New Member, Bradford lad in Canada : Thu Oct 22, 2015 9:20 am  

Good day everyone. Not sure where to put this seeing as I’m new here, if there’s a better place then mods please move as appropriate. Been a Bradford Northern/Bulls fan since the 70’s, but have become involved in Rugby League in Canada since moving over here to Toronto. I just wanted to let people know firstly that Canada is playing rugby league, have gone from unranked to 13th in the world in the last 5 years and are hopefully going to qualify for our first RLWC in December. The Canada Wolverines just completed a Colonial Cup series win over the USA Hawks, game 1 28-36 and game 2 28-34, which marked our first game win on American soil, our first series win on American soil and the first time we have retained this Cup. An unprecedented year; and all this without heritage players. This is just a note to help spread the word about the volunteer efforts of RL fans in Canada in growing our game. Please visit http://www.canadarugbyleague.com and follow us on Facebook & Twitter from there, we’d love to have your support.

Good day everyone. Not sure where to put this seeing as I’m new here, if there’s a better place then mods please move as appropriate. Been a Bradford Northern/Bulls fan since the 70’s, but have become involved in Rugby League in Canada since moving over here to Toronto. I just wanted to let people know firstly that Canada is playing rugby league, have gone from unranked to 13th in the world in the last 5 years and are hopefully going to qualify for our first RLWC in December. The Canada Wolverines just completed a Colonial Cup series win over the USA Hawks, game 1 28-36 and game 2 28-34, which marked our first game win on American soil, our first series win on American soil and the first time we have retained this Cup. An unprecedented year; and all this without heritage players. This is just a note to help spread the word about the volunteer efforts of RL fans in Canada in growing our game. Please visit http://www.canadarugbyleague.com and follow us on Facebook & Twitter from there, we’d love to have your support.

Re: New Member, Bradford lad in Canada : Thu Oct 22, 2015 9:55 am  

Welcome to the forum

It sounds like the National team are progressing well.

How is the domestic game coming along, are there still around 10 teams? There was a story over here a few months ago that they were looking at entering a Canadian team into our Championship divisions - any more on this?

Re: New Member, Bradford lad in Canada : Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:05 am  

Thanks for the welcome. The discussions for the Championship 1 bid are still ongoing to the best of my knowledge, however there was a restructuring over here earlier this month, http://www.rlef.eu.com/news/article/1147/canada-rugby-league-association-elects where a new national board was elected, with Provincial boards underneath that who are going through their election processes at the moment. Still 4 teams in Ontario and 7 in British Columbia, and hopefully another 2 in Alberta for 2016. We're steadily growing domestically, speaking for Ontario even at 4 teams this bit of stability is allowing for more sustainable growth of playing numbers.

Thanks for the welcome. The discussions for the Championship 1 bid are still ongoing to the best of my knowledge, however there was a restructuring over here earlier this month, http://www.rlef.eu.com/news/article/1147/canada-rugby-league-association-elects where a new national board was elected, with Provincial boards underneath that who are going through their election processes at the moment. Still 4 teams in Ontario and 7 in British Columbia, and hopefully another 2 in Alberta for 2016. We're steadily growing domestically, speaking for Ontario even at 4 teams this bit of stability is allowing for more sustainable growth of playing numbers.

Re: New Member, Bradford lad in Canada : Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:12 am  

CanaBull wrote: Thanks for the welcome. The discussions for the Championship 1 bid are still ongoing to the best of my knowledge, however there was a restructuring over here earlier this month, http://www.rlef.eu.com/news/article/1147/canada-rugby-league-association-elects where a new national board was elected, with Provincial boards underneath that who are going through their election processes at the moment. Still 4 teams in Ontario and 7 in British Columbia, and hopefully another 2 in Alberta for 2016. We're steadily growing domestically, speaking for Ontario even at 4 teams this bit of stability is allowing for more sustainable growth of playing numbers. First of all, a warm welcome to the forum Sounds really positive over there, good to hear that the "greatest game" is spreading its wings and good luck with your RL (or do they call it "footy" in Canada ?

CanaBull wrote: Thanks for the welcome. The discussions for the Championship 1 bid are still ongoing to the best of my knowledge, however there was a restructuring over here earlier this month, http://www.rlef.eu.com/news/article/1147/canada-rugby-league-association-elects where a new national board was elected, with Provincial boards underneath that who are going through their election processes at the moment. Still 4 teams in Ontario and 7 in British Columbia, and hopefully another 2 in Alberta for 2016. We're steadily growing domestically, speaking for Ontario even at 4 teams this bit of stability is allowing for more sustainable growth of playing numbers. First of all, a warm welcome to the forum Sounds really positive over there, good to hear that the "greatest game" is spreading its wings and good luck with your RL (or do they call it "footy" in Canada ?

Re: New Member, Bradford lad in Canada : Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:20 am  

Cheers!

Definitely nice to have some positivity after reading Steve Ferres' interview on the T&A! LOL

We're definitely heading in the right direction, a new board will give us some fresh motivation and ideas, and obviously we'll all be as happy as the proverbial dog with two wotsits should we qualify for RLWC 2017.

There's a fair few Aussies and Kiwis helping out here as well, so mostly it's footy! Better that though than confusing it with Rugby Union.

Re: New Member, Bradford lad in Canada : Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:26 am  

Good stuff.

Are the clubs over there Open Age only, or do they have junior sides too?

Re: New Member, Bradford lad in Canada : Thu Oct 22, 2015 10:37 am  

We’re looking at including under 18’s and women’s teams as well. Getting into the schools over here is no easy task and is something that’s been ongoing since RL resumed here in 2010. There have been a couple of tragic deaths at high school RU games so local school boards tend to be a bit skeptical when ‘another’ rugby is brought up, even if doesn’t contain the scrums.

As the game itself becomes more popular and more people see the differences it will come, it’s all a matter of education and relationship building.

We’ve had international crowds of approaching 8,000 so we know the interest is there.

Re: New Member, Bradford lad in Canada : Fri Oct 23, 2015 5:13 am  

Colonial Cup 2015 - Game 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQySzTGkxv0 Colonial Cup 2015 - Game 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZweKL6gVRA Canada Rugby League YouTube channel - Games from 2010-2014, featuring Colonial Cup vs USA, Caribbean Cup vs Jamaica, England Lionhearts, RAF Rugby League and more. https://www.youtube.com/user/canadarugbyleaguetv/featured Thanks for your support!

Colonial Cup 2015 - Game 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQySzTGkxv0 Colonial Cup 2015 - Game 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZweKL6gVRA Canada Rugby League YouTube channel - Games from 2010-2014, featuring Colonial Cup vs USA, Caribbean Cup vs Jamaica, England Lionhearts, RAF Rugby League and more. https://www.youtube.com/user/canadarugbyleaguetv/featured Thanks for your support!

Re: New Member, Bradford lad in Canada : Fri Oct 23, 2015 8:49 am  

CanaBull wrote:

We’re looking at including under 18’s and women’s teams as well. Getting into the schools over here is no easy task and is something that’s been ongoing since RL resumed here in 2010. There have been a couple of tragic deaths at high school RU games so local school boards tend to be a bit skeptical when ‘another’ rugby is brought up, even if doesn’t contain the scrums.

As the game itself becomes more popular and more people see the differences it will come, it’s all a matter of education and relationship building.

We’ve had international crowds of approaching 8,000 so we know the interest is there.

Welcome to the Forum.

8,000 crowds, that is mighty impressive. just think what could happen if it really could take off over there in the coming years. Keep up the good work and hopefully you get the backing your efforts deserve.

Re: New Member, Bradford lad in Canada : Tue Nov 03, 2015 5:20 am  

CRLA announce link up with Penrith Panthers NRL club Penrith Panthers have revealed a new link-up with the Canada Rugby League Association (CRLA), with its aim to help in the development of the next generation of Canadian players. One aspect of the progamme is for the Panthers to invite select Canadian players over to Sydney to train and use NRL facilities. The Canadian youngsters will also be given training and assistance from the St Mary’s Rugby League, who run sides in both the NSW Rugby League’s Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield competition. Penrith District Rugby League Manager Phil Cummings is delighted that the project is continuing to progress. “This programme (Canada Junior Wolverines Program) is in its third year and the first year for the Panthers NRL Club supporting Canada Rugby League," he said. "Phil Gould, executive general manager of the Panthers NRL club and Jim Jones (Panthers recruitment manager) have both offered their support behind the programme." CRLA President Paul O’Keefe is hoping that the project can give Canadian rugby league some real momentum. "The CRLA has made Junior Development one of our major priorities and it’s exciting news for all young athletes in Canada who want to play rugby league," he said. "This is the perfect time to start working with the Panthers, with their new academy facilities going to be top class when completed in 2016, as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary. "This will be an important asset as we work hard to be included in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Phil Gould and Jim Jones for their support on this programme. "St Marys Rugby League Club and Phil Cummings for his incredible efforts ensuring the growth of our development programme for over three years now!” There have been reports recently that the CRLA is aiming to have a local club playing in League 1 in the UK soon.

CRLA announce link up with Penrith Panthers NRL club Penrith Panthers have revealed a new link-up with the Canada Rugby League Association (CRLA), with its aim to help in the development of the next generation of Canadian players. One aspect of the progamme is for the Panthers to invite select Canadian players over to Sydney to train and use NRL facilities. The Canadian youngsters will also be given training and assistance from the St Mary’s Rugby League, who run sides in both the NSW Rugby League’s Ron Massey Cup and Sydney Shield competition. Penrith District Rugby League Manager Phil Cummings is delighted that the project is continuing to progress. “This programme (Canada Junior Wolverines Program) is in its third year and the first year for the Panthers NRL Club supporting Canada Rugby League," he said. "Phil Gould, executive general manager of the Panthers NRL club and Jim Jones (Panthers recruitment manager) have both offered their support behind the programme." CRLA President Paul O’Keefe is hoping that the project can give Canadian rugby league some real momentum. "The CRLA has made Junior Development one of our major priorities and it’s exciting news for all young athletes in Canada who want to play rugby league," he said. "This is the perfect time to start working with the Panthers, with their new academy facilities going to be top class when completed in 2016, as they celebrate their 50th Anniversary. "This will be an important asset as we work hard to be included in the 2017 Rugby League World Cup. "I would like to take this opportunity to thank Phil Gould and Jim Jones for their support on this programme. "St Marys Rugby League Club and Phil Cummings for his incredible efforts ensuring the growth of our development programme for over three years now!” There have been reports recently that the CRLA is aiming to have a local club playing in League 1 in the UK soon.