Do we really? I'd argue that rugby league is the second biggest sport in the region and a major part of the identity in this part of Lancashire. On BBC Radio Manchester we get one evening a week exclusively for rugby league, a couple of hours on Friday often shared with the one and only professional rugby union side in the region and the Sunday sports programme. During the soccer season the sport's coverage is chopped and changed to accomodate the 11-man code with little to no explanation or warning.

The bigger picture is that local radio provides an essential link and helps overcome isolation and loneliness. For many people, particularly the elderly and those in more isolated areas, their local BBC radio station is truly a lifeline and sometimes their only link to the rest of the community.

I don't think i'm on my own when all I want is the RFL to promote its strongest 12 or 14 clubs in its elite division.

i also won't support any of the RFL's showcase events like international games until it wakes up and starts to listen to its core fanbase.

When I read the OP I knew there was going to be at least one person that is either too selfish, thick, ignorant or lazy to research the history of the game properly and why the RFL have made the decisions they have, and use the thread as an opportunity to spout their self-righteous, ill-informed, non-sensical rubbish.

Cheers.

Second biggest, yes, but by a long, long distance. I know BBC radio shouldn't be about the popularity of sports etc but you could get a total of the attendances of all the Radio Manc RL clubs and it wouldn't match even just a couple of United and City games, not to mention Bolton, Wigan, Rochdale, Oldham, Stockport etc.

We're light years behind in terms of support in numbers but that's the beauty of local radio and just one of the many reasons why it can't be allowed to wither and die.

Which clubs are stronger than any of the 14 in SL for 2012?

All true fans of Rugby League will respond to the RFLs request. All those masquerading as Rugby League fans, but are not won't.

Leigh to run its own radio station,its been tried out too via leighlife.com

It's very much in it's infancy, hang on

One answer could be internet radio. One site, rfl affiliated and well advertised, every club broadcasting their games.

That is our hope that clubs will take notice of it and start schemes themselves and hopefully the RFL will take notice of well and assist other clubs in getting it up and running. A long way to go just yet though!

Come on lets support the RFL on this one. Rugby League needs all the positive media exposure it can get get so do your bit and keep Rugby League on our local radio stations. Also write to your local MP and ask for their support.

These BBC proposals have been around for months. I'm surprised it has taken the RFL so long to become active on it.
BBC Manc lost the ability to broadcast soccer and rugby when it ditched its medium waveband. BBC Merseyside still has mw, can and does go with commentaries on both sports. Whether the mw will continue we shall see.

Do please use the links provided to gain info and advise them of your thoughts. Also write to your local MP. If he/she are in a RL town then they will probably be on the case already.
I wrote to my MP months ago and she has sent me three updates to the present date. She contacted the Sec of State, Hunt, and his no2 Ed Vaizie (sp). Although I'm not living in a RL area she has been excellent.

Our friend Ray French address the All Party RL Parliamentary Committee and informed them in no uncertain terms what the BBC proposals would mean to local radio sport and Rugby League. Those MP's apparently had the head of BBC Radio Sport in front of them last week and absolutely toasted him. The Beeb are looking for around £5m of cuts from local radio out of a total budget of something like £2bn. They can find that amout elsewhere easily.
Please lobby the Beeb and write to your MP, it will make a difference.