i Cant help thinking this thread is motivated by " If they didn't exist we would not be fighting for a license "

Do you not think that having a successful French team generates more money for the RFL to invest into junior rugby across the UK and Europe.

If you think somehow the Develpoment of junior talet is suffering by the inclution of the French/ Welsh the i suggest you go have a look at Cas Panthers , Lock Lane, Fryston, Townville, Smawthorne, Oulton and the rest and you will see what i mean !!

No, not motivated by our fight for a license.....just an observation.

In terms of the success, it depends on what factors we are using to judge the success?? If we look at atendances, I get the gut feel that their ticket prices are heavily subsidised out there. If we look at their attendances for their away games, they bring less than an NL2 team would through our turnstyles.

So, I genuinely ask the question....how do they generate money for the RFL to then invest in youth development across Europe and the UK? It would appear more that it is us...the fans....and the RFL investing in Catalan...not the other way round!!

Following on from this idea then I suppose going to Wembley for the CC Final and Murrayfield or the Millenium Stadium for the Magic weekend is also something we should stop?

The point I dont understand is how not going to Catalans for £200 is going to put money in any of the local amateur sides pockets? Becasue I havent gone to watch Cas away at Catalans, am I going to go and watch Sherburn Bears juniors and put £200 in the field collection? Or perhaps buy £200 worth of raffle tickets?

I suppose the final issue is the Catalans region of France, is a rugby league heartland, and one thats struggling, and would struggle signifcantly more without the Dragons. Are we supposed to consign French RL to the dustbin and allow it to wither and die. Thats realy going to help strengthen the international scene.

The same way as Quins and the crusaders(when in south wales not widnes sorry wrexham) by giving the league a wider appeal to sky views as has been previously noted most of sky viewers are from the south

Good point!

Here's a suggestion...the RFL should build a stadium in the North of England, to host such events, Internationals, regional finals etc etc.



True that is human nature! But if you've just blown a load of money on a trip to Catalan, then you're even less likely to throw a quid in the collection bucket for the juniors, and it's another excuse/reason to miss some other away game, to again save a few quid.



It's harsh...but yes I'd save a North of England team every single day of the week rather than a team in French Rugby League. Don't fool yourself and think that the French would do any different!!

In regards to the International scene, the fans have voted with their feet on the international scene.

Lets be clear, so that your point is relevant. You are talking about the sky viewers watching rugby league aren't you???? Not just the number of SKY viewers as a whole, which is obviously greater in the South due to the greater population of the south.

However, if they are not watching Rugby League on SKY, then how does it make a difference by Quins, Crusaders or Cataln playing?

I think we'd have to agree on having totally different ideas as far as these points go. Although I do agree its a shame we dont have our own Rugby League version of Twickenham in the north to generate cash from, I cant bring myself to agree with any of your other points.

Rugby League on tour, whereby a group of mates go on a trip to watch a game, somewhere out of the norm, be that France, Scotland, Wales or London. Having a good time, a few drinks and soaking up the drama of a RL occasion such as a cup final. Where the atmosphere is brilliant, with all the fans mingling together before, during and after the match, is one of the greatest treasures of our sport. If we were to simply host all these events at Elland Rd or Old Trafford, it would'nt be anywhere near the same, and in any case we still wouldnt get to keep any more money as the stadiums dont belong to the RFL.

I cant agree that by going away on a trip on the first weekend that I would be less inclined to put a couple of pounds in a field collection the week after for my local junior side, I suspect that some people will put their hand in their pocket and some people wont, regardless of where theyve been the weekend before.

Like it or not, the internationals generate much needed media coverage and money for the RFL, we need a strong French side to give us meaningfull matches that will spark public interest.

I think the differance between our opions boils down to looking at the big picture of proffesional RL as a whole, or purely focusing inwards with an 'I'm alright jack' attitude, that would ultimately lead to a smaller RL community.

Still its only a thought, and we're all entitled to our point of view, who's to say who's right or who's wrong.

Respected!

I've enjoyed a good few challenge cup wekends myself over the years, and like any good do!! It's what you make of it. I've had a great times at Grand Final nights, and a good atmosphere in Cardiff city centre. Must say, Murrayfield was disappointing!

Media coverage is much needed, but I'm not sure that the internationals generate it. We now have many media channels available to the the game, yet dwindling interest in the International stage. Not so sure how meaningful a game is against the French (England 60 - France 6 back in June), attendance 8,000 ish to me is not really tempting new spectators to the game. I suppose the number speak for themselves there.

Much of the models upon which the RFL are shaping our game are failing. Let's hope ours doesn't.

This entire thread confuses me. What's wrong with spending money watching your team away from home? Why would that money be better spent in a bar at a UK based RL club?

Each to their own, I've only been to Perpignan once, I had a great time and didn't see the money spent as a waste. The years I don't go, I spend the money I would have spent on a Perpignan trip on something else, usually paying an increasingly expensive food or fuel bill... I don't think anyone would spend their 'Perpignan money' on helping RL in some other way

I like the idea of a long weekend in Spain/France to watch the frenchies play my team. It sure beats a wet night on the temporary stands of Hull Kr (how temporary is temporary?). We enjoy the planning, the build up, the travelling and the crack with the locals, who are usually very sporting. The downside is obviously we have lost a heartlands club to make way for them and I thank the stars it's not us. Perpignan is expensive, but we put most of our money over the border into Spain. From there we travel over to France and watch what we spend because it aint cheap (5.60 euros for a pint of Amstel...ouch!!). Watching my team abroad makes me feel more travelled and international, it elevates the standing of our game and my team.

I still put money into the local teams and will go and pay to watch Batley, Featherstone, Dewsbury and others ususally because I have friends who are supporters and some of these places have good real ale pubs near the ground and are full of knowledgeable friendly rugby league folk who you can have good conversations with and get a wide perspective of comments and ideas.

What a stupid thread. Do you really think that people are going to invest the £200 from going to Catalan away games into their clubs' youth development? Or that people should not be allowed to spend money in other places other than the North of England? To be honest this just strikes me as some sort of BNP-esque nationalistic rant.

if I can dig it out I read an article on viewing figures that showed a large league following in the south, I'm sure the welsh team has added more from there and RL is now shown across Europe Due to the inclusion of the Dragons .




Don't think its BNP-esque but definitely Narrow Minded

Can I also just point out:

It's perfectly possible to have good rugby league conversations with knowledgeable local fans in Perpignan - it's a rugby league heartland with historic links to Cas (after our first Cup win in 34 we played them in the first ever cup winners' cup. Arthur Atkinson scored.)

I've been a Cas season ticket holder for a nber of years and never had the impression that our successful junior development is funded by bucket collections.

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