Paul Condon
Juniors
- Messages
- 61
I have been reading this site with some interest over the past week. I am a Kiwi league nut, who has been stranded in Montana for a year, in a little place called Gardiner at the North Entrance of Yellowstone National Park.
I have a great deal of opinions on most things league having been involved since 1975 at the age of 8. As with most stranded leagies I have had to play onion, which is nowhere near as satisfying as league.
It is great to see the competition in the East going strong, and the Tomahawks playing internationals.
In terms of growing league in other US areas here are my thoughts.
Get people you hang with and play touch. Anybody, old young, whatever. Organise a touch competition after a few games. From this identify players who might play rugby league at 7's, play internally first, then go for a small tour or game against someone else. As David Niu would tell you it takes time.
For those others in small outposts of Florida, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky?, Tennessee?, Utah, get Touch going to spark peoples interest. It is close rules wise to League, and at least you'll have people who understand the fun and fitness involved in the game. Always keep mentioning this is the non contact version of League, in fact call it Touch Rugby League. In NZ Touch is the greatest summer participation sport.
My plan of attack is this, I have started Touch RL here with the locals, with just two teams so far as a recreational activity. Next Spring I will try and launch a 4 team touch competition of kids and adults, male and females. In the Summer I will be at Montana State University in Bozeman, working on my Masters in Sports Coaching. I will attempt to get a Summer Touch competition going there, exactly how or what format I don't know. As mentioned earlier I was playing onion, and they are a great bunch of blokes. I do not intend to conflict with their season initially. Next fall I am hoping to get a sevens Rugby League tournament organised. Who knows there may be interest in a one off game against someone.
As you can see there is a path, but not fast. At some stage people will need to see the game itself, videotape, and jerseys, playing field etc need to be organised. More people to help me here will need to be found for Touch and League.
In conclusion, I would like to see posts especially from others in the US to talk about efforts and problems they see in introducing League.
So all American leagies especially in the far flung areas of the US contact me.
Cheers Paul
ps. go the bloody kiwis mate!!!
I have a great deal of opinions on most things league having been involved since 1975 at the age of 8. As with most stranded leagies I have had to play onion, which is nowhere near as satisfying as league.
It is great to see the competition in the East going strong, and the Tomahawks playing internationals.
In terms of growing league in other US areas here are my thoughts.
Get people you hang with and play touch. Anybody, old young, whatever. Organise a touch competition after a few games. From this identify players who might play rugby league at 7's, play internally first, then go for a small tour or game against someone else. As David Niu would tell you it takes time.
For those others in small outposts of Florida, Texas, Georgia, Kentucky?, Tennessee?, Utah, get Touch going to spark peoples interest. It is close rules wise to League, and at least you'll have people who understand the fun and fitness involved in the game. Always keep mentioning this is the non contact version of League, in fact call it Touch Rugby League. In NZ Touch is the greatest summer participation sport.
My plan of attack is this, I have started Touch RL here with the locals, with just two teams so far as a recreational activity. Next Spring I will try and launch a 4 team touch competition of kids and adults, male and females. In the Summer I will be at Montana State University in Bozeman, working on my Masters in Sports Coaching. I will attempt to get a Summer Touch competition going there, exactly how or what format I don't know. As mentioned earlier I was playing onion, and they are a great bunch of blokes. I do not intend to conflict with their season initially. Next fall I am hoping to get a sevens Rugby League tournament organised. Who knows there may be interest in a one off game against someone.
As you can see there is a path, but not fast. At some stage people will need to see the game itself, videotape, and jerseys, playing field etc need to be organised. More people to help me here will need to be found for Touch and League.
In conclusion, I would like to see posts especially from others in the US to talk about efforts and problems they see in introducing League.
So all American leagies especially in the far flung areas of the US contact me.
Cheers Paul
ps. go the bloody kiwis mate!!!
