The Game's Origin - Part 4

When sport was becoming an important part of modern society, new games were readily embraced. When those sports established themselves, a history built up and people became generational followers of a code. Now those sports are entrenched in societies, it's much harder to sell a new sport to the public. Rugby League has got onto the promoting their game late, and with little funding made available.

Where it all starts. Skills that are
learned here are so important

Another issue is that as sports have advanced in skills, a new nation taking to a sport is miles off the standards of the top nations. Take for example Rugby League. In France the game only started in 1934 yet by 1939 it was regarded as the top nation in the world. A new nation starting up now would need a structure of clubs from junior level through to senior grades with quality coaches to even have a hope of getting anywhere near the top. That will take decades to come to fruition.

So how is Rugby League doing with spreading itself? One change was Britain becoming four national sides. The Pacific Islanders who moved to New Zealand initially and more latterly Australia have created credible national sides. Expat Australian and NZers took the game to PNG and Fiji and they are now playing it. Places such as Italy and Lebanon have tapped their heritage players in Australia and they have done OK too. Add France and you have the leading nations of the sport.

The problem is the rest of the world. North America and mainland Europe have many nations that recently started playing the game, but lifting them to a higher standard is a challenge. The 80 minute game is tough when you are outgunned. There is nowhere to hide. So surely the shortened nine-a-side game of about 20 minutes duration should be promoted internationally to even things up a bit. Lesser nations can hang on for a shorter time and more likely affect an upset. Matches could be played in tournament style.

Unfortunately, I have found that sports administrators everywhere lack initiative. They tend to stay with what they know and change is reluctantly accepted. Rugby League has shown flexibility in rules and innovations but comes up short with expansion efforts.

For the first in the series, simply click here.
Picture source: Rugby-League.com