Championship Attendances : 2023 (Rounds 1-18)

The second division of UK Rugby League is doing well as far as attendances go. After eighteen rounds, they are up 12.7% compared to the complete 2022 season. Numbers do drop gradually during the season so that percentage should be lower when all 2023 games are completed. That said, it can be taken that it will be up by a reasonable margin. 

Sheffield leads the way with a nice stand for fans to enjoy the game from. Newcastle have pulled their attendance average around into positive territory. Three clubs weren't here last year, the two that moved up have done well as expected and the one that moved down (Toulouse) suffered, again as expected. 

Batley has the distinction of most of its matches estimated so I've given them 1,500 for each. If anyone feels that should be different, leave a comment. Featherstone, Keighley and York have taken the same route for their last few home games. They have been estimated as 3,000, 2,400 and 2,000 respectively. Again, comments are welcome. 

London shares a ground with Wimbledon soccer club, a ground capacity of 9,000. The 1,160 average is well below that but slightly better than the 2022 figure of 1,000 per match. Featherstone does very well considering the size of the town but generous increases just aren't feasible.

Those not choosing to report attendance have lessened the accuracy of the list, depending on how accurate the estimates are. Some rounds look more like Swiss cheese than cheddar. It's not as if the clubs concerned have something to be embarrassed about. It's just shoddy administration and a lack of accountability to anyone for that. 

As a reference, rounds 1 to 8 result are shown below:

4

State of Origin : 2023

A competition that holds less for me than it used to do still draws huge interest in Australia. It started in 1980, pitting two states in Australia against each other. Players are eligible according to where they are born rather than where they play professionally. 

Technically NSW should do better with a larger playing pool but sport doesn't necessarily work like that. There are thirteen players on the field at a given moment and it all comes down to them, and four more on the bench as rotating replacements.

Game One: 48,613 fans at the neutral city of Adelaide saw Queensland take a 1-0 lead in the series with a 26-18 victory. They lead 10-6 at the break so little in it. 

Game Two: 52,433 turned up in Brisbane to witness the home side secure a comfortable win 32-6 (Half time 10-0). This ensured that Queensland won the series and left NSW looking rather ordinary.

Game Three: 75,342 spectators came along to see if NSW could redeem themselves. They were ahead 18-10 at the change of ends and went on to win 24-10, looking the better side in the process.

Summary: Overall, Queensland won two games to one and the combined scores were 68-48. They deserved their success and were better at turning opportunities into points. There is little between the sides as is the case historically but Queensland finds a way to win.

Fun facts: Over the 128 matches held since its inception, using percentages it show points scored are even at 50% - 50%. It favours Queensland for match wins 54 - 2 - 44 and series wins 59 - 5 - 36. 

North American RL 2023

I have to say that the NA region here under consideration is huge so for teams to travel is costly and time consuming for what is an amateur sport. Regional leagues make sense but getting enough clubs playing to form a credible regional league is a challenge. I'm concerned I will find getting results to cover these various competitions difficult. 

I've been putting out articles on RL in the Americas region for some time and they can be found by clicking the Americas under Labels. I will try to cover the 2023 as best I can but if anyone can assist me please leave a comment or email me at rdc1234@gmail.com.

Pic: Jacksonville Axeman

USARL Conference (4 Teams): 

Jacksonville Axemen, Tampa Mayhem, SWFL Copperhards and the Atlanta Rhinos. It's good to see the Rhinos back but sad that the South Florida Speed are not playing this year.

RL United (4 Teams):

Boston 13's, Brooklyn Kings, DC Cavalry and the Delaware Black Foxes. Nice to have teams back in the NE playing in this new competition. The Philadelphia Flight goes back to 1998 but they have merged with the Black Foxes. 

Pacific Coast RL (6 teams):

La Bandidos, LA Mongrels San Diego Baracudas and the Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans (really?) in Calfornia. In Utah there are the Herriman Roosters and the Riverton Seagulls*. There seems to be a club in Oregon but not playing games with the other four competitively. 

RLBC (6 teams): 

Coastal Cougars, Point Grey Thunder, Vancouver Dragons, Vancouver Valley Vipers, Vancouver Valley Warriors and the Whistler Wolves. I don't know anything about this West Coast Canadian conference but will do some digging.

Ontario RL (4 teams): 

Brampton Beavers, Brantford Broncos, Ontario Ospreys and Toronto City Saints. Again I will do some investigating to learn more.

I believe there is some interest in the Chicago area but nothing seems to be happening there in terms of some sort of regular competition. I will try to put out something regarding the results of the respective conferences.

*Since this article was written, the Utah area has two new sides, doubling their numbers. The new teams are the Provo Broncos and the Glendale Storm.