Re: Robert Elstone : Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:09 pm  

Mrs Barista wrote:

My personal view is that the game needs greater representation at board level of white, 50+, Northern, self/own club-interested "RL man and boy" types to take the game forward for the digital generation. Launching the Andy Farrell funbin on Marine Way could be a right gimmick.

A sport that has a lucrative sponsorship deal with a mushy peas manufacturer is not to be underestimated.

Christ I've I've just realised. I'm 50+, Northern, have yet to embrace new technology and love mushy peas. I'm in that demographic

Bring back Eddie Waring, dogs running on the pitch "proper" scrums and Rugby League will be back on Grandstand in no time at all.

Re: Robert Elstone : Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:18 pm  

Mrs Barista wrote:

My personal view is that the game needs greater representation at board level of white, 50+, Northern, self/own club-interested "RL man and boy" types to take the game forward for the digital generation. Launching the Andy Farrell funbin on Marine Way could be a right gimmick.

Why white Mrs B?

Re: Robert Elstone : Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:19 pm  

Add a helicopter landing pad and now we're talking.

Re: Robert Elstone : Wed Feb 10, 2021 8:22 pm  

Plum Bob wrote:

Why white Mrs B?

Not that I would ever try and speak for La Cafe, but I'm pretty sure she's having a daft laugh and that.

Re: Robert Elstone : Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:07 pm  

Sandro II Terrorista wrote:

Add a helicopter landing pad and now we're talking.

In case of Peter Powell's arrival.

Re: Robert Elstone : Wed Feb 10, 2021 9:40 pm  

Plum Bob wrote:

Why white Mrs B?

I was being sarcastic. The sport is run by a group with very limited diversity however you define it- in a Venn diagram they would be very tightly clustered. This creates a few problems
1.They only really care about their own club's interests and vote purely on that basis. For example expansionism will never be supported because it threatens the top flight existence of half those with voting rights.
2. Limited and identikit perspectives compromise the ability to problem solve and innovate, and let's face it the sport is beset by challenges. Try Matthew Syed's Rebel Ideas book, some great storytelling with examples of the power of genuine thought and experience diversity in driving real change.
3.My perception is that the sport's fanbase is ageing and dwindling. Representation of wider audience opportunities - women, BAME, the younger generation - in decision making would be a good thing IMO.

Instead we will no doubt continue in ever decreasing circles led there by the likes of Hetherington, Lenegan, McManus, Davy, focusing on self preservation and preaching to the shrinking converted rather than defining a bigger vision that could save the sport. A bit melodramatic perhaps but I do think it's bonkers that this lot vote on the sport's future with such an overt conflict of interest.

Re: Robert Elstone : Wed Feb 10, 2021 10:00 pm  

Mrs Barista wrote:

I was being sarcastic. The sport is run by a group with very limited diversity however you define it- in a Venn diagram they would be very tightly clustered. This creates a few problems
1.They only really care about their own club's interests and vote purely on that basis. For example expansionism will never be supported because it threatens the top flight existence of half those with voting rights.
2. Limited and identikit perspectives compromise the ability to problem solve and innovate, and let's face it the sport is beset by challenges. Try Matthew Syed's Rebel Ideas book, some great storytelling with examples of the power of genuine thought and experience diversity in driving real change.
3.My perception is that the sport's fanbase is ageing and dwindling. Representation of wider audience opportunities - women, BAME, the younger generation - in decision making would be a good thing IMO.

Instead we will no doubt continue in ever decreasing circles led there by the likes of Hetherington, Lenegan, McManus, Davy, focusing on self preservation and preaching to the shrinking converted rather than defining a bigger vision that could save the sport. A bit melodramatic perhaps but I do think it's bonkers that this lot vote on the sport's future with such an overt conflict of interest.

Not quite sure your comments are clear cut. Lenegan most certainly requires the product to be at whatever. Regardless of the cost to others doesn’t matter scenario.Yet still leaves his daughter holding 25%.. It his club he’s entitled to do that.

Be glad to see the back of him.

Re: Robert Elstone : Thu Feb 11, 2021 8:37 am  

Elstone obviously not achieved what he set out to do and corvid didnt help but main reason is he was doing the job with his hands tied behind his back, Most club chairmen/owners are only interested in their own clubs and when they control all decisions you get nowhere. It needs one person (or small group preferably independent of clubs) to control the sport making all decisions for the good of the game in general. The reason the matchroom mob did not get involved was that they saw what a mess the sport is in and was not willing to give up control. I am surprised at Elstone taking the job in the first place as he had a very good knowledge of things RL. Perhaps he was conned into thinking they would allow him to take full control.

Re: Robert Elstone : Thu Feb 11, 2021 8:59 am  

Mrs Barista wrote:

I was being sarcastic. The sport is run by a group with very limited diversity however you define it- in a Venn diagram they would be very tightly clustered. This creates a few problems
1.They only really care about their own club's interests and vote purely on that basis. For example expansionism will never be supported because it threatens the top flight existence of half those with voting rights.
2. Limited and identikit perspectives compromise the ability to problem solve and innovate, and let's face it the sport is beset by challenges. Try Matthew Syed's Rebel Ideas book, some great storytelling with examples of the power of genuine thought and experience diversity in driving real change.
3.My perception is that the sport's fanbase is ageing and dwindling. Representation of wider audience opportunities - women, BAME, the younger generation - in decision making would be a good thing IMO.

Instead we will no doubt continue in ever decreasing circles led there by the likes of Hetherington, Lenegan, McManus, Davy, focusing on self preservation and preaching to the shrinking converted rather than defining a bigger vision that could save the sport. A bit melodramatic perhaps but I do think it's bonkers that this lot vote on the sport's future with such an overt conflict of interest.

Well I think that is a good angle on it all. However, I would add that its not just clubs operating in self interest but also that there is a problem with a couple of owners wanting a return to the position where they were the top dogs and in effect ran the game. But yes, We are spiraling down as a game on the back of self interest. Some of us steeped in our love of Rugby league can't see it I know, but if you step back and ask what your sports loving none RL fan mates think about the game in general its a real eye opener. Several I know still talk of cloth caps and whippets, which is so untrue but a perceived image our game still perpetuate with possible converts and with what we have to offer in quality excitement and endeavour compared with other sports that's tragic.

Its only my opinion but we are not diverse enough in our outlook at all. The Super League 'break away' structure was an opportunity to reignite the game re-engage with lapsed fans and spread our wings into more diverse market places, it was almost a new dawn. but we didn't grasp it and a receipe of the new leader having one hand tied behind his back from the off when he thought he would be given a fee hand, a deal of in fighting amongst the different Clubs, a pandemic that has changed the face of sport perhaps forever and a couple of owners who never wanted it to work for reasons of self interest and mis placed ambition has seen it fail and the game is now in disarray.


As I said earlier watch now for an amalgamation back to the old ways whereby the RFL run everything again and can once more be influenced by a few individuals who think they are running the sport. That hasn't worked well in the past and is not in the games interest either. Its all a real mess for me. But that's just how this old campaigner sees it, I love our sport because its a great one and I just want other people outside our tight and diminishing community to appreciate that as well.

Re: Robert Elstone : Thu Feb 11, 2021 3:23 pm  

paperboy wrote:

Elstone obviously not achieved what he set out to do and corvid didnt help but main reason is he was doing the job with his hands tied behind his back, Most club chairmen/owners are only interested in their own clubs and when they control all decisions you get nowhere. It needs one person (or small group preferably independent of clubs) to control the sport making all decisions for the good of the game in general. The reason the matchroom mob did not get involved was that they saw what a mess the sport is in and was not willing to give up control. I am surprised at Elstone taking the job in the first place as he had a very good knowledge of things RL. Perhaps he was conned into thinking they would allow him to take full control.

a six figure salary plus the expenses that go with it probably had something to do with it