London youth, and the future of RL : Tue Mar 20, 2018 6:17 pm  

Over 100 year 7 and 9 girls were out playing rugby league 9s this afternoon, and actually to a pretty good standard, if any of them will continue to play, or take an interest in following the game I don’t know, but let’s see
I spent an afternoon stealing a wage off the RFL in dogs words but have to say a cracking way to spend a Tues afternoon.
Get the kids interested early on, it will pay off in the future.

Thanks to all involved.

Re: London youth, and the future of RL : Tue Mar 20, 2018 6:49 pm  

Good stuff. Out of interest where did this take place ? Where is / are the local community club/clubs running these age groups ? Did the kids get signposted to these community clubs ?

Re: London youth, and the future of RL : Tue Mar 20, 2018 7:09 pm  

It was national schools, played at St Mary’s uni.
Signposting, don’t know, sorry

Re: London youth, and the future of RL : Tue Mar 20, 2018 7:25 pm  

Not trying to put a negative to this positive, but ..... year on year on year the Champion Schools Regional rounds, ie London and South, is played at all year groups, some 'rugby league' schools, mostly non rugby league schools, and I wager not 10% of the players involved play at their 'local' community club (ie no rugby league interest beyond the odd 60mins at school) and of that 10%, I'd be amazed if more than a handful go to the Broncos - you only need to look at the match day demographic to suss that out.

I have said it too many times but the Broncos would be best served setting up or at the very least supporting a summer based Community Club based at Trailfinders, Ealing Eagles or whatever, all age groups in the London Junior League. Play some of the games on LB match days ideally. Create the interest by starting their involvement young.

Re: London youth, and the future of RL : Tue Mar 20, 2018 8:16 pm  

Depends on the school! Lots of faces that play in national schools teams appear in LJL teams. Promise you much more than 10%.
All the ball boys on match days are current academy kids, they all came through LJL and local schools.
They are involved

Re: London youth, and the future of RL : Tue Mar 20, 2018 8:20 pm  

The main problem with the national schools comp is actually caused by the RFL structure of the comp sadly it does nothing to help the teachers who put the time in. But they do what they can.
The comp has a place and it has introduced kids to the sport who might never have tried it.

Re: London youth, and the future of RL : Tue Mar 20, 2018 8:28 pm  

northernbloke wrote:

I spent an afternoon stealing a wage off the RFL in dogs words

Well done you......kids chucking a ball about is key to our game growing, but you referencing my comments regarding your bigotry towards another sport had no place in this thread.........but hey ho.....you do like a platform for your agenda!
Did these kids know it was League they were playing or was it just "egg chasing"....or god forbid Rugby Lessons..........time for a name change methinx

Re: London youth, and the future of RL : Tue Mar 20, 2018 8:50 pm  

You suggesting not to bother then dog?
Or just trying to start an arguement?

Over 2 days IRO 200 kids playing rugby league has to be a good thing for the sport, not even you can deny that. It was Rugby League played under RL rules, promoted by and supported by very enthusiastic folk in all those schools.

Re: London youth, and the future of RL : Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:17 pm  

northernbloke wrote:

You suggesting not to bother then dog?
Or just trying to start an arguement?

Over 2 days IRO 200 kids playing rugby league has to be a good thing for the sport, not even you can deny that. It was
Rugby League played under RL rules, promoted by and supported by very enthusiastic folk in all those schools.

1. You brought your bigotry from another thread......I was happy to leave it there but YOU dragged it here.
2. Do this kids know it's league and not union they are playing.......genuine question, because these kids would have know Ireland were playing england at the weekend....unlike you!
3. I would never suggest not bothering......but being tarred with your "us'n'them" brush isn't a good thing is it.........

Re: London youth, and the future of RL : Tue Mar 20, 2018 10:43 pm  

Yep whatever dog.
Even kids playing in a league competition know it’s league.
By the way without the kids chucking the ball about, there is no junior league.
Without the junior leagues there are no kids to feed the amateur open age clubs.
Without the amateur clubs there are no pro teams.
Without the pro teams there are no national comps
In any sport.