http://www.sport.scotsman.com/rugby.cfm?id=1267602003
Ripe for rugby league conversion
GAVIN WILLACY
THIS afternoons European Nations Cup Final sees Scotlands rugby league internationalists play the role of spectators, knowing that, but for one unforced error in the last minute of their game with Ireland three weeks ago, they would be marching out to play England in Warrington.
That cruel 24-22 defeat at Glasgow Hawks Old Anniesland ground meant that even a dogged 8-6 victory over France in Narbonne last Sunday was not enough to take Billy McGintys side of English-based professionals to a meeting with the Auld Enemy. Instead, France have the unenviable task of stopping John Kears star-studded youngsters.
Considering that they were brought together as a squad only in late October, a reborn Scotland can still be proud of their performances in their two European Nations Cup games, especially the victory in France against a French side who played regularly during the Scots financially-enforced two-year hibernation.
At many levels, 2003 has been an important year for the development of rugby league here: from the very top, with Scotland internationals Lee Gilmour and Richard Horne playing for Great Britain in the current Ashes series against Australia, to the schools throughout Strathclyde and Fife, where development officer Mark Senter has co-ordinated a considerably improved coaching scheme.
The progress at junior level is such that Senter was able to field Scotlands first under-13 team in August. They made Cumbria fight all the way for their narrow victory at Cartha Queens Park in Glasgow and showed an appetite for the game that is vital for success.
It is at primary school level that Scotlands future lies: soon, many of those homegrown players will have been playing rugby league for as long as their neighbours in the League strongholds of Cumbria, Yorkshire and Lancashire - vital if Scotland are to compete in regional junior championships.
That is something that Scotland have done at under-19, Student and A-team level this year. Five years of coaching and management by ex-Edinburgh Eagle Kevin Rudd and former Wales international John Risman has seen some reward, with both the under-19 and student teams going close to winning their respective home nations championships for the first time, held in tandem in Glasgow last April.
Although all three squads are split almost exactly between born-and-bred Scots (known as "residents") and the Scottish-qualified Englishmen ("exiles"), their camaraderie and unity was remarkable on a summer European tour which saw the student and A teams win all six international matches on an arduous coach trip from Scotland to Serbia and back, via the Netherlands and Italy.
Exiles such as Neil Foster, Ash Carroll, Chris Fletcher and James Mack play in Englands lower divisions and share that experience with the residents in the Scotland A squad, all of whom are Union-converts.
It is some indication of how much they have taken to the passing code of League that Scotland A forward Scott MacGillivray played in the British Polices recent surprise series win over their Australian counterparts.
Ardrossans Scotland under-19 second-rower Brian Hendry is being watched by English giants St Helens, and Barry Edgar was close to winning a senior cap against Ireland. All three play in the humble Scottish RL Conference - for Fife Lions, Clyde Buccaneers and Glasgow Bulls respectively.
Not that Scotlands rugby league doesnt have its problems. The grassroots game is run by a handful of volunteers and funded by tiny grants, small gestures of sponsorship and the players themselves.
Even the Scotland A internationals have to pay for their travel, training kit and accommodation.
There is a lot of commitment, some success but no money. International crowds of around 1,000 may be reasonable in comparison with attendances at professional rugby union in Glasgow and Edinburgh, but the Leeds-based Rugby Football League would not be alone if they are wondering whether they were spending their money wisely in funding the Scotland pro side for two matches a year, especially when little or nothing is put aside for marketing or TV coverage.
Further investment in development would seem a better option, but these questions would have been put to one side if Scotland had been seen beating England in the European Nations Cup Final on Sky Sports this afternoon. Instead, they must ponder them over a long winter break - except for the Scottish champions, Edinburgh Eagles, however, who will fly the Saltire in the Powergen Rugby League Challenge Cup First Round.
As they travel down to Yorkshire on 29 November for their clash with National Conference Division Two strugglers Heworth, the Edinburgh players will prepare to switch from line-outs and mauls mode to play-the-ball and ten-yard rules.
It is always difficult to adjust, but that is what the Eagles must do if they are to break an unwanted record and become the first Scottish side to progress beyond the first hurdle of rugby leagues most respected and famous competition.
Ripe for rugby league conversion
GAVIN WILLACY
THIS afternoons European Nations Cup Final sees Scotlands rugby league internationalists play the role of spectators, knowing that, but for one unforced error in the last minute of their game with Ireland three weeks ago, they would be marching out to play England in Warrington.
That cruel 24-22 defeat at Glasgow Hawks Old Anniesland ground meant that even a dogged 8-6 victory over France in Narbonne last Sunday was not enough to take Billy McGintys side of English-based professionals to a meeting with the Auld Enemy. Instead, France have the unenviable task of stopping John Kears star-studded youngsters.
Considering that they were brought together as a squad only in late October, a reborn Scotland can still be proud of their performances in their two European Nations Cup games, especially the victory in France against a French side who played regularly during the Scots financially-enforced two-year hibernation.
At many levels, 2003 has been an important year for the development of rugby league here: from the very top, with Scotland internationals Lee Gilmour and Richard Horne playing for Great Britain in the current Ashes series against Australia, to the schools throughout Strathclyde and Fife, where development officer Mark Senter has co-ordinated a considerably improved coaching scheme.
The progress at junior level is such that Senter was able to field Scotlands first under-13 team in August. They made Cumbria fight all the way for their narrow victory at Cartha Queens Park in Glasgow and showed an appetite for the game that is vital for success.
It is at primary school level that Scotlands future lies: soon, many of those homegrown players will have been playing rugby league for as long as their neighbours in the League strongholds of Cumbria, Yorkshire and Lancashire - vital if Scotland are to compete in regional junior championships.
That is something that Scotland have done at under-19, Student and A-team level this year. Five years of coaching and management by ex-Edinburgh Eagle Kevin Rudd and former Wales international John Risman has seen some reward, with both the under-19 and student teams going close to winning their respective home nations championships for the first time, held in tandem in Glasgow last April.
Although all three squads are split almost exactly between born-and-bred Scots (known as "residents") and the Scottish-qualified Englishmen ("exiles"), their camaraderie and unity was remarkable on a summer European tour which saw the student and A teams win all six international matches on an arduous coach trip from Scotland to Serbia and back, via the Netherlands and Italy.
Exiles such as Neil Foster, Ash Carroll, Chris Fletcher and James Mack play in Englands lower divisions and share that experience with the residents in the Scotland A squad, all of whom are Union-converts.
It is some indication of how much they have taken to the passing code of League that Scotland A forward Scott MacGillivray played in the British Polices recent surprise series win over their Australian counterparts.
Ardrossans Scotland under-19 second-rower Brian Hendry is being watched by English giants St Helens, and Barry Edgar was close to winning a senior cap against Ireland. All three play in the humble Scottish RL Conference - for Fife Lions, Clyde Buccaneers and Glasgow Bulls respectively.
Not that Scotlands rugby league doesnt have its problems. The grassroots game is run by a handful of volunteers and funded by tiny grants, small gestures of sponsorship and the players themselves.
Even the Scotland A internationals have to pay for their travel, training kit and accommodation.
There is a lot of commitment, some success but no money. International crowds of around 1,000 may be reasonable in comparison with attendances at professional rugby union in Glasgow and Edinburgh, but the Leeds-based Rugby Football League would not be alone if they are wondering whether they were spending their money wisely in funding the Scotland pro side for two matches a year, especially when little or nothing is put aside for marketing or TV coverage.
Further investment in development would seem a better option, but these questions would have been put to one side if Scotland had been seen beating England in the European Nations Cup Final on Sky Sports this afternoon. Instead, they must ponder them over a long winter break - except for the Scottish champions, Edinburgh Eagles, however, who will fly the Saltire in the Powergen Rugby League Challenge Cup First Round.
As they travel down to Yorkshire on 29 November for their clash with National Conference Division Two strugglers Heworth, the Edinburgh players will prepare to switch from line-outs and mauls mode to play-the-ball and ten-yard rules.
It is always difficult to adjust, but that is what the Eagles must do if they are to break an unwanted record and become the first Scottish side to progress beyond the first hurdle of rugby leagues most respected and famous competition.
