Quote: XBrettKennyX "I agree. I can't help but think that the places that *must* take off if RL is to grow are London and the SW of France.
On this I think the RFL are in the right areas. It now comes down to development.
A complete wild card would be the US. If the US took RL up with any gusto they would be world champions within 5 years.'"
I went on an international tour in 2011 to Jacksonville, Florida ad played in a Tri-Nations style tournament against the Jacksonville Axemen and Helensburgh Tigers (Aus).
The set up they have an these AMNRL clubs is incredible - 1500 seater stadia (which was full for all the games), cheerleaders (have to love them don't we?), full coaching set up with Dr's and physios, assistant coaches etc. it really does rival the Championship clubs over here.
The playing standard of the Axemen was brilliant, although we beat them by 30 points or so (we were on fire that day), we lost to the Aus team and the Axemen then beat the Aus team rather convincingly - meaning we won on points difference!
What I'm getting at is that RL in the USA is as BK implied - a sleeping giant. If any of you get chance to go to Jacksonville I would urge you to go and take a game in at University of North Florida (JA's home ground). I promise you you will be amazed at the quality on show.