Serious question about NRL's direction

[King-Eliagh]

Find me the media that has made the same observation and I will happily line you up with them. Also find me the RL fans, i've no doubt there's a few out there who would have the same racist opinion as yourself. Post up all your allies Xman and I'll shoot the fukkers down also. More than happy to :D

now you're calling them a group?

beep beep beep beep

Even then it doesnt change the fact you're referring to people of Islander descent only you dummy!

[Xman]

Find me the media that has made the same observation and I will happily line you up with them. Also find me the RL fans, i've no doubt there's a few out there who would have the same racist opinion as yourself. Post up all your allies Xman and I'll shoot the fukkers down also. More than happy to :D

now you're calling them a group?

beep beep beep beep

Even then it doesnt change the fact you're referring to people of Islander descent only you dummy!

You saw the article yourself. Participation rates for Junior RL amongst kids of indigenous or european descent are dropping because of the growing participation rates of polynesian kids.

This isnt a problem??

These arent my comments either. All I did was make an observation that it was happening.

But we must all be racists.

[King-Eliagh]

you goose. As i said that's a completely different issue and lets be straight about it. There is no proof it is "because of participation of pacific islander kids"...thats hearsay. Fact is Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders are WELL represented at the NRL level.

This thread and your comments were not about junior leagues. They are/were directly related to the NRL. If you cant acknowledge your statement was racist I cant help you anymore. Just continue being a lamo. We will take some enjoyment out of pointing and laughing at your ignorance.

Carry on.

[Xman]

Kidding around ... Nathan Hindmarsh with Bailey and Brodie Frost and Zachary Coom. Photo: Jacky Ghossein
Parents of young kids playing or wanting to play rugby league, I need your input. Thirty years ago, rugby league in Australia was predominantly an Anglo-Saxon game played in NSW and Queensland.

These days our game looks very different. Off the field our game and our major NRL competition have significantly expanded their influence. I would hope we're only getting started in this regard. But this is a column for another time. Today I want to talk about life on the field of play, particularly at the junior levels.

The latest figures from the NRL show that 35 per cent of NRL players are of Polynesian background.

In the elite national under-20s competition, the number of players with Pacific Islander and Maori heritage increases to more than 45 per cent. As for junior league registrations, it's anyone's guess. I wouldn't be surprised to find that of all the kids registered to play rugby league in the Sydney metropolitan area, say over the age of 10, the percentage of young league players of Islander or Maori background is much higher again.

Advertisement
In some regions or teams the domination could be as high as 80-90 per cent.

I suspect a lot of six-year-olds drag their parents down to the local park to register them for rugby league to play with their schoolmates. However, by nine or 10, many kids, or most likely their parents, are disillusioned with their rugby league experience. By this age, the massive difference in the physical development of the Polynesian kids is really starting to take effect.

I went to some junior league trial games a few weeks ago. I saw games from about under-10s upwards.

The difference in sizes of the Polynesian boys to non-Polynesian kids was dramatic. In an under-12s game, two of the bigger kids I saw would not look out of place in the under-20s. They must have been 90 kilograms in weight, and tall and strong. Some of the collisions were frightening and had the parents of the smaller kids groaning with worry on the sidelines.

To his credit, the referee did his best to tone down the physical efforts of the bigger kids to protect the others. The younger and less experienced junior league referees are probably less likely to interfere. However, there is only so much you can do. For the smaller kids, though, what does this do for their weekend rugby league experience?

Let me stress here, this is not the fault of the Polynesian and Maori kids! They and their families love the game and they have every right to play to the best of their ability and enjoy its many benefits. This is not their problem. I'm just wondering if it's a major problem for the parents of other kids.

Paul Walker of ARL Development said: ''The issue of larger players playing against smaller players in the same age group has been discussed and looked into many times over the past 10 years by the ARL Development Council. The ARL Development's retention committee began looking at the issue of restricted football early in 2005 and after a series of discussions with management and staff from the Auckland Rugby League an initial report was produced in May 2005.

"This report suggested that age/weight trials should be held in various areas in 2006; however, no junior league elected to trial these restricted football recommendations."

Panthers chairman Don Feltis told me this week: "We were keen to instigate age/weight competition a few years ago; however, we couldn't get enough junior clubs and parents interested in the concept."

Some restricted football competitions have been introduced in schools programs. I'm not really a fan of the age/weight concept, either. However, I'm convinced we could do more for the smaller kids in the way our junior league is played.

The rugby union structure in Auckland is noticeably different to league. For example, players start in clubs (six-12 years), then play school rugby (13-18 years), and then rejoin clubs for senior competitions (18 years plus).

Restricted age/weight football is strongly promoted, and widely accepted. In these competitions it is estimated that 80-90 per cent of all elite players are Polynesian.

Maybe I'm wrong but I really believe this is a major issue for our game right now and we need to keep looking at this problem. It has far-reaching effects on the future of our code. The reason most of our junior representative teams are dominated by Polynesian boys is twofold.

Firstly, the kids of Islander and Maori backgrounds are physically superior at this age. Secondly, I would imagine the number of non-Polynesian kids dropping out of rugby league before they turn 16 is at an all-time high.

Ten years ago I started writing in this column about the urgent need for changes in the way we organise junior league football. I have also campaigned for a playmaker academy for kids of all ages to help develop the pool of talented smaller players for the future.

Our skill positions in rugby league are suffering because of a change in the kind of game played and because players with these body types are not persevering right through the current junior league pathways and into the representative teams. The traditional five-eighth is all but dead in our game. There is a shortage of halfbacks - and very few stars on the horizon in these skilled positions. During the off-season some clubs were offering fortunes to veterans such as Trent Barrett and Brett Kimmorley to delay their retirements because they desperately needed experienced playmakers for their teams.

At the very least, though, I am concerned how parents and youngsters view their early league experiences and whether we as a code are making it easier for parents to take their kids off to other sports and activities. Obviously not all kids who first pull on a boot are going to become professional footballers. The percentage who go on to play at a senior level is minuscule compared to the huge numbers that first register. However, if we lose kids and their parents in these early years, do we not run the risk of losing our future fans, viewers, administrators and sponsors?

So, to the parents out there, please send me your feedback.

Are you happy with your kid's early rugby league experiences? Junior coaches, do you see a problem with the way league is played or structured? Are you happy with the way things are going?

Parents of Polynesian kids, please send me your opinions as well. Junior league referees, do you have difficulty when one team with several big players has a clear physical dominance over a team of smaller kids? How do you cope?

Send me your mail. I will file a report in these pages when I have read all the responses.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/rugby-league/leag ... z25fnfsN3K

RACIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Xman]

Got it yet??

[King-Eliagh]

Again you cite the age for weight issue.

This thread and your dumb comments were about the percentage of players in the NRL being a problem. Completely different, and yes, racist.

Got it?

If you meant this issue you have now apparently backpedalled to raise, then fine. But first you should acknowledge your initial comment and the issue you initially raised was, racist. So can you now acknowledge your past comments were racist yet? Or do you want me to quote it for you....again?

[Xman]

Again you cite the age for weight issue.

This thread and your dumb comments were about the percentage of players in the NRL being a problem. Completely different, and yes, racist.

Got it?

If you meant this issue you have now apparently backpedalled to raise, then fine. But first you should acknowledge your initial comment and the issue you initially raised was, racist. So can you now acknowledge your past comments were racist yet? Or do you want me to quote it for you....again?

Not at all. The more polynesian stars that arrive from other countries and become stars in this countries elite level the more polynesian kids will also play junior RL in this country. This displaces kids of other ethnic backgrounds because they just cant compete.

So either call these people racists too or apologise!

[King-Eliagh]

As is pointed out in the article you linked. These kids have every right to play and as I've said a massive proportion of the current NRL players were born here. If they are successful that is good for them, they deserve it. They dont deserve numbskulls like you and others (not in the article you've provided btw) directing their argument racially towards "Islanders" as the issue and as "displacing kids from other ethnic backgrounds".

Again your ignorance is showing. The issue you are racially tainting is one about age for weight. Yes that's an issue and it should be kept completely separate to the number of players of Islander descent playing in the NRL to ensure race relations are not harmed in this.

Now stop the racism Xman, right now!

[Xman]

As is pointed out in the article you linked. These kids have every right to play and as I've said a massive proportion of the current NRL players were born here. If they are successful that is good for them, they deserve it. They dont deserve numbskulls like you and others (not in the article you've provided btw) directing their argument racially towards "Islanders" as the issue and as "displacing kids from other ethnic backgrounds".

Again your ignorance is showing. The issue you are racially tainting is one about age for weight. Yes that's an issue and it should be kept completely separate to the number of players of Islander descent playing in the NRL to ensure race relations are not harmed in this.

Now stop the racism Xman, right now!

Where did I direct an argument "against them"? It was never against anyone! I merely stated that the currrent proportions could cause problems and others have made similar observations.

I dont take lightly to being called a racist as I know I am most definately not! Now apologise!

[King-Eliagh]

Xman, if you are too up yourself to realise your own ignorance in this one then that's fine, wallow in your racist ignorant bliss.

The fact is RL players of Islander descent have not increased their numbers in the NRL by some sinister intervention which needs to be stopped/reversed for the good of the 'Australian' community as you suggest. Its happened organically and it would no doubt be a great sense of pride for Polynesian communities who call Australia home. To have some divisive dunderbrain like yourself and cos rock up and suggest that this success, this overrepresentation at the elite level is "bad", is the "wrong direction", is "not a good advertisement for the sport in 'our' community" as you have clearly stated is nothing less than racism.

Aboriginal players are also overrepresented in both RL and Marngrook, in comparison to as you state "the ethnic mix in Australia". This has also happened organically and its awesome not "bad". God help us if Marngrook takes off in Africa over the next 30 years eh Xman? They might just succeed and those who have immigrated here might be overrepresented in the AFL comp. Would that be a bad advertisement for the sport for your so called "Australian community" too?

Now I've quite clearly stated the junior weight for age issue is entirely different to what both you and cos have said. Entirely different and dont make me quote you again, that's getting boring. As I said if you are too up yourself to realise your own ignorant and racist comments here, then you cant be helped. Personally i can see you are not intentionally racist, but what you said was, and those mugs who cant acknowledge their own ignorance on these sort of matters deserve to be called racists. Balls in your court

[Raiderdave]

Xman, if you are too up yourself to realise your own ignorance in this one then that's fine, wallow in your racist ignorant bliss.

The fact is RL players of Islander descent have not increased their numbers in the NRL by some sinister intervention which needs to be stopped/reversed for the good of the 'Australian' community as you suggest. Its happened organically and it would no doubt be a great sense of pride for Polynesian communities who call Australia home. To have some divisive dunderbrain like yourself and cos rock up and suggest that this success, this overrepresentation at the elite level is "bad", is the "wrong direction", is "not a good advertisement for the sport in 'our' community" as you have clearly stated is nothing less than racism.

Aboriginal players are also overrepresented in both RL and Marngrook, in comparison to as you state "the ethnic mix in Australia". This has also happened organically and its awesome not "bad". God help us if Marngrook takes off in Africa over the next 30 years eh Xman? They might just succeed and those who have immigrated here might be overrepresented in the AFL comp. Would that be a bad advertisement for the sport for your so called "Australian community" too?

Now I've quite clearly stated the junior weight for age issue is entirely different to what both you and cos have said. Entirely different and dont make me quote you again, that's getting boring. As I said if you are too up yourself to realise your own ignorant and racist comments here, then you cant be helped. Personally i can see you are not intentionally racist, but what you said was, and those mugs who cant acknowledge their own ignorance on these sort of matters deserve to be called racists. Balls in your court

hes a typical vanillaball fan E

the whitest sport on the planet
nearly no ethnic diversity because no one else cares for the stupid game .. or could be bothered putting up with its stupid ignorant .. or openly racist players & fans
a sad .. bland ... one dimensional sport that will forever be confined to a tiny little corner of one small country

lets all ignore it
oh hang on .. we are

[Xman]

Xman, if you are too up yourself to realise your own ignorance in this one then that's fine, wallow in your racist ignorant bliss.

The fact is RL players of Islander descent have not increased their numbers in the NRL by some sinister intervention which needs to be stopped/reversed for the good of the 'Australian' community as you suggest. Its happened organically and it would no doubt be a great sense of pride for Polynesian communities who call Australia home. To have some divisive dunderbrain like yourself and cos rock up and suggest that this success, this overrepresentation at the elite level is "bad", is the "wrong direction", is "not a good advertisement for the sport in 'our' community" as you have clearly stated is nothing less than racism.

Aboriginal players are also overrepresented in both RL and Marngrook, in comparison to as you state "the ethnic mix in Australia". This has also happened organically and its awesome not "bad". God help us if Marngrook takes off in Africa over the next 30 years eh Xman? They might just succeed and those who have immigrated here might be overrepresented in the AFL comp. Would that be a bad advertisement for the sport for your so called "Australian community" too?

Now I've quite clearly stated the junior weight for age issue is entirely different to what both you and cos have said. Entirely different and dont make me quote you again, that's getting boring. As I said if you are too up yourself to realise your own ignorant and racist comments here, then you cant be helped. Personally i can see you are not intentionally racist, but what you said was, and those mugs who cant acknowledge their own ignorance on these sort of matters deserve to be called racists. Balls in your court

hes a typical vanillaball fan E

the whitest sport on the planet
nearly no ethnic diversity because no one else cares for the stupid game .. or could be bothered putting up with its stupid ignorant .. or openly racist players & fans
a sad .. bland ... one dimensional sport that will forever be confined to a tiny little corner of one small country

lets all ignore it
oh hang on .. we are

More ignorance from you!

Gaelic football anyone? Hurling?

[King-Eliagh]

Yes Raider I agree. Xman's clearly engulfed in a very narrowminded environment. No clue whatsoever.

Oh and Xman, I know you havent yet noticed, but Australia is one of the most multicultural nations in the world. Ireland, where gaelic footy and hurling are played, pales in comparison. Pardon the pun.

Maybe you should move there Xman? You might be more at ease?

[Raiderdave]

Xman, if you are too up yourself to realise your own ignorance in this one then that's fine, wallow in your racist ignorant bliss.

The fact is RL players of Islander descent have not increased their numbers in the NRL by some sinister intervention which needs to be stopped/reversed for the good of the 'Australian' community as you suggest. Its happened organically and it would no doubt be a great sense of pride for Polynesian communities who call Australia home. To have some divisive dunderbrain like yourself and cos rock up and suggest that this success, this overrepresentation at the elite level is "bad", is the "wrong direction", is "not a good advertisement for the sport in 'our' community" as you have clearly stated is nothing less than racism.

Aboriginal players are also overrepresented in both RL and Marngrook, in comparison to as you state "the ethnic mix in Australia". This has also happened organically and its awesome not "bad". God help us if Marngrook takes off in Africa over the next 30 years eh Xman? They might just succeed and those who have immigrated here might be overrepresented in the AFL comp. Would that be a bad advertisement for the sport for your so called "Australian community" too?

Now I've quite clearly stated the junior weight for age issue is entirely different to what both you and cos have said. Entirely different and dont make me quote you again, that's getting boring. As I said if you are too up yourself to realise your own ignorant and racist comments here, then you cant be helped. Personally i can see you are not intentionally racist, but what you said was, and those mugs who cant acknowledge their own ignorance on these sort of matters deserve to be called racists. Balls in your court

hes a typical vanillaball fan E

the whitest sport on the planet
nearly no ethnic diversity because no one else cares for the stupid game .. or could be bothered putting up with its stupid ignorant .. or openly racist players & fans
a sad .. bland ... one dimensional sport that will forever be confined to a tiny little corner of one small country

lets all ignore it
oh hang on .. we are

More ignorance from you!

Gaelic football anyone? Hurling?

last time I looked .... the Irish were white

whiteywhiteball strikes again

[Xman]

Yes Raider I agree. Xman's clearly engulfed in a very narrowminded environment. No clue whatsoever.

Oh and Xman, I know you havent yet noticed, but Australia is one of the most multicultural nations in the world. Ireland, where gaelic footy and hurling are played, pales in comparison. Pardon the pun.

Maybe you should move there Xman? You might be more at ease?

I was answering Dave's ignorant comment that ARs is the whitest sport on the planet. The two examples I gave show he's wrong as usual. Nice to see you support him in his ignorance though. =D>