacific nations 7 if you consider NZ is not a G20 nation are better than all European MEA and Americas countries

For now. If this is still the case in 10 years you could almost say our international endeavours have been a complete failure.

 

[LeagueXIII]

By focusing on the G20

Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and Spain

What will happen in the Pacific development ??

The NRL have plans to develop the region.... another great move Dave Smith implemented

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-13/nrl-plan-to-grow-in-the-pacific-region/5668876

http://fijisun.com.fj/2014/08/22/nrl-outlines-pacific-plan-strategy/

 

[siv]

I see lots of talk from a RU and NFL player

No Pacific tests sheduled and no Pacific Cup or Pacific Shield planned

 

[deal.with.it]

The biggest thing i think is that this strategic plan was approved unanimously.

I know its tough for us but we will have to wait for 2018. Accept that the ceo and the board are finally creating the calendar we all want.

 

[siv]

I agree its great to have a strategy

But RL internationals seem to be arranged worse that NRL trial fixtures

You cant negotiate TV rights or double the fan base in that manner

Unless they are trying to reduce the TV fan base to zero before they try and double it

 

[adamkungl]

Bump.

I've been wondering when we're likely to hear more about this Strategic Plan - specifically more detailed information on how they intend to reach their fairly lofty goals by 2025.
Are we likely to get any elaboration on this?

I'm most interested in if there is a coordinated 'plan of attack' to expand the sport's footprint.
By 'coordinated' I mean the RLIF actively working with regional and local bodies, funding or helping to source funding, mapping out and hitting targets for specific regions.

It was said that they will be targeting G20 countries for expansion - we've seen Canada enter the fray, but I'm not sure it was anything to do with RLIF involvement. France angling for a second SL team, but again, this seems locally driven. What level of engagement could or should we expect from the RLIF?

 

[hutch]

Bump.

I've been wondering when we're likely to hear more about this Strategic Plan - specifically more detailed information on how they intend to reach their fairly lofty goals by 2025.
Are we likely to get any elaboration on this?

I'm most interested in if there is a coordinated 'plan of attack' to expand the sport's footprint.
By 'coordinated' I mean the RLIF actively working with regional and local bodies, funding or helping to source funding, mapping out and hitting targets for specific regions.

It was said that they will be targeting G20 countries for expansion - we've seen Canada enter the fray, but I'm not sure it was anything to do with RLIF involvement. France angling for a second SL team, but again, this seems locally driven. What level of engagement could or should we expect from the RLIF?

A few English posters in another forum have emailed David collier recently and he is pretty good at replying. Maybe try and aim a few questions at him and see if we can get answers. I'm pretty sure his email is on the rlif website.

 

[adamkungl]

Some slightly rambling thoughts.. this may or may not come out to anything interesting or coherent, bear with me. Straight up admit it's half pie in the sky nonsense but it's the kind of lofty aims I want to see from the RLIF.

If i was Strategic Planning:

I'd give regions a rank, 1 to 5. Something like:
1 - No or sporadic RL participation
2 - Regular amateur competition
3 - Sustainable professional level team, decent participation and media exposure levels
4 - Healthy professional competition or top level pro team(s), high participation and exposure levels
5 - Total domination of regional sporting landscape

Rugby League is dominated by a few hotspots. We need to grow these hotspots and expand from them.

Easy example, Australia:

Sydney, Brisbane = 4
Regional NSW+QLD = 3
Melbourne = 3.5
Perth, everywhere else = 2

By picking achievable targets we can give momentum to the areas surrounding, with the aim to bump each region up a rank in 5 or 10 years. Easily achievable targets in this case include a Perth NRL team, and second grade semi-pro teams for other regions.
Not much the RLIF can do with Australia though, obviously, except push for more international engagement.

In the Pacific, Fiji is a good example.
You would probably rank Fiji a 2.5 on the above scale. For them to be a competitive international outfit, they need to move up to a 3 or 3.5.
The obvious step is in progress, entering the NSW Cup, with the flow on effect raising the size and quality of their local scene.

Europe has the advantage of lots more adjacent countries being able to build off each other, but with far fewer and less prominent 'hotspots'. But the logic remains the same, work outwards from bases of strength.

In the UK the goal is to improve Super League's reach, to bring more regions up to Super League level, and improve participation and coverage overall.
An overall daunting task but broken into smaller goals it feels more manageable.
1. 4 years
a. Toulouse, London and Cumbria promotions into Super League.
b. Wales and Midlands promotions to Championship.
c. Establish stable junior and amateur Leagues in Scotland and Ireland.
d. More London, South, Cumbria promotions to Championship.

2. 8 years
a. Wales and Midlands promotions to Super League
b. Scottish and Irish promotions to League 1.

3. 16 years
a. Bring Super League standard and money closer to NRL level.
b. 2nd Welsh and London promotions to Super League
c. Scottish and Irish promotions to Super League
d. More Scottish and Irish promotions to Championship and League1.

The RLIF should be working as the middleman between target nations and the major Leagues and governments, in the above 2 cases between Pacific nations and the ARL, and UK nations and the RFL. Main task is to secure funding to push the above goals above the abilities and reach of local structures.

France is a different story. The main goal is to establish a pro-league to mirror the Super League, long term, and use this to piggyback Spain and Italy.
1. 4 years
a. Toulouse entry into Super League
b. Stabilise club funding and media engagement in Elite 1 and 2 Leagues in anticipation of professional upgrade.
c. Build up Paris and Northern league participation at amateur level, and coverage of Elite Leagues.

2. 8 years
a. Establishment of a televised professional League with the quality level aimed at around UK Championship. Southern based with 1 Paris and maybe 1 other Northern team.
b. Expansion of 2nd and 3rd divisions outside of heartland regions.

3. 16 years
a. Move Catalans and Toulouse from Super League to French Pro.
b. Expansion of French Pro League to Paris and Northern regions.

Italy
1. 4 years
a. Establish a unified national League
b. Stabilise and grow junior and regional amateur leagues

2. 8 years
a. Enter a professional team into French Leagues.
b. Gain media exposure for national League to progress towards stable semi-pro structure

3. 16 years
a. Reach top level of French Leagues.
b. Begin plans for formation of Italian Pro League

...etc etc

Sorry for this total ramble :lol: Dreams....