RL UK & Governance

I live a long way from the UK so maybe I don't understand the situation properly. It could also mean that I focus on the overall situation and don't get sidetracked by details. You decide. 

Those that are aware of RL in the UK understand that the code needs a broader spread of clubs and supporters. A successful London club is an important part of that. The idea that is sometimes floated is that the responsibility falls on the professional SL clubs to grow the game because it is in their long term interest to me seems idealistic. 

SL clubs are doing it tough with reduced media return etc. so that is where their finances go. The only ones likely to sustain a SL presence are those supported by benefactor owners putting in money to keep them viable. That is their primary focus. 

It's easy to talk about what clubs should do but to achieve anything meaningful will involve an ongoing cost so is it realistic to think that will happen? The notion that all the SL clubs will unite in a vision of pursuing the greater good of the game and will put up what's necessary to achieve anything like what's really needed doesn't seem realistic to me. 

So rather than wheel out it's in their best interest mantra, what the sport needs is a strong governing body in the UK. Perhaps that's why the governing body of the sport in Australia (the NRL) getting involved could shift the control of the sport to a neutral governing body overseeing it with the resources required to spread the game and let the clubs do what they are supposed to do, run successful clubs. 

If the game in the UK continues as it is, it will get what is getting and has been getting. RL in the UK needs a major overhaul of its governance and with that finances to help the code grow. Can I see that happening or retention of the status quo? Probably the latter.

On The Road Matches

Does Rugby League do enough to spread the game through taking matches on the road? In Australia it's common for this but to places the game is already played. It's a chance for people there to see top flight RL and creates goodwill between the club and the town they visit.

Then the more risky option of going to a place where the game isn't known and hoping for curious locals to come along. An initiative is going to Las Vegas which has been successful but travelling fans mask the fact that not too many US citizens attend. However, it gets media coverage and in that sense is a success. Plus it gradually wins over the US public. 

The Catalan Dragons in Perpignan, France took a game to Barcelona in 2019. They share a Catalan heritage so that was a help. Over 31,500 turned up when the average for the Dragons at home that year was 8,600. So what a success. It's not been done since and I don't know why but there must be reasons for that. 

So comparing the effect of that game on that year's total attendances with other years around it can be seen on the graph to the right. 2021 was lost to Covid in case you wonder why the gap. 

I did a different colour for 2019 but it does stand out regardless. Some may say it distorts the figures but it spreads awareness of the game and presumably was successful financially.

There is a risk in doing this sort of thing but surely well worth it for the reasons already mentioned. An average in excess of 10,000* for the only time in the Dragons history. I wonder if they will do something like this in future.

*The columns on each side of the graph are thousands. The years covered are from 2015 to 2025 (2025 one game only)

Picture source: Catalan Dragons. 

Las Vegas 2025 Development Matches

 As part of the Rugby League festival in Las Vegas 2025 were development games. In 2024, the USA and Canada played an international which ended 16-16. For 2025, that was expanded as was the main event. For 2025, the USA Men were scheduled to play their Greece counterparts in two games and the women from those nations one game.

Game 1: The first men's USA v Greece game had to be canceled due to vandalism at the ground they were to play at.  

Game 2: The USA Women then took on Greece, the USA the more experienced. The USA raced to a 34-0 lead at half time and the score could have been anything. However, the second half was more even and it ended 46-0. The highlights are below.

Game 3: The USA men took on Greece with high hopes. The Greek side included locals from the fledgling Greek competition but was fortified with players from Australia with Greek heritage. 

It started as a tussle as each side tried to gain ascendancy. The USA led 10-6 heading into half time but Greece struck twice late to lead 18-10. The second half it was all Greece as their experience and fitness started to count. 46-10 to Greece at the end. Highlights below.

Las Vegas 2025

Rugby League went to Las Vegas in 2024 where two opening matches of the Australasian NRL competition were played. Nearly 41,000 spectators went along. In 2025, a repeat of 2024 but with the addition of a UK Super League match and an international women's game. So how did it go?

Game 1: Wigan and Warrington from the UK SL kicked off. Wigan took control and led 24-0 at half time. Warrington did come back but Wigan took it comfortably 48-24.

Game 2: The Canberra Raiders and the NZ Warriors then made their appearance with the Raiders ahead 16-4 at the turn around. They went on to win 30-8 so another clear winner.

Game 3: This was a risk with professional Australia Jillaroos taking on the barely semi-pro England. This had one sided written all over it although the hope was England would lift sufficiently to make it a contest. It was anything but. the 90-4 scoreline was embarrassing and surely will not feature here again.

Game 4: The game of the day was the Penrith v Cronulla clash. 12-10 was the half time score and it ended 28-22 with the result never certain. It would have been nice if other games were closer but that is sport for you. 

Summary: 45,000 spectators were there, up 4,500 on 2024. Some English fans went last year but more this year with a game from the UK included this year. So that probably made the difference. Did locals turn up too? Yes but not an increase from '24. It will make US sports viewers more aware of the code so it may help media deals. Gambling revenue would gain too. 

So a success but one with much potential but patience will be needed as awareness grows for an unknown code in the USA.