Rugby League World Cup - 2013

[Druzik]

www.therfl.co.uk/home/news_item_top.php?id=12820

Lewis seeks political support for World Cup bid

RFL Executive Chairman Richard Lewis has used a speech in London to ask for the support of politicians to help bring the next Rugby League World Cup to the UK.

The RFL are bidding to be the host federation of the next tournament which takes place in 2013.

The right to stage the World Cup will be granted by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF) and Richard Lewis believes strong support from regional agencies and central government is important to making a succcessful bid.

Speaking earlier this week at the All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group’s Annual Dinner which takes place in the House of Lords, Lewis called on MPs and Peers to give their backing to the RFL’s request for support.

Such support would entail the government creating a more tax advantageous position for sports governing bodies seeking to stage major events as well as providing event funding both regionally and centrally.

This type of backing is already provided by competing countries governments and the only event that currently benefits from such a position in the UK is the Olympics.

An initial draft bid to be hosts of Rugby League World 2013 has already been submitted to the RLIF and a completed formal bid will be re-submitted in the next six months.

Commenting Richard Lewis said, ““There have already been very good expressions of support from government and the regional development agencies but we now need a firm detailed commitment from them as part of our bid to stage the next Rugby League World Cup.

“In common with other sports and governing bodies in the UK we are in competition with other nations who are able to take advantage of these types of tax arrangements and funding to support the staging of world events. The organisers of the 2008 tournament benefited from this and we need to be in a similar position”.

He added, ““We expect to receive a report shortly which shows the benefits delivered by last year’s tournament to the Australian economy.

“We intend to use this data as well as previous studies carried out by Deloitte relating to the positive economic impact of Rugby League to demonstrate to central agencies and regional government that their support of what would an exciting sporting event, would deliver a wider dividend for the whole country”.

“We must present a strong case but we do need support to be successful”.

[Druzik]

Good signs, so England are going for it... I assume the Aussies will bid as well... anyone else?

[England 3 Lions]

Due to the recession, the RWC'11 might prevent the NZ Government from funding a NZ based RLWC in 2013. I suppose the RLIF ought to ask the federal governments from Japan, France and Fiji if they'd like to place a bid.

[Druzik]

Having games that involve france in France would be feasable, particularly if development over the next few years go the way Nicolas Larratt.

I think dont discount the NZ government chipping in if Aus bids for it, with the Kiwis bing WChps and the ABs Choking again , why not... I mean a RLWC is going to be better value for money isnt it? the 2011 RUWC already has made a $200 million loss before a ball is kicked, its why the IRB is demanding such exhorbatant sums of money just for bids in 2015 ans 2021.

I would not expect Japan to put in a bid... not yet. There just is no interest there and its expensive for Aussies and Europens to travel... but you never know... I may be wrong.

[England 3 Lions]

Jan 25, 2009 0:27:04 GMT 10 Druzik said:

Having games that involve france in France would be feasable, particularly if development over the next few years go the way Nicolas Larratt.

I think dont discount the NZ government chipping in if Aus bids for it, with the Kiwis bing WChps and the ABs Choking again , why not... I mean a RLWC is going to be better value for money isnt it? the 2011 RUWC already has made a $200 million loss before a ball is kicked, its why the IRB is demanding such exhorbatant sums of money just for bids in 2015 ans 2021.

I would not expect Japan to put in a bid... not yet. There just is no interest there and its expensive for Aussies and Europens to travel... but you never know... I may be wrong.

How come the RWC'11 is a financial disaster? If a rugby-mad country like New Zealand cannot host a RWC without losing $200 million then other countries might think twice about bidding for it.

The great thing about hosting it in Fiji is it would appeal to tourists.

[Druzik]

OK, so a slight retraction its a $30 million loss here.

But with the IRB asking about the hosts to put up over $200 million here.

So basically it will make the WC out of reach of many countries.

I dont think the PIs could hst it as they dont really have the money or stadium infrastructure. You would need to have at least 5-6 stadiums of 30k at least I suspect and they dont have them.

Depending on the financial state of the world economy how many europenas would make the trip, maybe aussies and NZers could do a trip like that, I have doen Aus-fiji return for $400, but POms and french its an expensive trip and most of the hotels and resorts are out of the main cities so there is the travel issue there as well... a country like Fiji its public transport infrastructure aint all that fantastic.

[Kiwi fan]

The NZRFU may lose 30 million but I think the whole tournament will be a financial sucess. If you add on the hotels, transport, cafes, restuarants, tourist attractions we are epxected to make a steady profit. It's also good international exposure.

The pacific islands will never be big enough to host either rugby world cup. Too many problems with military governments, infrastructure and weather (major floods last week). For a place like Japan it would be too greater risk to give them the league world cup. We took a risk with 16 teams in 2000 and that was a big fail. We shouldn't over do ourselves.

I think NZ should bid for the 2013 RLWC. The only problem with our bid would be that the NZRL is full of crooks and probably couldn't organise such an event. In NZ we either support rugby union or what ever sport is going well whether that be League, Soccer, Cricket, Rowing or Boxing. I think if the Warriors and Kiwis had a few good seasons before the event people would be really interested in a world cup in NZ exspecially if we were defending our title.

The thing about NZ is that we're strategically placed. It's only a jump across the ditch from Australia, we have plenty of Pacific Islanders plus we aren't far from there and British people support everything.
We're cheap too the exchange rate for Britain is .38 to the dollar and it's normally around .33. Many of our stadiums have also been upgraded for the 2011 WC which could be used in 2013.

I'll be annoyed if Australia ends up hosting it. One of the reasons a tournament in Australia is more profitable is simply because the British travel everywhere. So if Australia recieves a RLWC before England I'm going to be really, really annoyed.

[Druzik]

Yes cant argue with those points I guess


But its interesting your points on being annoyed Oz gets it again. Many are saying they should have it again.

[England 3 Lions]

Kiwi fan and druzik,

You've made some good points. At the very least, the next world cup should be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. If the PNG Government are able to build a proper stadium in time then some pool games should be hosted up there.

[Druzik]

Jan 25, 2009 23:12:29 GMT 10 England 3 Lions said:

Kiwi fan and druzik,

You've made some good points. At the very least, the next world cup should be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. If the PNG Government are able to build a proper stadium in time then some pool games should be hosted up there.

PNG will also need to get its hotels upto scratch and transport infrastructure and the price of flights will have to come down too.

[Kiwi fan]

Jan 25, 2009 23:12:29 GMT 10 England 3 Lions said:

Kiwi fan and druzik,

You've made some good points. At the very least, the next world cup should be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. If the PNG Government are able to build a proper stadium in time then some pool games should be hosted up there.

I would love to see proper games played in PNG but they have all the issues that Druzik pointed out and a lot of crime.

[Druzik]

Jan 26, 2009 6:12:46 GMT 10 Kiwi fan said:

Jan 25, 2009 23:12:29 GMT 10 England 3 Lions said:

Kiwi fan and druzik,

You've made some good points. At the very least, the next world cup should be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand. If the PNG Government are able to build a proper stadium in time then some pool games should be hosted up there.

I would love to see proper games played in PNG but they have all the issues that Druzik pointed out and a lot of crime.

There is other stuff as well, if you read some of Mal Meningas and GB teamss accounts of trips there, the corwds are frikin insane... mid game police had to shoot tear gas across the ground to subdue the crowds... and you get near riots on some SP cup games when a team wins! Let alone looses.

Violence against refrees is not unheard of, last season there was a game or two where they had to be abandoned due to this... people hamging from trees to see games... its crazy up there.

One of Marvs favourite 'Jokes' on here has always been that the WC would go broke if held in PNG just from the cost of having to buy Tear gas! Hes not too far off I, actually...

Another fear I have had up in PNG... is that if a new stadium is built, it will mean that prices will go up making many games out of the reach of most PNG fans... this could also create resentment, particularly if you have the 'rich OS fans' coming in and taking up th seats and shutting out the locals to see their heros... just my thoughts.

[Kiwi fan]

Jan 26, 2009 8:52:06 GMT 10 Druzik said:

Jan 26, 2009 6:12:46 GMT 10 Kiwi fan said:

I would love to see proper games played in PNG but they have all the issues that Druzik pointed out and a lot of crime.

There is other stuff as well, if you read some of Mal Meningas and GB teamss accounts of trips there, the corwds are frikin insane... mid game police had to shoot tear gas across the ground to subdue the crowds... and you get near riots on some SP cup games when a team wins! Let alone looses.

Violence against refrees is not unheard of, last season there was a game or two where they had to be abandoned due to this... people hamging from trees to see games... its crazy up there.

One of Marvs favourite 'Jokes' on here has always been that the WC would go broke if held in PNG just from the cost of having to buy Tear gas! Hes not too far off I, actually...

Another fear I have had up in PNG... is that if a new stadium is built, it will mean that prices will go up making many games out of the reach of most PNG fans... this could also create resentment, particularly if you have the 'rich OS fans' coming in and taking up th seats and shutting out the locals to see their heros... just my thoughts.

I have heard stories about spears being thrown at referees and opposing players. It seems to me like the government has basically lost all control of the country.

[England 3 Lions]

Interesting information about PNG. I suppose the only way a match could be held successfully in PNG is if the Queensland Government and/or Australian Federal Government organises everything.

[Druzik]

Jan 28, 2009 13:13:43 GMT 10 England 3 Lions said:

Interesting information about PNG. I suppose the only way a match could be held successfully in PNG is if the Queensland Government and/or Australian Federal Government organises everything.

That is a whole nother issue... why should those govts spend already tight money on a country and organisation that they probably wont get anything out?

Good will and all that is one things... but at the moment everyone is looking to preserve or make money to survive.