That's the dictionary definition of trolling GF, you've officially jumped the shark now. It's all about balance mate - some criticism in amongst positive support, that's what friends are for. Constant criticism? That's no friend. Be honest with yourself, and we've met back in the day so I don't say this lightly, your time in NZ has quite understandably coloured your view of League and you're now happy playing with the big boys with their shiny expensive train set. Good luck to you, but don't come around here pretending anything else - it's undignified and belittles you.

Back on topic. Touch is a version of League the same as 7's is a version of Union, the history is well documented and playing/watching it makes it obvious. The fact the RFU actually claims Touch as being invented as a Union training game - a deliberate lie - is hilarious, and it's right to call them out on it. It says much more about their culture than ours. This is a fantastic strategic move by the NRL, and in the long term to aspire to see Touch globally as an entry-level path for League (for participants, and as an aligned product) is an exciting goal for the sport. League is in no position to make that happen now, but we should aspire to it - the lack of long-term strategy is one of the two factors that has held 13's back (the other being the blatant persecution by another better-connected and resourced code, which continues to this day)

Fair enough......





The persecution card is played a tad too often methinx......RL has a problem with how to sell itself to potential players, sponsors, fans and investors. It is a great sport, but it is badly managed IMHO......regardless of any external pressures.

But GF, remember you are a

"You poor poor obsessed fat ex vichyballin potato thieving stowaway."




The NRL have negotiated to bring in touch footy to state how high Rugby League's participation levels are. It's a good selling point from the Welsh, former union playing, Falklands hero. Because Football has the highest participation levels in Australia. Not a good look for what they call soccer or even "ball" not long ago.

Thing is, everyone and anyone plays touch. Yes even people who play Union and not league are in teams playing together. Mates playing together, on social or more serious levels and leagues.

This is such a good strategy over here because the rates of kids' particiaption in RL has been dropping as parents are less likely to put their kids in to a dangerous environment. This has been a major concern for the ARL for a while. If you can get kids into touch first, where there is a lot less contact. The child may want to get more and more into the main game.

to be sure








Good point.....I play Touch in the summer here and there are hundreds of teams in our league alone.....blokes, boys, girls and women play it in their droves....the national touch footie comp is on TV over here.....it is seen as a neutral sport..not league, not Union but everyone knows where it came from.

As for the RFU.....it's not the fact they are telling porkies that should be bothering people, but how the RFL are letting them get away with it.

weak management maybe?

The only place AFL is in front is in attendances. With the News Ltd shackles now cast off the transformation of RL in Australia is underway. Already the ARLC has more than DOUBLED the income of the game and has laid out a strategic plan that will see the game prosper like never before. A new management structure and at long last decent staffing has the NRL with undreamed of resources to drive the game. Expansion at NRL level will be next and with the bringing of touch footy back into the RL fold the game has a participation rate never before seen. Record growth of tackle players in expansion states and the phenomina that is SOO of origin just keeps growing nationally every year. These are very exciting times for RL.

In Australia.

The great thing about the NRL finally waking from its ~20yr SL War slumber in Australia is that it's going to have a huge flow-on effect on NZ and the pacific nations.

Just looking at the totally unassisted-by-ARL growth in NZ, PNG and Fiji in particular in the last few years and knowing that the ARLC has said that growing the game in these regions is a priority gives me a real sense of excitement.

Yes and having the ex NZrl CEO in the arlc snr management team can only help with the ARL giving them more support.

Some of the stats from the 2012 RFL annual report on the Touch programme run by them
5000new regular players in 2012
13,350 people tried touch in 2012
120 sites ran touch games
21 Lucozade power sites set up playing 5 a side indoor or 6 a side outdoor touch

How many of all the touch footy players are Union players?

As I said, strategically it's good, because it's great for speed work and ball skills. All forms of footy play it. Now they can all fall under the umbrella of Rugby League. Including the people who play other sports etc etc.

As of now they are all RL players



Comment from WARL chairman
WARL Chairman Richard Campbell believes it will be big for Western Australia.
“Participation in our sport is very important and the partnership will give us better representation in developing facilities for the game. Local government support is critical in our ability to deliver for the community. It could not have come at a better time for the growth of the game in WA.