Juse think in 10 to 20 yrs time we might be talking about Toronto in the same Breath has Paris another failure or in the same Breath has Catalan

Quote Someday="Someday"Juse think in 10 to 20 yrs time we might be talking about Toronto in the same Breath has Paris another failure or in the same Breath has Catalan'" Yep the future is uncertain, the difference for new entry teams is that if it does not work in the top flight they have a harder time sustaining at a lower league. Plenty of traditional rl clubs have also failed either on the field or financially. So it's not limited to new entrants. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of ... ague_clubs

Quote Someday="Someday"Juse think in 10 to 20 yrs time we might be talking about Toronto in the same Breath has Paris another failure or in the same Breath has Catalan'" Yep the future is uncertain, the difference for new entry teams is that if it does not work in the top flight they have a harder time sustaining at a lower league. Plenty of traditional rl clubs have also failed either on the field or financially. So it's not limited to new entrants. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of ... ague_clubs

Quote bewareshadows="bewareshadows"Yep the future is uncertain, the difference for new entry teams is that if it does not work in the top flight they have a harder time sustaining at a lower league. Plenty of traditional rl clubs have also failed either on the field or financially. So it's not limited to new entrants. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of ... ague_clubs'" It would have been great if all those clubs had survived we might have been bigger then football we will never know

Quote bewareshadows="bewareshadows"Yep the future is uncertain, the difference for new entry teams is that if it does not work in the top flight they have a harder time sustaining at a lower league. Plenty of traditional rl clubs have also failed either on the field or financially. So it's not limited to new entrants. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of ... ague_clubs'" It would have been great if all those clubs had survived we might have been bigger then football we will never know

Is it possible for Toronto lovers not to type the words TV DEAL ? How about typing the words 'Grass Roots Rugby/Canadian Juniors & Academy set up' instead....whoops !

Question - is that how North American sport operates though ? Isn't it all underpinned by franchising and TV deals, rather the frankly outdated UK model that grassroots and self development are key.

If the latter really works then why is the UK game still in such a precarious state ?

Would half an academy team be enough? You know like the hull clubs.

I've no idea if Toronto will make it or go the same way as the crusaders. But RL in England is moving in ever decreasing circles at present. Turning away the chance to grow the game on the basis that in two years they haven't a team full of Canadians is complete cobblers.

1. Is 3 years years enough to implement an Academy set up or talent pathway for local talent? Has there even been a discussion in those 3 years towards plans to implement such a set up?

2. Will Toronto have to run a reserve set up as every other SL club has to from next season?

3. Do you know how many Fev academy products are playing there trade in Super League?

Yeah franchising and TV deals are the end product but to produce the vast amount of players they need for they're major sports they have a monster size school sports system from High school to University, producing all the talent for the NFL, NBA etc. Ateotd you still have to get kids playing and invested in RL long term, whether that's at school or through Community Clubs to have any long term success. How does that fit in the North American system I don't know and I haven't heard anyone talk about it either.

The Aussies use a similar system to us and they're very successful, the difference is RL over there is the main sport.

The main reason that RL is in such a poor state is that, since Union came out of the closet and became a pro sport, we have not been able to plunder their talent at will and their version of Rugby, with a far better national and international spread, dwarfs RL in just about every aspect of the game and it receives mass coverage from most media outlets and RL has been shoved down the pecking order.

"Grassroots" is a different problem altogether and with the "playstation generation" more happy in front of a screen, than they are in the real world, participation numbers are falling, although this is not by any means exclusive to RL.

These issues, together with the sports abject inability to promote the sport effectively mean that our sport has become even more marginalised.
Although I have issues with Toronto's inclusion, they may well help with our profile but, this still doesn't make them a sensible addition to SL or to the competition over here, which, for me, is just plain bonkers. Around 3500 miles in each direction for a weekly round of SL is just crazy.
Perpignan is far enough and that's roughly 1000 miles (each way).

There are now 4 amateur clubs in Toronto. This is the same number as you will find in Leigh and Warrington.
However, Toronto have only been in existence for 3 years not 100.

If we are going to have a “grass roots” discussion is should be aimed at the heart lands where the game is on its arris at grass roots but then that wouldn’t fit the narrative would it

Yes Leigh has 2 amateur clubs, but I don't think there could be 3, as there aren't any more playing fields in the town, unless a school one was used.
p.s. Wikipedia might be wrong about 4 in Ontario, it could be more or less....the wonders of Google, eh Steph


Did you know Serbia has 17 teams, well you do now !

Really??

You think 3 years in existence is enough to set all that up?

Do you have any idea what it takes to run an academy?

You always set up the main team first as that is what will provide the funding and infrastructure for the rest..


Of course TV money is also important, I don't see football or rugby union scoffing at better TV exposure and funding.