USARL & AMNRL have REUNIFIED!!!

[deal.with.it]

For immediate release:
CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. (AUGUST 24, 2013) – The Valley Forge Casino Philadelphia Fight has helped negotiate a deal between the USARL and AMNRL organizations along with the USA Tomahawks and Canadian Wolverines to host the USA vs. Canada Colonial Cup test match immediately following the USA Rugby League National Championship Match on Saturday August 24th at A.A. Garthwaite Stadium in Conshohocken PA.

It is a landmark deal for both the USARL and AMNRL and will see members of both organizations working together for the first time in 3 years. The sides have been negotiating for some time and the Canadian Rugby League was also involved to help facilitate the event happening.

The USA Rugby League National Championship Match starts at 3pm, with the USA vs. Canada following it at 6pm. Admission to the event will be $8 for adults and children under 13 are free.

The VFC Fight will have a 30 Keg beer truck on hand full of $4 Victory Brewing Company Lager, Summer Love, Headwaters Pale Ale, and $3 Bud Light. We will also have a full grille with concessions that include hamburgers, hot dogs, Chick Fil-A Sandwiches and Nuggets, Chips, Soda, Powerade, and Water. Fight and USARL merchandise will be available along with an event T-Shirt. Credit cards will be accepted at the field for food, beer or merchandise.

During the earlier USARL Championship match popular local 93.3 WMMR Philadelphia Morning Radio Hosts Preston Elliott and Steve Morrison are going to be in attendance mingling with international and local rugby league enthusiasts and their fans. Preston will be on hand from 2-4 pm, and Steve will be there from 3-5pm.

A.A Garthwaite Stadium is the home of the USARL Valley Forge Casino Philadelphia Fight and is located at East 11th Avenue and Harry Streets in Conshohocken, PA 19428. There is plenty of parking surrounding the stadium in the local neighborhood and also at 13th and Hallowell streets next to the park.

We want to give special thanks to Mr. Ed Phipps – Parks and Grounds Director and the Borough of Conshohocken for their never ending support with not only these events but with everything the Fight do!

Bring the family out and don’t miss out on what is going to be an enormous afternoon of Rugby League in the USA!!

Keep up to date on both events by going to www.fightrugby.com

GO THE USARL, AMNRL, USA TOMAHAWKS, CANADIAN WOLVERINES and the VFC PHILLY FIGHT!!!

 

[Evil Homer]

I think you're jumping the gun a little with the headline, but great that they're finally working together in time for the World Cup.

 

[league13]

Been waiting a long time for something like this.Just hope they can carry on from here, for the betterment of both leagues and be fully democratic

 

[Bronco Rob]

Great to finally see some action on this front, had to happen for the good of the game in the US. This game now may receive the credit it should have rather than being played in front of a few player's mates and their missus.

I really think the game can move forward in the US under a united front. Let's hope it's not just a tease and an actual resolution can come from this.

 

[taipan]

Finally a little action on the getting together front.How the hell one can push a new code,when you have two competing organisations doing it simultaneously.
Commonsense dictates a combined approach is the only way to go.
Unfortunately in its history commonsense and rugby league at times are diametrically opposed.

 

[deluded pom?]

Progress at last. Hopefully by the time the Colonial Cup game three comes around all USA eligible players will be eligible for selection.

 

[Grizzel]

Has the US roster been released for the game on 24th?

 

[Fatwing15]

Wow, this is great news. Think this game will have better attendance than the last Tomahawks game in the Philly area? What are Larry's chances at making the Tomahawks now that he is eligible?;-)

 

[IowaRL]

Not good, ESP If Rhode Island beat the Axemen. I dont know how many would get chosen from the 2 grand final teams, but if it's the fight/Axemen, who would you choose from other squads?

 

[Foreign Legion]

Good news, hopefully they'll get there sh**t together now and isn't that the way the NFL got started with to waring factions uniting together?

 

[clarency]

Yea they aren't "reunified", but they are cooperating.

Maybe the AMNRL admin watching the grand final might motivate them to get together a bit more.

 

[Evil Homer]

http://www.rlwc2013.com/rugby-league-world-news/article/1063/amnrl-and-usarl-take-first

Further details here, including the first mention of the USARL in any of the World Cup build-up. Looks like Vassy has gone and will be replaced by Ben Kelly which may explain these developments, hopefully that's the end of the 'boys club' and Kelly will be a fair selector.

 

[amnrlfan]

Hope it works and hope it brings a great turn out to philly.

 

[amnrlfan]

Has the US roster been released for the game on 24th?

Anyone seen this yet?

 

[Bronco Rob]

http://www.rlwc2013.com/rugby-league-world-news/article/1063/amnrl-and-usarl-take-first

Further details here, including the first mention of the USARL in any of the World Cup build-up. Looks like Vassy has gone and will be replaced by Ben Kelly which may explain these developments, hopefully that's the end of the 'boys club' and Kelly will be a fair selector.

Exactly, from some of the comments on Twitter over the last couple of years from Vassy, it seemed like there was never going to be any sort of reconciliation with him at the helm.

I wonder who is bankrolling the game at the moment for the AMNRL, if there were sponsors surely they would be reasonably dirty at the fact that they are getting no brand awareness due to lack of coverage of the AMNRL or these Internationals.

If USARL players are in the mix, there's going to be a tough call to be made to either play in the final or for their country.

 

[deluded pom?]

“We need to get the best possible squad on the plane to England"

Ben Kelly hits the nail squarely on the head. Is Vass walking an indication that Niu has also fallen on his sword? Or will he be back for possibly his last day in the sun at the WC?

 

[Bronco Rob]

There are now 2 websites for the AMNRL. The old website is back up and some very interesting reading especially the front office section as follows:

Meet our team!
AMNRL Executive Board:
WILLIAM TATHAM, JR, ESQ
Chairman and Founder

NEAL H. PILSON
Board Member, Pilson Communications, Inc.
GARY MARENZI
Board Member, Marenzi & Associates
NIGEL MELVILLE
Board Member, USA Rugby CEO & President
JAN TALAMO
Board Member, Star Group
RICH ROSE
Chief Executive Officer
BRUCE SKINNER
Chief Operations Officer
TOM GEORGE
Chief Administrative Officer
JEFFREY B. ZIMMERMAN, Ph D.
Chief Technology Officer
President Grand Prix Sports Online Network
ROBIN ENDSLEY-FENN
Chief Marketing Officer
GINO GRAJEDA
Chief Liason Officer
JAMES BROWN
Chief Financial Officer
MICHAEL F. TATHAM, ESQ
Chief Legal Officer
AMNRL Director of Match Officials, Judiciary Committee, Liaison to ARL Referees:
Rob Irwin
Contact
AMNRL Operations Manager:
Phil Shipos
Contact
AMNRL Coaching Director:
Lee Addison
Contact
AMNRL Collegiate Development Manager:
Damian Flint
Contact

AMNRL International Representative:
Adam Nable
Contact
AMNRL Football Development Manager:
Steven Johnson
Contact

I honestly don't know where to start from William Tatham now being the chairman and apparently founder to having the CEO of USA Rugby on the board of a RL body to the director of coaching and the development manager both based in Australia.

Does anyone at all in the States know what's going on?

 

[gyallop]

Obviously delusional self promotion from a bloke who has led both AMNRL and USARL up the proverbial garden path.
Best thing union can do is boot him out and best thing league can is ignore him and he will go away.

 

[Evil Homer]

I recogize the name Phil Shipos, wasn't he involved with the Sharks?

 

[deluded pom?]

Nigel Melville is a former England RU internationl who is charged with taking union forward in the States. I suspect many more of the names on that list are union people too.