None of the places it is played and loved in this country has any kind if cultural relevance whatsoever. Even within this region, never mind nationally or internationally. Expansion beyond this region helps.

Sydney does. Success in Australia, and many of the places within its sphere of influence.

T'ronto does too. Not in the same way, because North America is full of cities on that scale. But nationally within Canada it definitely does.

I am also happy with what I have. Even post relegation. I love the history, I love the culture but more than any of that I love the game. Reliance on us, because of who and where we are, will not save it.

thats fine.

But oddly it was more fans of the Fax's, Leigh's and Dewsbury's who were vehemently against a structure where those smaller clubs played each other and other clubs elsewhere were the place the newer clubs from bigger cities would join.

It was far more the fans of the Leigh's, Fax's and Dewsburys who demanded that a club like Toronto go through their leagues.

I did brace myself!

Absolutely. There are many models of sport expanding in the last 20 years. Catalans is highly successful. Transport is no longer a barrier. Bring on the expansion [ well managed ].

Adapt or die.

Yep. And what many people appear to forget is that we almost did die thanks to our backward, short-termist attitudes.
We're still recovering from that period in our sports history.
Sadly I still regularly see those same attitudes at all levels of RL.

or



?

Tough choice.

The pictures say it all.

If you want to start something good, don't waste time with old ideas. Go to new places, with different thinking/perspectives, start winning and attracting winners and then bring it home. Moving at the pace of the old Clubs / towns which have lost their meaning is a sure way to die.

What better for our boys to aspire to. Overseas games - new culture. Stuck in the mud - no way, Jose.

As a small positive, how great for opposing players to get to travel to Canada? If I were a part time player I'd jump at the chance.

But but but how will they get the time off work?!?! They have families dammit!!

Which is the reason we need to grow. We can no longer depend on part-time players but obtain the financial backing for 20+ full-time teams. Which is why I ask about the bigger settlements. Getting into Manchester or Birmingham is a catch-22 issue: we need the interest/support for a local team and the local successful team at the same time!
Some experiments I'd walk away from (e.g. mid-Lancashire/Chorley/etc.). Oxford and Coventry (and Gloucester as well) need nurturing.

Not wishing to be too pedantic but, there is already 1 major event in Manchester every year and magic weekend is on it's second year in Newcastle (both should be helpful in generating some local interest.
A lot of this is down to the quality of marketing and exposure that are given to the events and perhaps this is the area that needs to improve to give the sport a helping hand.

Not read all the posts but im not convinced rugby league, especially in the UK has the best people in charge when it comes to marketing or spreading the word or if they have anyone for this.

Rugby League could be huge in any country. Its the best sport in the world.
there should be a huge push to get it recognised in the US.

someone in the US owned a bar and watched rugby games and couldnt tell why she really enjoyed some games and hated others.
because like most americans, and some english dont know the difference between league and union.
once i explained, she agreed, even having played football that rugby league is the best sport.
USA is crying out for rugby league.

I also agree that expanding slowly from the current hotbed is important where rugby league is already prevalent but you only have to look at Catalan to see how expansion can work in this way.
London could get a better following if they where situated in the right place, and not in the middle of nowhere where noone can get to.
i think the change in format of playoffs has been a positive change for growth.

Also the rfl should be giving tickets away for every event that is televised to school children. College students, anyone that might be exposed and turned into fans, and to have every game to capacity.
mainly talking about magic weekends, and internationals that may not fill a stadium

Provided that the RFL actually promote the events in those cities.

I remember when the Magic Weekend was in Scotland and there was nothing around the city centre to even suggest there was anything happening.

We can't go into none RL areas and just assume people will know about it.