USARL add 3 new Development Teams in the West/Southwest

[Fighter]

Please welcome Tommy Khoshaba and his team the Los Angeles Raiders to the USARL family, along with Loren Broussard of the Dallas Dragons, and Larry Monks leading the Houston Hornets.

That brings the USARL league total of teams up to 13. 8 Full member teams (Phila, Jax, Boston, Oneida, DC, New Haven, NJ, Rhode Island) and 5 developmental teams (Utah, Denver, Dallas, Houston, and LA) that have fully committed.

There are still many teams out there that have not made a decision yet, but that will not stop the USARL from supporting them in every way to get Rugby League going in the states regardless of affiliation. Have a question, we will answer it.

A true national championship can only be a few years away with so many teams getting in the fold out West and the Southwest. Get on board today and let's make Rugby League the fasting growing sport in the USA!

 

[roopy]

The USARL needs to use the 'War on the Shore' concept to have a way to give these 'development' teams a target to aim for and some game time.

I think it's the best thing to come out of the AMNRL, and would be just as useful for any comp - you could probably even use the same venue on a different weekend - if it ain't broke, why fix it.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Please welcome Tommy Khoshaba and his team the Los Angeles Raiders to the USARL family, along with Loren Broussard of the Dallas Dragons, and Larry Monks leading the Houston Hornets.

That brings the USARL league total of teams up to 13. 8 Full member teams (Phila, Jax, Boston, Oneida, DC, New Haven, NJ, Rhode Island) and 5 developmental teams (Utah, Denver, Dallas, Houston, and LA) that have fully committed.

There are still many teams out there that have not made a decision yet, but that will not stop the USARL from supporting them in every way to get Rugby League going in the states regardless of affiliation. Have a question, we will answer it.

A true national championship can only be a few years away with so many teams getting in the fold out West and the Southwest. Get on board today and let's make Rugby League the fasting growing sport in the USA!

What about Pittsburg? And you might say Fairfax as well, although clearly they have no players as such because they're all at DC.

 

[Fighter]

Roopy, the war at the shore concept never worked for the teams, too much travel cost (flights and rooms) involved and nothing to sell to sponsors, it was a dead market. We are hoping tournaments like the 9's we host in May will be economical and attract sponsors to our main teams home market. Plus it is a central place to travel by flights and cars. Going to the shore and getting a few games did nothing for any of the teams except a fun day of playing and drinking. It didn't develop the game at all, and was a major fighting points between the teams and the league.

 

[Fighter]

What about Pittsburg? And you might say Fairfax as well, although clearly they have no players as such because they're all at DC.

Pittsburgh needed to pull back and regroup as far as players and sponsors were concerned. Fairfax's owner moved to Texas and the coach is now with DC and the players as well. We are hoping they can both regroup in 2012 and rejoin. The Alexandria Storm will be formed instead of Fairfax if they come back.

 

[yakstorm]

Ryan, question, whilst naturally the aim of the USARL will be to develop a truly national championship at the top level, are there any plans to develop a proper second division competition by the USARL particularly in the Philadelphia area where a significant amount of the current Rugby League population is based?

I only ask the question because over the years I've seen plenty of teams have upwards to 30 players available on match day, and miss out on the chance to play significant minutes due to the fact a game only goes for 80 minutes. Ideally it would be great if there was an opportunity for some of the lesser skilled players to develop their playing skills below the likes of Jacksonville and so on, who have very strong squads.

 

[Fighter]

Ryan, question, whilst naturally the aim of the USARL will be to develop a truly national championship at the top level, are there any plans to develop a proper second division competition by the USARL particularly in the Philadelphia area where a significant amount of the current Rugby League population is based?

I only ask the question because over the years I've seen plenty of teams have upwards to 30 players available on match day, and miss out on the chance to play significant minutes due to the fact a game only goes for 80 minutes. Ideally it would be great if there was an opportunity for some of the lesser skilled players to develop their playing skills below the likes of Jacksonville and so on, who have very strong squads.

We are looking for all teams to be able to field B sides this year, but that will all depend on the cost of travel and be on a game by game basis.

 

[East Coast Tiger]

Pittsburgh needed to pull back and regroup as far as players and sponsors were concerned. Fairfax's owner moved to Texas and the coach is now with DC and the players as well. We are hoping they can both regroup in 2012 and rejoin. The Alexandria Storm will be formed instead of Fairfax if they come back.

Yes I'm aware of that. I just meant they could also be listed under the USARL's development teams too.

 

[joshreading]

The OC Outlaws have now officially joined the USARL as well. They initially planned on being independant of each organisation but they obviously have changed their minds.

That gives the USARL a number of teams in Cali and should mean the possibility of a comp there atleast next year with some games this year.

USARL West

Los Angeles Raiders - Cali
OC Outlaws - Cali
Las Vegas - Nevada
Denver Wolverines - Colorado
Utah Avalanche - Utah
Houston Hornets - Texas
Dallas Dragons - Texas
Phoenix? (there has been mention of Utah playing Phoenix but no names) - Arizona
Seattle Force (I think are going to USARL but need to dot some i's) - Washington

There is also talk of more teams

 

[SeattleForce]

The OC Outlaws have now officially joined the USARL as well. They initially planned on being independant of each organisation but they obviously have changed their minds.

That gives the USARL a number of teams in Cali and should mean the possibility of a comp there atleast next year with some games this year.

USARL West

Los Angeles Raiders - Cali
OC Outlaws - Cali
Las Vegas - Nevada
Denver Wolverines - Colorado
Utah Avalanche - Utah
Houston Hornets - Texas
Dallas Dragons - Texas
Phoenix? (there has been mention of Utah playing Phoenix but no names) - Arizona
Seattle Force (I think are going to USARL but need to dot some i's) - Washington

There is also talk of more teams

Correct JR; we will be staying independent for the time being as there is still a lot of work to be done. We are also sending out feelers to see if there is anyone interested in setting up a second Washington and Oregon team to help populate the NW region.

There is, supposedly, a couple of teams in Canada, and one in Portland, but still waiting for a confirmation on that!

 

[Goddo]

David Niu needs to get off his high horse right about now and talk to the USARL, or his comp faces oblivion.

 

[Evil Homer]

What does 'development club' actually mean? Obviously that these clubs have provisionally pledged to join the USARL, but realistically what is the difference between them and the likes of Seattle?

 

[SeattleForce]

The USARL is doing a lot with the development teams in terms of advice, guidance, insurance and a whole lot more. I am sure Fighter or Spinner could elaborate more so.

That said, Seattle is still receiving the latest communications from USARL-HQ, though are unable to be covered through their insurance etc.

The reason we have not committed as yet is, we do not want to provide false hopes or dreams. We are doing our very best to develop the game locally, and then blow the USARL competition open with 3 straight premierships

I jest!

 

[yakstorm]

Well its encouraging to see SF that the USARL are still prepared to work with you and support where possible regardless of whether you affiliate with them now or forever just continue to do your own thing.

I think it's great as well you are being realistic with the whole planning process and have a true desire to setup more than just a club in Seattle but a Rugby League community. Certainly that's no small project, but encouraging as well that teams that are relatively close to you also won't discriminate as to who you are affiliated with if the opportunity to play a Seattle team(s) comes up.

 

[Fighter]

The OC Outlaws have now officially joined the USARL as well. They initially planned on being independant of each organisation but they obviously have changed their minds.

That gives the USARL a number of teams in Cali and should mean the possibility of a comp there atleast next year with some games this year.

USARL West

Los Angeles Raiders - Cali
OC Outlaws - Cali
Las Vegas - Nevada
Denver Wolverines - Colorado
Utah Avalanche - Utah
Houston Hornets - Texas
Dallas Dragons - Texas
Phoenix? (there has been mention of Utah playing Phoenix but no names) - Arizona
Seattle Force (I think are going to USARL but need to dot some i's) - Washington

There is also talk of more teams

Josh,
Las Vegas have not committed to either league as of yet. Obviously with LA and OC joining in it really makes sense for Vegas to get in now as they could conceivably have a mini comp in place as early as this year.

 

[clarency]

The USARL is doing a lot with the development teams in terms of advice, guidance, insurance and a whole lot more. I am sure Fighter or Spinner could elaborate more so.

That said, Seattle is still receiving the latest communications from USARL-HQ, though are unable to be covered through their insurance etc.

Do you have any communication with the AMNRL?

 

[SeattleForce]

Do you have any communication with the AMNRL?

The Who? Oh... No. Since we declared we were staying independent for the time being, the AMNRL decided to cut all ties with Seattle Rugby League and Seattle Force.

USARL, however, has acted responsibly, professionally and displayed a sincere interest in the development and growth of Rugby League nation wide.

 

[joshreading]

seattle now officially with usarl. who will be next to pop up?

 

[clarency]

After SF's response to my Q it was virtually a given whos side they were on. Years ago when I first started being disappointed by Niu I watched the Axeman story and always thought... "if he could do that with one team I wonder how he'd go in Niu's job..."

But damn.... I never thought it would be going along this quickly. AMNRL will die quite simply simply because their teams (that don't have players that are personal friends of Niu) will switch allegiances. Now, just to fix the RLIF business...

 

[Evil Homer]

After SF's response to my Q it was virtually a given whos side they were on. Years ago when I first started being disappointed by Niu I watched the Axeman story and always thought... "if he could do that with one team I wonder how he'd go in Niu's job..."

But damn.... I never thought it would be going along this quickly. AMNRL will die quite simply simply because their teams (that don't have players that are personal friends of Niu) will switch allegiances. Now, just to fix the RLIF business...

Spinner isn't doing Niu's job. Peter Illfield is the elected chairman of the USARL. The fact that the chairman is elected means nobody is doing Niu's job of running the entire operation, that was the whole point of the split.