jim
Marquee Player
Posts: 1,150
|
Post by jim on Jun 22, 2009 19:14:47 GMT 10
On the back of the Barcelona game I have been thinking about all the potential and IMO likely expansion of the club game in Europe, not just SL but Championship and Elite aswell. I thouroughly believe all of the following are realistic chances of happening by the next World Cup.
by 2013
- Toulouse in SL, Widnes in SL
- Welsh, Irish and Scottish clubs in Championship 1
- Barcelona, Lyon and Montpelliar to Elite 1
- Marsielle into Elite 2
- 2nd French team to Championship to replace Toulouse (preferably Paris)
- South West and Mid-lands club to Championship 1
If all of those things happened it 5 years time the International game and the game in Europe would be alot stronger no doubt. That would be very solid growth.
After that I won't go into too much detail but I would like to see the Scotish, Irish and Welsh clubs fighting their way through the Championships into a position to bid for SLby 2018, A Third French club in SL by 2015-18 maximum. I would also like to see Lokomotiv Moscow get pro-active and work on getting their best players overseas and prepare for a SL bid in 2015 or 2018.
|
|
|
|
Post by Kiwi fan on Jun 22, 2009 19:28:02 GMT 10
I was thinking about this also but I was thinking a bit further into the future. My thought was that foriegn teams could clog up the SL and stunt English development. So I think at some stage I would get rid of all non English teams. All the non english teams could them form their own European League. So at some stage in the future you could have:
European Super league
Toulouse
Catalans
Celtic
Paris
Barcelona
Dublin
Edinburgh
Moscow
Glasgow
+ one other
You could then call the English league the English National League or something. This way I think you could keep all the traditional teams in the English leagues and still spread the game around. It's a long way off but I really think it could be the best option in the future.
As for in 2012 I would like to see Toulouse and Widnes in the SL but I do not think there should be 14 teams in the SL now and I do not think there should be 16 teams there in 2012. For the moment I agree with teams like Barcelona into Elite and all the teams that you have said should be in the Championship.
|
|
jim
Marquee Player
Posts: 1,150
|
Post by jim on Jun 22, 2009 20:07:04 GMT 10
I was thinking about this also but I was thinking a bit further into the future. My thought was that foriegn teams could clog up the SL and stunt English development. So I think at some stage I would get rid of all non English teams. All the non english teams could them form their own European League. So at some stage in the future you could have: European Super league Toulouse Catalans Celtic Paris Barcelona Dublin Edinburgh Moscow Glasgow + one other You could then call the English league the English National League or something. This way I think you could keep all the traditional teams in the English leagues and still spread the game around. It's a long way off but I really think it could be the best option in the future. As for in 2012 I would like to see Toulouse and Widnes in the SL but I do not think there should be 14 teams in the SL now and I do not think there should be 16 teams there in 2012. For the moment I agree with teams like Barcelona into Elite and all the teams that you have said should be in the Championship. That is a very interesting idea and I would definatley be looking to something like that in the future. Although I have to admit I would still like to have a European competition. How's this for an idea, when we get enough non-english teams we split into and English and European league like you suggested. Hopwever instead of havign play-offs for each just give the 1st placed team after round games a league leaders trophy and have the top 4 in each play off for the European championship. Very much if not exactly like Soccer but I think it could be a good idea. I personally think Wakefield and Salford are in danger next time around because their stadiums don't seem to be progressing. I hope the RFL aren't afraid to cut clubs that aren't delivering. I also think they will go to 16 teams, not sure if it will be the right decision. |
|
|
|
Post by arh21980 on Jun 23, 2009 17:17:09 GMT 10
I was thinking about this also but I was thinking a bit further into the future. My thought was that foriegn teams could clog up the SL and stunt English development. So I think at some stage I would get rid of all non English teams. All the non english teams could them form their own European League. So at some stage in the future you could have: European Super league Toulouse Catalans Celtic Paris Barcelona Dublin Edinburgh Moscow Glasgow + one other You could then call the English league the English National League or something. This way I think you could keep all the traditional teams in the English leagues and still spread the game around. It's a long way off but I really think it could be the best option in the future. As for in 2012 I would like to see Toulouse and Widnes in the SL but I do not think there should be 14 teams in the SL now and I do not think there should be 16 teams there in 2012. For the moment I agree with teams like Barcelona into Elite and all the teams that you have said should be in the Championship. Love this idea but would take a billonare who's prepared to take lose for a couple of years to work |
|
|
|
Post by sportsmad on Jun 23, 2009 19:13:15 GMT 10
sorry guys, gotta disagree with u here; i think not having english teams involved until a playoff system will stunt the competetiveness of the non english teams. i agree that wakefield is in danger of being cut. i would love to see 3 french teams in SL as i would love to see 3 NZ teams in NRL eventually.
im all for decentralising the game (whilst not neglecting the heartland). i applaud the RFL on recent events which show theyre willing to take big gambles unlike the careerists that run the NRL. theyre coming under fire for the celtic crusaders gamble and i really hope they stick with it. in 5 years time there could be some great welsh players
|
|
|
|
Post by arh21980 on Jun 23, 2009 21:57:58 GMT 10
sorry guys, gotta disagree with u here; i think not having english teams involved until a playoff system will stunt the competetiveness of the non english teams. i agree that wakefield is in danger of being cut. i would love to see 3 french teams in SL as i would love to see 3 NZ teams in NRL eventually. im all for decentralising the game (whilst not neglecting the heartland). i applaud the RFL on recent events which show theyre willing to take big gambles unlike the careerists that run the NRL. theyre coming under fire for the celtic crusaders gamble and i really hope they stick with it. in 5 years time there could be some great welsh players I think the Crusader's will become alot like the Bronco's of the NRL as in very succesful as much as it pains me to say it(the broncos part). |
|
|
|
Post by Marv on Jun 24, 2009 1:24:58 GMT 10
sorry guys, gotta disagree with u here; i think not having english teams involved until a playoff system will stunt the competetiveness of the non english teams. i agree that wakefield is in danger of being cut. i would love to see 3 french teams in SL as i would love to see 3 NZ teams in NRL eventually. im all for decentralising the game (whilst not neglecting the heartland). i applaud the RFL on recent events which show theyre willing to take big gambles unlike the careerists that run the NRL. theyre coming under fire for the celtic crusaders gamble and i really hope they stick with it. in 5 years time there could be some great welsh players I think the Crusader's will become alot like the Bronco's of the NRL as in very succesful as much as it pains me to say it(the broncos part). I think they will, it will take time, but with John Dixon at the helme they definatley have the right man. |
|
|
|
Post by Marv on Jun 24, 2009 1:32:11 GMT 10
On the back of the Barcelona game I have been thinking about all the potential and IMO likely expansion of the club game in Europe, not just SL but Championship and Elite aswell. I thouroughly believe all of the following are realistic chances of happening by the next World Cup. by 2013- Toulouse in SL, Widnes in SL - Welsh, Irish and Scottish clubs in Championship 1 - Barcelona, Lyon and Montpelliar to Elite 1 - Marsielle into Elite 2 - 2nd French team to Championship to replace Toulouse (preferably Paris) - South West and Mid-lands club to Championship 1 If all of those things happened it 5 years time the International game and the game in Europe would be alot stronger no doubt. That would be very solid growth. After that I won't go into too much detail but I would like to see the Scotish, Irish and Welsh clubs fighting their way through the Championships into a position to bid for SLby 2018, A Third French club in SL by 2015-18 maximum. I would also like to see Lokomotiv Moscow get pro-active and work on getting their best players overseas and prepare for a SL bid in 2015 or 2018. I think you have to say Jim that Lyon have consistenty struggled in Elite 1, they have just dropped down to Elite 2. In theory I agree with most of what your saying mate but I feel we need to go steady, lots of these ideas are sound but they need to be implemented carefully. A Scottish side I agree with, as for Ireland I feel it could be more difficult to ask C1 teams to travel to Ireland, unless the RFL foot the bill, but would it be viable? We have heard rumours of a southwest England club but again would it be viable enough of a proposition or would this club occupy the lower echelons of the league with Skolars? Finally the Midlands is a bit non-descript, the midlands is a large area and I dont know if the people of Nottingham, Birmingham, Derby or Coventry would support a side grouped in with the whole of the area, or if those areas could support their own club. |
|
|
|
Post by arh21980 on Jun 27, 2009 16:47:37 GMT 10
Having a conversation about this on Rleague Grandstand and it was suggested a team from Newcastle. I added maybe something similar to the 'Quins arrangement. With the Falcons
|
|
|
|
Post by sportsmad on Jun 27, 2009 18:27:25 GMT 10
maybe three or 4 out of heartland clubs will do for now though. theres no doubt catalan dragons are a sucess. people are saying celtic crusaders are a failure (too early to tell IMO) and harlequins will require a lot of work to bring them up to the 10,000 average crowd mark. the RFL needs to be wary of expanding too fast. if i had my way id promote toloun as the next team whilst (afreeign with the above posts) demote wakefield or even castleford.
|
|
|
|
Post by muffdiver on Jun 28, 2009 6:20:49 GMT 10
If SL is to expand it will have to be with old established clubs. All the other suggestions - Edinburgh, Dublin, Lyon,etc - have no chance. They don't have the supporter base, they don't have an rl culture from which to build on & they have a hell of a lot of competition from other sports.
Let's face it Celtic crowds are pretty low & that is a part of the world that is knowlegeable about rugby - although I agree that this would change with a winning team.
|
|
|
|
Post by Druzik on Jun 28, 2009 6:41:57 GMT 10
If SL is to expand it will have to be with old established clubs. All the other suggestions - Edinburgh, Dublin, Lyon,etc - have no chance. They don't have the supporter base, they don't have an rl culture from which to build on & they have a hell of a lot of competition from other sports. Let's face it Celtic crowds are pretty low & that is a part of the world that is knowlegeable about rugby - although I agree that this would change with a winning team. ... actually... Lyon does. |
|
|
|
Post by ashulster on Aug 12, 2009 20:45:39 GMT 10
SL has a limited number of spaces, adding in so many expansion clubs while championship and even SL clubs struggle will seriously alienate the fans and clubs.
OF course we must expand thats how the game will survive and thrive.
The way i see it is the championship can be strengthened with a few midlands teams who would bring some more attention to the championship. e.g.
Nottingham Outlaws (who are doing very well in NC) along with a coventry or something.
Infact i think the more the merrier in the championship as there isnt really a limit, more games could help out struggling teams as well, maybe. Thats where Scottish, another Welsh and maybe an Irish club get their chance to join the championship (though Ireland are no where near that stage yet.)
So thats my Championship thoughts
The French Elite leagues should be a big focus of development, France needs to give its own league more profile and not just ship clubs off to play in the British game (even though that is the best thing for now) The French league needs more teams from all over the country maybe even Barca. They must be able to develop SL quality players through their own league.
There isn't room for everyone in SL but the beauty of RL is the endless possiblities when it comes to expansion and plenty of seeds are being planted around Europe.
|
|
|
|
Post by Druzik on Aug 12, 2009 21:54:31 GMT 10
Interesting Ash... I agree that we need to start seeing some midlands teams come in if we really want to be taken seriously as a sport. Even union has Nth england teams in their comps.
Championship does seem like the avenue to expoand the game these days.
|
|
