Change is coming, slowly but it is coming. over the last few years the health of rugby League in the USA has been on a decline and then for the most part a sudden blow up. currently there is still only 1 Governing body but now four competitions. Two out west and two out east, its hard to know exactly what is happening and who has the right formula to move the game forward. Over the course of time my plan is to speak with all parties involved to help shed light on where the code of League is going in America. Thus far the Pacific Coast Rugby League has been the only party willing to answer, others have been reached out to such as the USARL , Championship Rugby League and Rugby League United. Championship has responded but still waiting for answers from that organization and when they come in they will be posted soon as possible. I appreciate Ady from PCRL for responding to some questions I hope helps everyone learn a little bit more on they're development and how they are helping to grow the game and improve the National teams, all while unifing players from all backgrounds through Rugby regardless of union or league.
A- We have made great progress over the past 12 months. Our original plan was to play a one off game between Los Angeles Mongrel and San Diego Barracudas, however, we had other teams reach out to us with interest of joining our league. We currently have 4 teams with the Los Angeles Bandidos and Santa Rosa Dead Pelicans joining the fold. We expect to announce additional teams in the coming weeks.
LLR- Do any of the teams involved have their own website or social media accounts?
A- Yes, see below:
LA Mongrel Insta @la_mongrel
Twitter @la_mongrel
FB /lamongrel
Web www.lamongrel.com
SD Barracudas Insta @sd_barracudas
Twitter @SD_Barracudas
FB /SDbarracudas
Web www.sdbarracudas.com
LA Bandidos Insta @bandidos_rl
Twitter @lBandidosRL
FB (Search Bandidos Rugby League)
Web www.bandidosrugbyleague.com
Dead Pelicans Insta @deadrugby
Twitter @DeadRugby
FB /DeadPelicanRugby
Web www.lamongrel.com
PCRL Insta @pacificcoastrl
Twitter @pacificcoastrl
FB /pacificcoastrl
Web www.pacificcoastrl.com
LLR- How can potential players in the various teams markets get in touch if they would like to play ?
A- There is a signup form on the Pacific Coast Rugby League website https://www.pacificcoastrl.com/contact
LLR- Is there any financial assistance for the teams who have to travel outside their home towns to matches, and if so in what form?
A- Our model is based around teams being self-sufficient, we provide support to teams in numerous different ways including assistance with sponsorship, formulation of teams including but not limited to creation of their constitution, bylaws, code of conduct, 501(c)(3) applications etc. We have been very clear that the league is self-funded and that teams cannot be reliant on the league to cover the individual team expenses. We have seen that when sponsorship is pulled at league level it has an immediate impact to clubs. We encourage all teams to work with their local business partners to help grow locally and organically.
In addition we recognize the travel implications for all teams so will be looking to host multiple games at one venue to limit the expense and travel commitments.
If the league secures a long term significant sponsor, then we will review this policy accordingly.
LLR- Where can fans find rosters for each of the teams?
A- Rosters will be posted by individual clubs through a combination of their websites and social media channels. All players will also need to register with USARL under our league rules.
LLR- On the union side of things players have to register with the Governing Body, are players with the PCRL having to do something similar with yourselves or USARL?
A- Players are required to register directly with USARL, currently we do not charge players or teams to participate in our competition.
LLR- Can you provide insight as to what is happening with the national governing body, are players from the PCRL eligible for the men's and women's National sides?
A- PCRL was sanctioned as an official competition under the NGB and all players who play in our competion who must register with USARL are eligible for selection as long as they meet the criteria for the national team, (and are good enough) the fee is nominal in comparison to the fees paid to USA Rugby Union. The IRL is working with USARL on governance and a new board is due to be voted in for 2024. Teams registered as full members with USARL will hold voting rights and be eligible to sit for positions on the board.
LLR- How has the Pacific Coast Rugby League been received here in America and internationally?
A- We have had some great feedback from the rugby league community as a whole, our decision to be transparent certainly helps given the complexities and politics in Rugby League in America. We continue to offer our monthly town hall and hold bi-weekly meetings between member teams. We continue to promote the sport across all social media channels and have support throughout Europe and Australasia as well as here in America
LLR- How is the relationship between the League clubs and local union teams, do you think it's a recipe that can be replicated for other markets in the USA?
A- We have had great success working with local Union teams, this was highlighted in what we believe was a first here in America where both league and union games were combined in a single day event. You may recall we worked with San Diego Legion to host two union games for their development and youth teams against Belmont Shore, sandwiched in between a women’s introduction to rugby league clinic and the league game between Mongrel and Barracudas. Furthermore LA Mongrel have close links to Eagle Rock Rugby Union and the Bandidos close ties to Belmont Shore. The Dead Pelicans go one step further and play both codes under the one name.
LLR- What more can fans expect going forward this year?
A- We have a number of ongoing projects including a men’s game between the Bandidos and Dead Pelican and a dedicated SOCAL v NORCAL women’s game which will be the lead into our season which is slated to run June through August with all of our games being recorded and then posted to YouTube. Further events will be announced in due course, but per our policy, will not release details until everything is in place.
LLR- Are there discussions for plans on next year, can you share a bit what those might be?
A- We hope to build on 2023 and continue with our expansion plans. It is important to build clusters of teams throughout the western region to limit travel and accommodation expenses for teams, we will bring them together for dedicated events as well as end of season playoffs. All interested teams should register at: https://www.pacificcoastrl.com/contact
LLR- Last one, if there players from Rugby Union who maybe on the fence or have been told not to play League. What would you like to say to them on why they should at least give it a try, and same for those from other sports.
A- We are firm advocates that players should play both codes, our season structure will compliment the Union season and we do not want to clash with their schedule. We believe there are benefits for all players learning a new style of rugby and maintaining fitness and keeping skills sharp instead of taking long breaks between seasons. Many of the lessons learned in rugby league translate over to Union and vice versa, you see many former professional and international level league players coaching at the highest levels of the Union game. Similarly, we are keen to see crossover athletes try our sport, many have the dream of say making the NFL after college and completely stop all sports, we know once they try playing rugby league that they will be hooked. We do not want to limit this to football players and welcome athletes from any background to try rugby league.
I hope this has been helpful in some form and I implore anyone interested in playing to reach out to any of the current club teams and the PCRL as well.
#RugbyforALL
#RugbyLeague
