This year there was a round robin comp with 4 clubs in Southern Ontario(Toronto City Saints, York Region Reds, Scorborough Centurions & Niagara Bobcats - all linked their UK namesakes - I think Bobcats is linked to Keighly). They're hoping to add 2 teams (Ottawa & Montreal) for a proper league style competition next year. There has been talk about bringing League into some Toronto schools. Not sure where that is at the moment. Apparently they play touch rugby up to a certain age group before switching to Union anyway so it shouldn't be too much of a stretch to get them playing League instead.

There's work underway to set up a West Coast league but I don't know much about that right now. I haven't really heard anything about junior sides yet. The approach seems to be a top down one with focus on getting the National team and then the domestic comp as much publicity as possible to build up interest in the sport.

Good stuff. They seem to be making great strides to say they were only set up last year.

Very good idea setting up the links with clubs over here too, we may see an Alberta Airlie Birds pop up

Alberta Sharks

As an aside, I interviewed a family of 4 on Sunday who were at the game, all wearing their brand new Canada shirts with pride. It was their first ever game of rugby league and they were there because of the game that had been shown on national TV a few weekends earlier.

I also heard that the South Africans completely sold out of merchandise on Sunday. They now have nothing left to take to the WCQ.

Now thats brilliant news.

What kind of stuff were the Saffers selling spooky? Also, do you have any idea if the CRL have any intention of producing a DVD of this year's international highlights?

I didn't actually get the chance to look at their stuff but I think it was shirts & training tops. Not sure how much they actually brought with them, but there were quite a few local South Africans in the crowd. I guess they didn't really figure on that kind of demand at the Canada game.

I'll ask about the DVD. The CRL guys are on their way to Philly to cover the WCQs so I might not get an answer right away. But I should be meeting with them when they get back so I'll try to remember to raise it again then.

Thanks spooky.

Would love to get hold of a Saffers top. I have an early 90's Saffers top, but its getting a bit tight to wear, if you what mean

J

jeff's obviously an expansionist