Well where to begin. I'm just going to dive right in with my thoughts and opinions on the NARL and what's transpired so far and my current thoughts.
Do I wish and hope that the league does get going does succeed yes absolutely. Do I also think that there is a place for a professional rugby league league here, yes.
But has the NARL done anything to make me believe that they are the ones to do it, no. From the very beginning the announcement was rushed and very bullish.. To start a new league in the middle of a pandemic let alone with teams stretched across this country was slim to none to mske anyone think it was believable. The announcement came out of know where, there was no combine, no out reach to the local communities in each of the markets and also there is barely even a League player pool to choose from. I can say for a fact that being in Oregon and at the time trying to start our own rugby league competition here , I did reach out to the so called Portland team. I got a response to an email welcoming me and agreeing to a phone call so we could try and build a relationship. The day of the phone call was supposed to happen I realized I never got a phone number to actually call. When I asked again what number should I dial I was met with nothing. To this day I never ever have received anything. Now side note I did have to step away from getting Oregon Rugby League happening due to my family growing and work taking up time. Also I would like to toss out there is anyone wants to try and get League going in Oregon it is doable and there are Union players who want to play. There was enough who showed up in Salem to start a team and potential enough players out there to start 3 or 4 of them.
As of right now, 5/2/2022 there is no website. No way of purchasing tickets or information on home stadiums. Inactive on social media's. A few individual clubs have shown activity but other then a recent combine by a few nothing concrete. The NARL or its clubs have given me much to want to support the league or throw much support behind them.
I would like to see the NARL and its members just admit that 2022 will not happen and to regroup and focus on 2023. Give every team a chance to hold combines, nail down home venues and vendors. Establish a legitimate front office staff. Go to rugby union clubs and offer the players a chance to come out, hit up the MLR player pool and those who aren't selected in the player draft let them know they too have a chance on making one of their teams. Union and League can work together here in North America, there are great examples of such relationships right now. Those who say no and it's one way or the other are those who want a closed system and of closed minded. That statement goes for both union and league people.
Games need to be made available and easy to watch. As great as a tool that Facebook live is, it also comes off as tacky and not professional. YouTube is a good step but maybe strive for something more. ESPN + although maybe behind a pay wall is the most legitimate cheap way of getting your product out and seen. But I will say why not approach the folks at The Rugby Network? Yes I know it's all union but they also are in need of more content for the app and if the NARL can show that they can provide more subscribers and potential paying customers then I'm sure TRN will be willing to listen. I would like to see at least the "game of the week" broadcasted there.
But this all means nothing if the NARL falls flat yet again. Still no form for American based fans to buy tickets, no news of a 6th team, no true broadcaster. The leaks of people saying be patient news is coming means nothing to the majority of potential fans the league is losing out on with every day that goes by. The teams may get those 10 or so hard-core fans to show up but the league will fail with a cheap looking game put together.
Update- we are here at the start of the competition yet, there is no tickets available to buy. DC team is the only one who played a preseason match. they told us all that the match will be live streamed but day of the match there was nothing. even now there still isnt any footage, the game was against a rugby union team. still no 6th team. i and everyone else would just love to see the whole group come out and just say this year is not happening. they fell behind the 8 ball and this is just not going to happen. i would like to see the NARL do all teams a favor and put together a test season by having the teams play against other league teams from California competition and BC league along with the remaining Northern division from the USARL. get these players a chance to play and newer players a chance to still learn the code, but oh well who am i?
2nd update of today 5/20. Now the NARL is stating that there will be a preseason match on June 4th between Atlanta and DC. 24hrs before the first game of the season and the league has now decided to change the start. But up till now it has been radio silence for weeks!
