Rugby League continues to Lead The Way!

[Terry]

North American Rugby League Launches… The time is NOW!

31/03/2021 by admin

Our new North American professional rugby league competition launches today called North American Rugby League. ‘NARL’ will be a 14-team competition that will play its first round of games on the weekend of June 19 in Brooklyn and June 20 in Las Vegas.

Teams from across the United States and Canada will compete in three conferences, the East Coast Conference comprising of Atlanta Rhinos, Boston Thirteens, Brooklyn Kings, Cleveland Rugby League, New York Rugby League and Washington Cavalry. The West Coast Conference made up of Austin Armadillos, Las Vegas Blackjacks, Phoenix Venom, Portland Loggers, San Diego Swell and San Francisco Rush. Due to Covid-19 regulations, a Canada Cup will be played between Toronto Wolfpack and Ottawa Aces before both teams enter the East Coast Conference in 2022.

All games will be broadcast on NARL’s exclusive online streaming partner, SportsFlick. In 2021 due to Covid-19 regulations, all games will be played in a ‘single venue or festival style’ that will see all teams in their respective conference play in one stadium on one day with no fans to keep everyone safe.

Speaking ahead of today’s launch, NARL’s Head of Operations, Robert Curtis said “I’m delighted to introduce the North America Rugby League to rugby league fans around the world in what we firmly believe is the next big evolutionary step for Rugby League.”

“The NARL is the culmination of years of research and market testing and has been designed to bring you the hardest hitting, fastest and most exciting sport on the planet. Matches begin this summer. It’s time to get excited about a new class of contact sport.”

“We see NARL as an addition to the existing rugby league structures in the United States and certainly do not see ourselves as a ‘rival’ or ‘rebel’ league. Our sole aim is to grow the fantastic sport of rugby league in North America and create a legacy for generations to come.”

This has come out of left field. It sounds great but really ya gotta ask who finances it? Why? Who runs it? Who's gonna play in it?

It's got teams all over the country. That's massive travel costs for a start. The playing standard would be bush RL reserve grade at best. Who would wanna watch that on TV? And they're going to have no paying spectators for the first season??????

I would really like to know who is behind this and where the money is coming from. Until then I'll put this is in the 'unlikely' tray.

[leeroy*NRL*]

it seems to good to be true..

14 Teams ??

I just dont see Toronto flying to Las Vegas.

this kind of comp to setup would be millions and millions.

hopefully it attracts Americans playing it..

all games being broadcast on Sportsflick... does that even have traction in the USA

[Quolls2019]

Toronto and Ottawa are not due to play in the league until the 2022 season.
Toronto Wolfpack was recently purchased by an equity group, details are thin.
It will be interesting to see how the new league goes.

[Quolls2019]

From the Wolfpack’s website

PACK IS BACK
31/03/2021 by admin

Your Toronto Wolfpack is back and under the guidance of a new private investor group who have purchased the intellectual property assets. There is no tie to the previous ownership and our owners are now simply “Team Wolfpack”.

We will focus on our fans, our team and the City of Toronto not the ownership team. As of today, our decision is to play rugby league in North America this will hopefully make all our future games more accessible and affordable to everybody who wants to be a part of our journey.

Our season together starts this year as we are proud to announce we have joined the new North American Rugby League “NARL”. Where we will be playing some amazing teams in some awesome cities across North America creating some great new rivalries.

NARL has the full support of the Canada Rugby League Association “CRLA”, chairman Bob Jowett had this to say “The formation of a North American professional Rugby League competition has long been discussed and is considered to be a key progression for the sport. For such a competition to grow and thrive it is essential that strong links are built with grassroots organizations developing community Rugby League. A condition for teams to join the NARL is for them to support grassroots development. This being the case, the NARL not only offers opportunities for players, player and coach development, and the Americas national teams (including the Canada Ravens and Canada Wolverines) it also promises to significantly help with growth of grassroots Rugby League. As a result, the CRLA is fully supportive of the NARL and looks forward to working with the organization to maximize grassroots development including non-traditional versions of the sport such as CANTAG (non-contact), Masters, Wheelchair, Physical Disability in addition to Women’s, Men’s and Junior Rugby League.”

While we will not erase any of the fantastic, historic and positive achievements of Wolfpack, Team Wolfpack promises that together we will make new great memories on our journey together.

The team has a lot to do putting together the front and back office, but we will keep everybody up to date on a regular basis via social media.

For Media Enquiries please email info@torontowolfpack.com

Regards

Team Wolfpack

[Quolls2019]

Ottawa Aces put out call for Canadian talent to help fill rugby league roster
THE CANADIAN PRESSApr. 8, 2021 11:50 a.m.CANADA & WORLDSPORTS






OTTAWA — The Ottawa Aces are looking for Canadian talent.

The fledgling rugby league club, slated to begin play in 2022 in England’s third tier and the new North American Rugby League, has announced plans to hold invitation-only tryouts this summer in Ottawa.

The club says it is “committed: to offering at least 16 pro contracts to Canadians for the 2022 season.


“Whether you’re a football player, rugby player, hockey player or just a gifted athlete who thinks you can play the greatest game of all, this is your chance to prove it,” Aces GM Gareth Reid said in a statement.

“If selected you will be invited to join the club for an initial five- to six-week paid trial period and those successful at the end will be awarded a full-time professional contract with the club for 2022. This trial will include playing in the Canada Cup versus the Toronto Wolfpack.”

The combine/tryout is for Canadian and Canadian-based athletes only.

Athletes are asked to send in their sporting resumes, along with links to highlights and game footage to the Ottawa club, via info@ottawaaces.com.

[leeroy*NRL*]

it is so much better that Toronto and Ottawa are playing in a North American League.
it makes perfect sense, i could even see Canada getting another 2 sides down the track.

[Quolls2019]

Not convinced of the leagues viability, but I could be wrong. A couple of teams are from the usarl and a couple of teams might be in direct competition by location with teams in that amateur league.

[leeroy*NRL*]

Not convinced of the leagues viability, but I could be wrong. A couple of teams are from the usarl and a couple of teams might be in direct competition by location with teams in that amateur league.

it will be a tiny league for most clubs..
and than there will be a few pulling some decent crowds.

they are starting at the worst possible time i think...

[Quolls2019]

Are cracks beginning to appear?

New North American rugby league ‘not sanctioned’ by governing body
15th April 2021 James Gordon North America 2

The governing body of rugby league in the USA says the recently announced professional North American Rugby League competition is unsanctioned and participating players may become ineligible for international duty.
The NARL was announced late last Month, with 14 teams set to take part including Toronto Wolfpack and Ottawa Aces.

But the USARL is the national governing body and member of International Rugby League and has issued a statement to highlight their authority over rugby league activity across the pond.


The statement said: “The IRL has global property rights whereby appointed member regions and nations uphold  requirements in order to conduct Rugby League activities, inclusive of reporting  participation levels of registered competitions and players, satisfactory insurance for the  safety of players staff and spectators, statistics and financial results leading to  transparency of the national operating model.
“Failure for such entities to meet these requirements may result in participating nations and  their players being considered in-eligible for international duties.
“We encourage all  registered and participating players seek confirmation with their associated club  administrators and officials that they and their club are in compliance.
“While the efforts to establish a professional Rugby League competition in the US are  admirable and encouraged, the recently announced NARL remains an unsanctioned competition in the US at this time. Alongside our common goal of development and  exposure of the game in the USA, the Inc. and LLC ’s critical focus is to ensure player  safety, protection, sustainability and a pathway to international player eligibility.
“The Inc. and the LLC look forward to working with the NARL to continue efforts of inclusion  for all, and expansion of competitions under sanction to enhance our national foot print,  and improve the Hawks performance and presence on the international stage.”
The league is, however, sanctioned by the USARL’s equivalent in Canada, the CRLA.

CRLA chairman, Bob Jowett said: “The CRLA is fully supportive of the NARL and looks forward to working with the organization to maximise grassroots development including non-traditional versions of the sport.”
The USARL’s domestic competition is due to get underway at the beginning of June, involving six clubs – Atlanta Rhinos, Jacksonville Axeman, Lakeland Renegades, South Florida Speed, Southwest Florida Copperheads and Tampa Mayhem.
Former Wigan prop Eddy Pettybourne, who has represented Samoa and USA at international level, has been the highest-profile signing made by NARL clubs so far.
He will leave French club Villeneuve at the end of the current season to join Brooklyn Kings.

[Quolls2019]

More on the NARL

North America Rugby League examined - salary cap, players, impact on RFL and Super League
Everything we know so far about the new competition which has been announced.

ByAaron Bower Hull Live

The announcement of the new North America Rugby League competition on Wednesday certainly got rugby league fans excited - but there are more questions than answers at this stage.
14 teams - including Toronto Wolfpack, Ottawa and New York - will compete in the inaugural NARL, which begins in June. But how will it work, and what are the initial challenges facing the competition? This is everything we know so far.
Where are the players coming from?
Some of the teams that will compete are existing rugby league sides, such as Brooklyn Kings and Boston Thirteens, who play in the USARL competition, the existing domestic competition for American rugby league sides.
But many of the teams are new start-ups: including New York and Ottawa, who have not yet played a single competitive game. That immediately raises questions of where the teams will get their players from to fill their squads. The answer, it seems, lies in rugby union.
While the majority of teams in the Western Conference are new startups, some of them do have a presence in rugby union - and Rugby League Live has been told that, in the initial stages at least, many players will switch between codes throughout the year, with players playing union in the winter, before switching to league and the NARL in the summer.
However, there are some existing names already familiar to fans that will be playing.

What established names will be involved?
The organisers insist they have had interest from Super League and Championship players already about crossing the Atlantic and playing for an NARL team - and anyone who does will meet some familiar faces in the competition.
Perhaps the most recognisable is former Hull FC forward Peter Lupton, who will be lining up for Boston Thirteens at the age of 39.
Some of the most notable names to represent the United States at international level are also locked-in to play. Mark Offerdahl, who captained USA at the last World Cup, looks set to represent New York in their inaugural season, while Eddy Pettybourne is also believed to have agreed a deal to play for a team in the competition.
Ryan Burroughs, arguably the most successful American-born rugby league player in recent years, is another who will be involved in the league.
Will there be a salary cap?
Yes. Clubs will be able to spend $300,000 on their squads in the first year - with clubs expected to show good, prudent financial management at all times courtesy of frequent checks by the competition organisers.
The notion of marquee players has not yet been finalised, with discussions set to take place in the coming weeks and months.
What does it mean for New York and Ottawa joining the RFL?
That now won't be happening. Rugby League Live has been told the two franchises are '100% done with the RFL', and are solely focussed on playing a part in the growth and development of the new competition in North America.
Can it survive financially?
Some of the investment initially set to go into New York and Ottawa upon joining the British game have now been redistributed into the competition's organisation, Rugby League Live has learned.
The priority has seemingly shifted from creating strong, independent teams that could thrive in the RFL, to an all-round stronger foundation for the sport in North America.
But with fans not able to attend games in the initial stages this summer, and the USA's Covid-19 outlook far more severe than the United Kingdom's, it will be a rocky start for sure.


My Notes

I understand that $300,000 is not the salary cap but the total budget for each club in thefirst year.
Ottawa are still committed to the RFL in 2022 according to Eric Perez, which means they may have to field 2 teams, but COVID may still restrict trans Atlantic travel next year.

[leeroy*NRL*]

i did not get the point of starting it this June In America With Covid out of control.

Travelling to Canada to USA is going to be hard.
No fans can attend..

What the hell are they thinking..

[Terry]

i did not get the point of starting it this June In America With Covid out of control.

Travelling to Canada to USA is going to be hard.
No fans can attend..

What the hell are they thinking..

I could be wrong but I really can't see this comp being a goer. There are so many unanswered questions it seems like pie in the sky. If they actually start on time, or at all, I will be very surprised.

[Quolls2019]

i did not get the point of starting it this June In America With Covid out of control.

Travelling to Canada to USA is going to be hard.
No fans can attend..

What the hell are they thinking..

My understanding is that for the first season, although counted in the “14” the 2 Canadian teams are not included in the fixture and are only scheduled for 2 games against each other, so travel between countries will not be an issue in the initial season.
But the whole thing is very dicey in these times....even without these times startup football leagues in the US tend to be crash and burn material.

[leeroy*NRL*]

either do i especially with the timing and no crowds.

like WTF >>> who launces a new comp with no crowds and during this Covid climate.

Its stupidity at best

I will await and see..

[pussycat Mark 11]

(With Kayo included)
R6 standout on Fox, Rabbitohs v Wests Tigers clash attracted an average audience of 465k and is the 11th highest NRL game of all time on sub tv.

Wow!