Boston 13's Q&A

Over the last year or so I have been watching a lot more Rugby League thanks to Fox Soccer Plus and have been very intrigued by the league scene here in America. Sadly there is virtually no League played on the west coast. Here states side we have two rugby leagues the AMNRL and USARL, AMNRL hold the governing rights to the National team to participate in world tournaments while the USARL is a relatively new league created from teams who wanted to have a more democratic system on how a league should be run and a different view on how to introduce the game of Rugby League through the USA.

One of the clubs who I have grown attached to, since no west coast teams are here! is the Boston 13’s. Robin Peers from Boston was nice enough to answer some questions about the 13’s, this coming season, status of USARL and , potential relationship with foreign clubs.

 

LLR- History of the Boston 13s :

RP- We were set up in 2009 by English/Lebanese Harvard graduate Mik Shammas. Mik did a great job setting things up and we owe him a great deal of gratitude for where we are now. Currently we are run by myself (Robin Peers) and Dustin Cooper.

 

LLR- expansion of the USARL and why now?

RP- The USARL are always looking to add new teams that are viable and add something to the competition. This year's additions I guess was off the back of 3 seasons of hard work, especially by the guys in the south east.

 

LLR- Are you guys happy with what clubs joined or where you guys wanting more?

RP- Obviously we would have liked to have added more teams within driving distance of Boston but that is tough due to our location. But we are happy more teams are on board and expect to see more and more join in the coming years.

LLR- Preparation the 13's have taken this off season for the 2014 USARL season?

RP- We decided that to have a successful 2014 we needed to work on the squad in 4 areas:

i) Retain our current players

ii) Re-recruit some former players (Especially from our 2012 Grand Final team)

iii) Recruit some new players

iv) Bring in 3-4 quality import players

All have gone well and we can't wait for the 2014 season to start!

 

LLR- What is this year’s playing location

RP- We are yet to announce our location for 2014 as we haven't signed off on it yet but if everything comes together we'll be playing at one of the best venues for rugby in the country.

 

LLR- how can people keep track of the 13's and get in contact for potential players interested

RP- We are very active on social media and our website is updated regularly (www.Boston13s.com). Anyone interested in playing can email us: info@Boston13s.com

 

LLR- status of USARL and RLIF sanction

RP- As far as I am aware the USARL have applied for RLIF membership and are awaiting a verdict on that. We believe we fill most of the criteria for membership.

LLR- will we see rugby league expand to the west coast?

RP- I certainly hope so! I am in contact with some passionate rugby league individuals on the west coast who are working hard behind the scenes to make it happen. I'm also engaged to a Californian girl and we might be looking to settle on the west coast eventually. If that happens I'll be doing all I can to develop rugby league over there.

 

LLR- Atlanta Rhinos and few of your fellow clubs have formed a relationship with League clubs around the world, is this something the 13's are looking at also doing?

RP- Yes we have talked with clubs but haven't made any arrangements just yet. Myself and Dustin Cooper have very good contacts across the world and we are going to wait for the right partnership to come up.

LLR- one last question, kind of long this year the USARL and its clubs started up the USA Pioneers, a developmental squad funded by the players to help develop skills of the players and spread the code of this year the USARL and its clubs started up the USA Pioneers, a developmental squad funded by the players to help develop skills of the players and spread the code of League overseas and here at home. This past month the Pioneers had a very successful trip to Jamaica and with Jamaican representatives stating that they hope in the near future to join the USARL. Would the USARL be open to that idea and if so how soon could we see a club from Jamaica or any other country join? And lastly when is the next Pioneers trip planed?

RP- I think there are a few hurdles to overcome in bringing a foreign team into the competition (Visa regulations for one) but I'm pretty sure the USARL will do all they can to help develop the sport across North America. There isn't a date set for the next Pioneers trip but the July 5th weekend and the end of the season strike me as opportune times to get the Pioneers on their travels again.

                                                    "Fidete Atque Nolite Timere"

 *for those interested in helping the 13’s with this coming season, similar to the membership system that NRL clubs have the 13’s have their own membership funding: www.gofundme.com/B13sInTwenty14

Twitter: @Boston13s
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Boston13s