Rugby League - is it a fraternity?

[The Money Box Man]

Is there a genuine Rugby League fraternity in the way that there is in Rugby Union? From my experience Rugby Union is as much about being a member of a club and socialising as it is about actually playing the game. Furthermore, being part of the Rugby Union fraternity opens up huge networking opportunities as well as the sense of being part of a community. It's as if there's an instant bond between 2 rah rahs that might happen to meet each other.
So does this exist in Rugby League - as someone who has never played Rugby League as an adult, it doesn't appear so, or maybe not as much as Rugby Union. What do other people think?

 

[Kurt Angle]

RL has alway been about merit.

RU has always been about status.

That is why they are different.

 

[Gibbo]

I know it's probably different to what you're looking for but i believe that the existence of the 'Men of League' organisation proves that there are very strong bonds between rugby league players, fans and the wider community.

 

[LeagueXIII]

Of course there is.
It is the media who perpetuate this image of union spirit, just as they portrayed league players as playing only for money and union for love of the game. Rugby League is full of volunteers at a grass roots level, they don't rely on elite priveleged schools. The game produces a special camaraderie.
As much as union would like to be on the pedestal all alone it is not the case.

 

[Fairfax]

I'll second that. The volunteer culture in rugby league at grassroots surpasses everything i've seen from union. We share a home ground with a local union club, you'll see two or three setting up their part of the park, while there is 15-20 for our club. Union has grown it's support at the elite level while totally ignoring the grassroots. Why do you think they have to sign so many of our mid-range talents to bolster their numbers?