What's the deal with France?

[deal.with.it]

The Dragons are entering the RFL U19s comp next year. This basically puts another 20+ guys in full time training.
We also have several French players being picked up by clubs like Hull KR, London, Bradford etc. This will help increase the number of French players in Full time set-ups, as these foreign based players free up local spots for local players.

Yes French schoolboys teams have been very strong against Australia. Problem was the Aussie players would then be picked up by SG Ball and U20s clubs, putting them in full time training virtually. The same was not for French players.

We should soon see, maybe by 2016, closer to 50+ French players in full-time set ups (including U19s). More and more English teams (and aussie) are also targeting French players more now than ever (arguably), as they can be a cheap alternative for the poorer clubs.

The FFRXIII are barely a professionally run organisation. But with limited funds, you can't expect much more. When they put on an international match, the crowds turn up (more so than any other nation outside the big 3). The Elite competition is still running. The Dragons are improving.

They just need to keep steadily improving until TV cash is thrown their way for the Elite 1 comp, which would turn it into a full-time competition. Al Jazeera's beIN Sport channel needs to stump up some cash. They already have SL, NRL, Origin, and a heap of union. Hopefully Zalduendo's recent trip with Hollande will help this become a reality.

 

[Evil Homer]

I rate France's local comp over NZ. They too only have Warriors then a huge drop down yet are a clear 2nd in the world. Granted they do have a few Australian born players but regardless. The key players are NZ born hopefully the rise in International footy we are seeing. Gets these players to stay in RL and improving.

What difference does domestic comp strength make? How many players for the national team come from NZ's local comp? The point is that NZ has an absolutely massive pool of eligible players at Australian NRL clubs. France last year had about two or three eligible players playing outside France.

The Dragons are entering the RFL U19s comp next year. This basically puts another 20+ guys in full time training.

I'm hearing that this isn't happening now because English clubs didn't want to pay for the travel. Which is a f**king joke, but these are the same idiots who voted to scrap their own U20s teams to save money and in doing so left probably 100+ contracted young players with no team to play in. English RL really is stuck in the 1970s, if you ask me they should be forced to pay or have their central funding slashed. Apparently the Dragons U19s will still be looking to arrange friendly matches against SL opposition where possible but that isn't much different from what they've been doing for the last few years.

 

[franklin2323]

What difference does domestic comp strength make? How many players for the national team come from NZ's local comp? The point is that NZ has an absolutely massive pool of eligible players at Australian NRL clubs. France last year had about two or three eligible players playing outside France.

Not all came across at a young age a few played over there as teenagers before getting signed. Matagi and Feki I know played A grade over there.

It's things like junior carnivals, Junior tests that gets the players contracts. Is the finances over there for stuff like that? A strong France brings in money etc to the game

 

[siv]

So what's the issue with the administration?

 

[langpark]

I'm posting this map, just in case some of you are under any false impressions about French Rugby League. Some (not all of you) seem to think it is bigger than it actually is.

Most teams are from very small towns. Toulouse, ok they are doing well, I really hope they can get (and consolidate) a spot in Super League, they've been talking about it for a decade and nothing has happened, it's a real shame. And sadly, the other big cities, Lyon and Montpellier are both struggle in the second tier. I'm not saying it's in a terrible state (French RL), just not as big as some people and perhaps the OP may think.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

That map is certainly not as big as I hoped it would be.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

So what's the issue with the administration?

Same with any rugby league administration.

 

[langpark]

That map is certainly not as big as I hoped it would be.

I'm having some troubles with it, it only allows me to post the original (huge) one, or the tiny one....

Try this, can you click to enlarge??

 

[Evil Homer]

Not all came across at a young age a few played over there as teenagers before getting signed. Matagi and Feki I know played A grade over there.

It's things like junior carnivals, Junior tests that gets the players contracts. Is the finances over there for stuff like that? A strong France brings in money etc to the game

There are junior tests every year, France often beat England but the players usually don't get signed because it's just such a big undertaking to take a young kid to a completely foreign country where he'd probably be isolated culturally, unable to speak the language, have to find accommodation etc. It would take a massive amount of dedication from both parties to make it work.

 

[hutch]

So the only two options really for France to improve are a fully professional comp in francs with at least 8 teams including Catalans, or 2-3 teams in super league? Both reasonably possible but unlikely anytime soon.
They need someone to throw some money at the sport over there.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

I'll wire you the FFR13 account details. How much do you have to throw an extremely speculative venture with little to no return on offer for a least a decade?

 

[hutch]

I'll wire you the FFR13 account details. How much do you have to throw an extremely speculative venture with little to no return on offer for a least a decade?

How far will $200 get me?

I know it's pure fantasy, but it would be great if someone had enough money to throw away that they threw it away on developing rugby league!

 

[The Partisan]

Would the RFL / RLEF / RLIF consider the establishment of some kind of 'Rugby League Cultural Immersion and Assistance' group to help with the integration of (mostly) young foreign players into the game in England / Britain.

Its charter could include such issues:

• dealing with cultural shock
• providing options or incentives for learning / increasing English language profiency ( though not sure if North of England is best location for this ;-))
• educating players on the history of the game in England and elsewhere including the newer developing countries
• Identifying and evaluating possible ' foster' families for the players to be billetted with for a short term upon arrival in the country
• Providing access to interpreters ( especially those with a RL knowledge or possibly even a counselling background - both a bonus !)

Probably loads more that could be done !

 

[jim_57]

It would be good if in 5-10 years we saw Toulouse & Catalan in SL underpinned by some strong semi-pro/pro clubs in either Championship or Elite. Add to that the growing trend of more French players at English & NRL clubs and you should see a much bigger professional player base.

France should be hosting an annual test Vs England and trying to make it a must see event. Aim for a 20k+crowd with traveling English support. Maybe even lock it to one venue to build tradition like Toulouse's football stadium. Other home games can be spread around to other towns & cities in France.

 

[Evil Homer]

Would the RFL / RLEF / RLIF consider the establishment of some kind of 'Rugby League Cultural Immersion and Assistance' group to help with the integration of (mostly) young foreign players into the game in England / Britain.

Its charter could include such issues:

• dealing with cultural shock
• providing options or incentives for learning / increasing English language profiency ( though not sure if North of England is best location for this ;-))
• educating players on the history of the game in England and elsewhere including the newer developing countries
• Identifying and evaluating possible ' foster' families for the players to be billetted with for a short term upon arrival in the country
• Providing access to interpreters ( especially those with a RL knowledge or possibly even a counselling background - both a bonus !)

Probably loads more that could be done !

Again, the cost and effort required for something like this would just not be worth it compared to signing local junior players of similar ability who represent much less of a risk and financial outlay.

 

[The Partisan]

Could you not ease into such a group ? Slowly building it up over years - learning and adjusting as you advance further into the 'program' ?

Feedback from players, coaches and other relevant stakeholders would be regularly sought and actioned ( as required).

Be interested to hear what the current crop of young French players in England ( and the odd one in Oz) would have to say if available to speak freely.

As time went by if could be turning out quality juniors from various locations across Europe.

As they say - the longest journey commences with one step !

 

[siv]

French TV love to show the French national team

They should be able to build upon that

 

[Bronco Rob]

One of the biggest problems which has been mentioned is the fact that RL is only really played in 2 reasonable sized cities while the other major areas are small towns or villages. Although these areas have very diehard fans who hate the 15 man code.

One of my mates coached the Australian Schoolboys and the AIS teams which toured France and he was amazed at the quality of the juniors in France but unfortunately they either lose them to Union or just lose interest from the lack of opportunities. They recently had a gun five-eighth from Villeneuve but was lured to the cashed up RU.

 

[miguel de cervantes]

Those that do chose league over union are often there by family allegiances. There is also a cruel lack of volunteer administrators and the current ones are often those that have stuck around since the 70s and 80s and aren't to in touch with the modern technologies. Sadly, the whole setup is running on limited time.