This is the view of myself, rather than Rugby League Deutschland. I would rather people hear the truth about things, rather than hearing any rumours.

Sadly I have stepped away from being President and being involved with Rugby League Deutschland after setting it up in 2005. I am proud of what I have achieved, with the help of many people especially Max Schöengen, Dan Stocks and the former RLEF Head man Kevin Rudd. Many others also helped including a number on here and so I wish to thank them as well. From absolutely nothing in 2005, we are now on the verge of a small domestic league based around the Frankfurt/ Heidelberg area as well as a few 9s competitions in Germany. We have mainly a student based structure though there are no Universities etc that have a team themselves. Most of the players are Union guys-which I wanted to change but sadly its not happened. However a number also play Handball and other sports.

Sadly the way the RLEF payed Development Officer, Uwe Jansen has acted has cut short my involvement with RLD. He refused to recognize the board with myself as President and did not report to us at all in 2010. Certain things he claimed to have done to the RLEF, did not happen at all. He then went behind my back and telling certain people he should be President. Anyway I had hoped that the RLEF would help sort the problem out as it was not good for anybody. However myself and Danny Kazandjian from the RLEF have different viewpoints. There are other things but thats not for here.

Recently Danny Kazandjian and the RLEF wanted a German born President with a German name as "It has more Weight". Danny also said its an RLD problem rather than a RLEF one-again something I strongly disagree with. I disagree with this and I have lived 10 years in Germany. My father is German as was my Grandparents and Great Grandparents etc. I also spent on average around 10-15 hours voluntarily and spent probably a couple of thousand Euros of my own money to push the game in Germany. I feel that a President should be in Germany and be willing to go to any level to promote the game. Whether this Person is male or Female, German born or not I do not feel its that important.

He also disagreed with my way of doing a series of 9s in my area-Danny thinks 13 a side should be played. I also had hoped to be better supported by the RLEF in my development plans in Bavaria. Sadly I feel this was not there.I do not feel any respect from Uwe Jansen the RLEF Development Officer or Danny Kazandjian of the RLEF for the work I did. I feel very hurt and let down by the actions and words of both these people. Sadly things got quite heated between me and Danny and I basically said go and get stuffed. Maybe wrong for me to say that but I felt completely isolated and let down by him.

The others involved with Rugby League Deutschland, I feel should not have to contend with this problem between me, Uwe and Danny and so I have taken the decision to step away and just do my own thing independant of RLD. There will not be 2 Governing bodies however. Not an ideal situation, but for me I feel its the best for all concerned. I hope to run 3 9s Comps in Bavaria and possibly Austria in 2011 but it will be hard. I hope the people now still at RLD can just concentrate on what they have to do refarding development and not worry about stupid politics. For me developing the game is more important than playing silly power games etc. The new President is Max Schöngen who is a German guy studying at Oxford Brookes. Max is a top bloke abd I wish him all the best and if he needs a hand he knows I will just be there if need be. Maybe if things change I would go back to RLD. However at the moment its better if people just focus on what they have to do and not worry about this stupid Political rubbish.

Thanks

Simon Cooper

It is a shame when this happens, one thing I say though mate is don't lose your love for the game or your support for the game, I think its a credit to you the work already done there and know you have promoted the game here a lot since you became involved.

Thanks mate and know you have been one person who has helped us and its much appreciated. Its a shame the people who are supposed to help us develop the game are the one that treat us so badly. Anyway I will look to try and keep going in Bavaria and will look to keep you informed. I do not need help from the RLEF. Me being so stubborn will hopefully still see the game developing in Bavaria no matter what.

Keep involved in your own way, fella. It'll be you who has the last laugh. I know how hard you have worked in getting RLD to where it is now, and if you hadn't done would any one else? Keep the faith.