International European 9's (if only)

Something should be done to promote RL for the RLEF members. Cost and scheduling is always an issue. How about 9's? If it could be done over one weekend each year, that shouldn't be too much should it? So here is an idea. Divide it into two divisions of 12 teams each. They could all play in one venue with a carnival atmosphere.

If games went 15 minutes each and allowing a minute to change ends and four minutes for occasional injury stoppages and the next game commencing, that would mean 3 games per hour. That would give plenty of time for all the games and finals.

So what would be the groups? To start 24 teams are automatically selected and divided into three team groups. Each team plays each other once within its group. Three matches per group = 24 games. Then a playoff system where a winner for each division is found. Two teams are promoted and two relegated between divisions.

Future nations wishing to join may do so but that would have to be assessed whether nations should drop out of division 2 and be replaced or the participant number expanded. Costs and popularity of the event would dictate that. So here are two hypothetical divisions put together.

	1st Division			2nd Division
		Group 1			Group 1
	1	England		1	Spain
	2	Canada		2	Sweden
	3	Russia		3	Czech Rep
		Group 2			Group 2
	1	France		1	Germany
	2	Italy		2	Jamaica
	3	Belgium		3	Netherlands
		Group 3			Group 3
	1	Ireland		1	Ukraine
	2	Serbia		2	Norway
	3	Malta		3	Hungary
		Group 4			Group 4
	1	Wales		1	Greece
	2	Scotland		2	Denmark
	3	Lebanon		3	Poland

Depending how it was done, the whole event could be held over one or two days. It would give minor nations something to aim for and test themselves against similar level of opponent. It would be good publicity and as it moved to different locations, give the public a chance to enjoy RL in a carnival, fun atmosphere. It sounds the sort of thing that would be too hard for the game to execute. Oh well.