Worldwide Rugby League Proposal

WORLDWIDE AFFILIATED RUGBY LEAGUE PROPOSAL [email protected] 1

Worldwide Affiliated Rugby LeagueProposal Lets work together, for the good of the game‘the greatest game of all’

Version 3 - February 2014

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Introduction

This proposal is aimed at strengthening the game of rugby league through coordination across the existing professional bodies across the world.

The proposal, while it may seem far reaching and optimistic, is instead based on pragmatism, and on a realization that rugby league can only foster if it works together in one direction.

In countries such as Italy and the USA their are 2 rival professional leagues. In places like Russia, the government has withdrawn support for rugby league due to the Rugby 7’s being included in the Olympics. In places such as South Africa, rugby league is not formally recognized as a unique sport and instead in seen as a fraction of Rugby Union. In the UK, clubs are currently looking at reduced teams and bringing back relegation.

Meanwhile, the game is expanded across the globe and is gaining support is new and exciting areas. This proposal aims at providing a clear strategic vision for the game across the world, which will allow for a network of support for every club, by formally linking them with affiliated clubs in other conferences.

Through this proposal, NRL clubs would be formally linked with an affiliated club in the Super League, in the American league and the European League. This affiliation is designed to encourage investment across the confederations, sharing skills, knowledge, sponsorship and talent. This also allows for club support to be shared across the world, so a child in Russia will support a club in Sydney, due to this affiliation, opening up fantastic opportunities for marketing and sponsorship growth.

For further information please contact:

Aidan [email protected]

WORLDWIDE AFFILIATED RUGBY LEAGUE PROPOSAL [email protected]

United Organisational Structure (pg 4)

1. Establish 4 confederations covering all countries

2. Centrally manage strategy, marketing, rules, scheduling and finances through the IRLF

3. Establish a united strategic structure and vision for world rugby league

4. Work together, unite any rebel competitions and support growth areas

Worldwide Professional Game (pg 6)

5. Ensure Rugby League is the most professional and highest paid rugby code

6. Provide fast pathways to well paid professionalism for all countries

4 ‘Top Flight’ Professional Club Competitions (pg 8)

7. 4 professional club competitions based in strongest countries in each confederation

8. Equal clubs in each competition

9. Resolve overcrowded markets by establishing ‘region’ rather than ‘town’ based support

10. Each club has an exclusive region or ‘nursery’ to develop players and supporters

11. Each club to be based in an exclusive urban area of 200k minimum in population

12. Each club to be based in an exclusive regional nursery of 500k minimum in population

Support through Club Affiliation (pg 12)

13. Each club is affiliated with another club in each competition

14. Create stronger links between the NRL and Super League (and other competitions)

15. Affiliated clubs across each league to share players, resources, coaches and supporters

Vibrant & Relevant International Game (pg 14)

16. Regular international windows to provide a consistent international scene

17. Organized international calendar with all nations playing regular competitive games

18. Plan for a more competitive international scene with home grown talent

Worldwide Affiliated Rugby LeagueProposal Summary

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UNITED ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE

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0304

1. Establish 4 confederations covering all countries Create 4 confederations which are evenly spread over four teirs: Teir 1: Oceania Teir 2: Gaelic Teir 3: Pacific Teir 4: EAA Confederation club competitions and national growth is managed centrally by the governing body of the club competition (such as the NRL or ESL)

2. Centrally manage strategy, marketing, rules, scheduling and finances through the IRLF IRFL to manage the overall strategy across the confederations, while the confederations manage the running of the game within their region. Importantly, all rules are consistent. Sponsorship, TV & digital rights can be sold for a better price due to the larger product and larger audience.

3. Establish a united strategic structure and vision for world rugby league Be ambitious, optimistic and strategic. Set up the tools to achieve the vision. Then follow the plan to see it through.

4. Work together, unite any rebel competitions and support growth areas Rugby league is very good at bringing itself down, in-fighting and self-doubting. This needs to stop. We need to unite and work towards common goals. Their area growing regions which are growing through determination but have little support by the wider rugby league community, this needs to be addressed.


01 02 03 04Oceania Gaelic Pacific EAAAustralia/Pacific Isalnds

West Europe / Scandinavia

Americas/ East Asia

Europe/Asia/ Africa

# 7/13 8/11 3/18 11/33

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Australia (1) England (3)New Zealand (2) France (4)PNG (6) Wales (5)Fiji (7) Ireland (9)Samoa (8)

10- Tonga (10) Scotland (11) USA (12) Italy (13) Serbia (15)

Cook Islands (18) Norway (19) Canada (16) Russia (14) Lebanon (17)

20-2

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Denmark (26) Jamaica (21) Belguim (18) South Africa (24)Sweden (29) Germany (20) Netherlands (25)

Malta (22) Czech Republic (27)Ukraine (23)

unra

nked

Indonesia Hungary MoroccoJapan India PakistanPhilippines Saudi ArabiaSingapore

obse

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Niue Catalonia American Somoa Austria PalestineSoloman Islands Portugal Argentina Bosnia &

HerzegovinaSierra Leone

Tokelau Spain Brazil Estonia UAEVanuatu Malaysia Latvia KenyaNorfolk Island Thailand Moldova NigeriaTuvalu Trinidad & Tobago Poland Qatar

Chile Georgia ZimbabweColombia Ghana GreeceMexico KazakhstanPanamaVenezuela

# No. in top 29 / No. of countries

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5. Ensure Rugby League is the most professional and highest paid rugby code

Rugby League started as the professional version of Rugby Union. Since Rugby Union

has become professional, it has outspent Rugby League in the running of the game,

marketing and player payments. Rugby League needs to significantly improve the

professionalism across the board, across both the international governance and club

competitions.

The biggest lesson which needs to be learnt is there is limited resources to play with

and so we all need to unite where possible to make the most for the supporters,

players and sponsors.

The Super League are currently reviewing the structure of the competition with an

option to bring back in relegation/promotion. This limits the supporter base to the

small cities in an overcrowded market. Instead, we need to make competition

clubs more broader, representing their regions or counties, to appeal to the a wider

supporter base.

The players are the best product in Rugby League, they should be the highest paid

rugby players in any code. Rugby League should be sold as the ‘top end’ version

of rugby, as being the faster, tougher, modern, more professional version.

6. Provide fast pathways to well paid professionalism for all countries

Rugby League has its roots as a ‘working class’ game, with its strength in grassroots,

community based involvement. A real strength in growing the game worldwide, is

appealing to the working classes across the globe and providing short pathways

to being paid well when compared to other more normal professions.

WORLDWIDE PROFESSIONAL GAME


PROPOSED SALARY CAP & PLAYER PAYMENTS

Each affiliation has 4 professional teams across the 4 confederations, with 80 fully

professional players, plus the various semi-professional players in the various domestic

leagues that sit under each top tier competition.

TEIR ONE - NRL

- 20 players - $5,150,000 salary cap

- 2 marquee players per club (unlimited payment)

- Minimum $200,000 per player

- Average $257,500 each

TEIR TWO - ESL

- 20 players - $3,400,000 salary cap

- 2 marquee players per club (unlimited payment)



TEIR THREE - AMNRL

- 20 players - $2,200,000



TEIR FOUR - ERL

- 20 players - $1,500,000



Domestic Professional/Amateur League

- Maximum $40,000 per player

All salaries are in $AU Australian Dollars Reference: http://www.nrl.com/nrlhq/referencecentre/salarycap/tabid/10434/default.aspxhttp://www.superleague.co.uk/about_sl/competition_structure

Players 1-20

Players 21-40

Players 41-60

Players 61-80

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7. 4 professional club competitions based in strongest countries in each confederation

The professional club competitions are based in the strongest countries in each

confederation, trying to spread teams across the region where strategically appropriate.

The development of the game within each confederation is centrally managed by

the administration of the club competition, for example; the NRL would manage the

development of the game in countries such as Tonga, with KPI’s set by the RLIF.

TEIR ONE - NRL (Oceania Confederation)

- 20x Australia, 2x New Zealand, 1 x PNG, 1x Pacific Islands

TEIR TWO - ESL (Gaelic Confederation)

- 17x England, 4x France, 1x Scotland, 1x Wales, 1x Ireland

TEIR THREE - AMNRL (Pacific Confederation)

- 20x USA, 3x Canada, 1x Jamaica

TEIR FOUR - ERL (EAA Confederation)

- 7x Italy, 6x Russia, 2x Ukraine, 2x Germany, 1x Serbia, 1x Netherlands, 1x Czech Republic,

1x Morocco, 1x Lebanon, 1x Ghana, 1x South Africa

FOUR PROFESSIONAL CLUB COMPETITIONS


8. Equal clubs in each competition

Each competion needs to have the same amount of clubs. I would suggest that 20 clubs is

sufficient, however the recent RFL structure has 24 clubs over 2 divisions.

By creating a 24 team competition, a 23 game season can be establish, meaning each team

will play all other teams once. There would be 11 home games and 11 away games, with a

‘magic weekend’ round being played at a central venue. The home games will alternate each

year. At least 2 home games a year should be played within the regional nursery venue.

Competitions can be structured as one 24 team competition or divided into confereces or

divsions depending on the need of that local compettion.

9. Resolve overcrowded markets by establishing ‘region’ rather than ‘town’ based support

A region based model for professional teams allows for growth in supporter base. The

crowded markets such as West Yorkshire have teams such as Castleford, a town of 40,000

competing for supporters against the adjacent town of Wakefield. Instead a regional

approach should adopted where the region is represented, not towns or suburbs which are

limited in supporter growth.

10. Each club has an exclusive region or ‘nursery’ to develop players and supporters

The ‘nursery’ regions for each club will be exclusive to that club, with players being directly

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drafted to their local club. The professional clubs will develop the talent of their locals

through support of the amateur teams and competitions.

Clubs are to be set targets on:

• have a minimum of 10 players from the region in the professional team or another

affiliated professional team

• average home crowd attendance (suggest 15,000 minimum)

• amateur rugby league player numbers within their region (suggest 5,000)

• touch player numbers within their region (suggest 10,000)

• tag player numbers within their region (suggest 2,500)

• establishment of a wheelchair rugby league representative team

11. Each club to be based in an exclusive urban area of 200k minimum in population

To ensure that their is a sustainable professional model that can achieve a stable crowd

attendance, it is recommended that clubs should only be based in urban areas of 200,000

or more. Where possible the club, should ideally represent a area of maximum 3,000,000

people, as if the area become larger that team can get ‘lost’ and find it hard to gain traction.

An example of this, is the London Broncos, which is based in a city of 8,000,000 but with an

average crowd of only 2,808. It is suggested that this team is based in a more specific area

of London, such as the North London Broncos, which has a population of 1,042,000.

12. Each club to be based in an exclusive regional nursery of 500k minimum in population

To ensure that each club develops enough talent to sustain itself, it should have an exclusive

nursery of at least 500,000 people. The region population will include the urban core.

The region should be ideally based on the club location, however can include separate

areas depending on each circumstance. The region populations will be bigger for the non-

heartland teams, with every part of the globe being designated within a region and a

professional club.

FOUR PROFESSIONAL CLUB COMPETITIONS (continued...)


EXAMPLE

Each affiliation has 4 professional teams across the 4 confederations, with 100 fully

professional players, plus the various semi-professional players in the various domestic

leagues that sit under each top tier competition.

TIER ONE - NRL

Melbourne Storm

Urban Core: Melbourne (4,000,000)

www.melbournestorm.com.au

TIER TWO - ESL

Midlands Storm (new expansion team)

Urban Core: Leicester (770,000)

www.leicesterstorm.co.uk

TIER THREE - AMNRL

Jamaica Storm

Urban Core: Kingston (937,700)

https://www.facebook.com/HurricanesRL

TIER FOUR- ERL

Moscow Storm

Urban Core: Moscow (11,500,000 shared with 4 teams)

http://forums.rugbyleagueplanet.com/topic/4962854/1/

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SUPPORT THROUGH CLUB AFFILIATION13. Each club is affiliated with another club in each competition

This affiliation between clubs across the 4 competitions is KEY in developing rugby league

outside NSW, Queensland, Yorkshire and Lancashire.

The affiliation of the clubs allows for a unity across the confederations to develop. The

strongest team can nature and support the more developing teams, through coaches,

administration support, players.

The affiliation allows allows for immediate ‘buy-in’ from supporters of other areas, as they

will be able to support their affiliated team. Ask any NRL supporter who is their Super

League club and not many would have a team.

The affiliation of the clubs, should be based on:

• linking strong teams with less strong teams

• aligning teams with similar team nicknames (i.e London Broncos and Brisbane Broncos)

• existing cultural connections or history

• existing affiliations (i.e Warrington Wolves support in Germany)

A good example would be Wigan Warriors and NZ Warriors, who share that same

nicknames, and now due to the Sam Tomkins signing have a strong connection for

supporters.

14. Create stronger links between the NRL and Super League (and other competitions)

Through the club affiliation, a main benefit will be a stronger connection between the NRL

and Super League, which will allow for greater market growth of both leagues. The easier

transfer of players across the two competitions (between affiliated teams) will ensure that

both competitions have the best players possible, and help to retain talent.


15. Affiliated clubs across each league to share players, resources, coaches and supporters

The key approach to the affiliated clubs, is that instead of NRL clubs having their reserve

grade talent playing in the second tier competitions, in the saturated Australian market,

the talent is spread across the confederations to play in the top competitions in Europe,

America or the Mediterranean.

It is proposed that each professional club must have a minimum of 10 players from their

region or from an affiliated team. Players can be transferred between affiliated clubs at no

cost, however for a player to leave for a non affiliated team, a transfer fee will need to be

paid.

It is suggested that, for any player to play in the NRL or Super League, they must firstly serve

an ‘apprenticeship’ where they must play at least one year in the lower tier competition.

This apprenticeship, will ensure that the talent is fairly spread across the confedererations,

will help in players to mature and grow, and will help to gain supporter connections across

the affiliated clubs.

Pre-season camps are held with all affiliated players together, ideally in a Tier 3 region, to

help player development across the code. Resources where possible are shared across the

affiliated teams, such as jumper design, administration, coaching staff, etc.

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VIBRANT & RELEVANT INTERNATIONAL GAME16. Regular international windows to provide a consistent international scene

There will be 2 windows for international play-off matches. The first will be a 3 week win-

dow mid-season, the second will be a 3 week window at the end of the season.

At the end of the year there is a 4 week window for tournaments and tours.

17. Organized international calendar with all nations playing regular competitive games

The two international windows are for 3 game play-off where each nation plays the team

higher and lower then their world ranking, to either move up or down for the year.

Lower down the rankings, the pay-offs are limited to the teams above their confederation

ranking to allow for more rivalry and reduce costs. It is expected that this set-up will provide

for considerable development of standard of the international game.

There is a 4 week space over October and November for larger tournaments and tours. It

is essential that these are regular and professionally run, with the 4 year cycle as shown. It

is expected that most of these tournaments and tours can be run in a way that constantly

raises the profile of the game in strategic areas and importantly, brings in profit.

It is suggested that the 8 Nations and World Cups are open to bids from hosts nations from

one confederation at a time. I.e The world cup would only be held in Oceania every 16

years. If their is no successful host nation bid from on confederation, it is then open to the

next confederation in line.

18. Plan for a more competitive international scene with home grown talent

By creating a consistent calendar of high profile games for a larger share of nations, this will

attract players who currently could choose to play for the big 3 nations. Having home-grown

superstars playing for their nations outside this top 3 helps to significantly market and grow

the game in their country.


JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC

NINESWORLD CLUB CHALLENGE

FIRST 12 LAST 11 ROUNDSINTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

FINALS

MID SEASONINTERNATIONAL WINDOW

END OF SEASONINTERNATIONAL WINDOW

MID SEASON INTERNATIONAL WINDOW (best of 3)

• State of Origin• 2 v 3 of world• 4 v 5 of world

• 1 v 2 of conference• 3 v 4 of conference• 5 v 6 of conference• 7 v 8 of conference• etc

PROPOSED CALENDAR

PROPOSED FOUR YEAR CYCLE

END OF SEASON INTERNATIONAL WINDOW (best of 3)

• Australia v 2 (NZ)• 3 v 4 of world• 5 v 6 of world

• 1 v 1 of each conference

• 2 v 3 of conference• 4 v 5 of conference• 6 v 7 of conference• 8 v 9 of conference• etc

INTERNATIONAL TOURNAMENTS

Year 1 - 8 Nations• 4 Nations (top 4)• 4 Nations (5-8)

Year 2 - Confederation Cups• Oceanic Cup• Celtic Cup• American Cup• European Cup

Year 3 - Year of Tours• GB Lions Tour• Kangaroo Tour• European Tour• American Tour• etc

Year 4 - World Cup• World Cup

Documents

Worldwide Rugby League Proposal