Quote Him="Him"I don't see it as short termist, more prioritisation. I just think there is that little prospect currently of developing sustainable interest in Scotland that we'd be better off simply taking the money from a higher attended game in England.'"
Is the difference in revenue likely to be that much? If we go off previous form, tickets will likely be £10/£5.
Quote Him="Him"There's no clubs for anyone to go and watch other than a tiny handful of amateur clubs.
I'm all for attempting to build the game in a nation but I think it has to be a concerted effort that includes developing proper amateur clubs and leagues, semi-pro clubs into League 1 and of course internationals.'"
Again, I'll go back to Union on this one. How many pro-clubs are/were in Scotland, Italy & Argentina? There's already a Scottish National RL side playing Internationals, who were good enough to beat France who have all the infrastructure you mentioned.
One option is to grow organically like you said, grassroots up, but regular International matches is a pretty good way of stoking up that interest and getting the word of RL out there. We talk about 'legacy' a lot in sport, and larger events if used correctly, can leave that 'legacy' on that sports grassroots.
Quote Him="Him"For years we've hoped that playing the odd international in a region will "spark" growth of the game. It just doesn't, you have to lay the groundwork which doesn't exist in Scotland. That being the case I'd focus our efforts on Wales and France where a bedrock of support and interest does exist and can be built upon.'"
That's the problem. It shouldn't be the 'odd International'. You & I have been amongst the most vocal on here about the need for a structure International calendar - it comes back to that argument. Scotland internationals in Galashiels or Workington do nothing for the game. Regular matches in Edinburgh might.
