Page 65 - Rugby League World (February 2020)

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HOME GROWN IS BEST

When are English clubs going to stop Zac Lomax, who was signed recently by
buying players from the NRL who are St George Illawarra Dragons for 3 million
past their prime or never really made dollars for 6 years at 20 years of age. Zac
it? In a recent RLW, seven members is one of 25 schoolboys to go from the
of the Team of the Month were from local Schoolboys Club to play in the NRL
the Southern Hemisphere and most in the top grade.
of them are only considered second Currently we have three others
stringers. England has better local playing, Ben Hampton (Cowboys), Liam
players but are letting most of these Martin (Penrith) and Joe Stimson has just
to join the NRL. moved from the Storm to the Canterbury
Also, Super League, and Rugby League Bulldogs. As well we have Josh McCrone
in general, need to stay with one referee at Toronto in Super League while Ryan
as the majority of supporters in Australia Hinchclife retired at Huddersield.
would like the NRL to return to a single Former international, Trent Barrett,
whistle blower as the game is being over is our best known product. Temora,
governed and is becoming boring. Our which is in the Riverina area of NSW and AROUND
game is RUGBY LEAGUE not “ho hum” midway between Sydney and Melbourne,
rugby. No wonder our game struggles for has a population of only 5,000 people THE WORLD
recognition when our own people refer to and is a proud Rugby League nursery.
it as rugby.
The photo is of local Temora junior, Brian Hughes, Temora NSW

THE RED ZONE FAMILY GAME

The news that Red Star Belgrade are Watching Leeds Rhinos take on
looking to apply for a place in League Bradford Bulls in front of a capacity
1 at some point in the future is both crowd at Headingley in January
exciting and also concerning. was like a glimpse back into the not
The grassroots development of Rugby too distant past when these two old
League in Serbia is one of the big success rivals would regularly slug it out in
stories in recent years, but thought has to be Super League.
given to the domestic clubs in League 1 who It was a fantastic occasion, but
are now regularly being used as ‘guinea pigs’ tinged with such sadness that instead
for these overseas expansion opportunities. of battling for league points, they
First, Toronto, then sometime soon, were battling together to raise funds
Ottawa, then perhaps New York followed to support Rob Burrow a er his Motor
by Belgrade. I’m sure it all looks perfect on Neurone Disease diagnosis. It’s at
paper, but in reality it places quite a burden times like these, when our sport comes
on small part-time clubs, many of them in together to rally round and protect
expansion areas of their own like Newcastle, its own in times of crisis, that we are Ÿ What is more evangelistic than taking
Coventry, London and West Wales to reminded that despite all our difering a copy of Rugby League World on an
undertake the overseas trips necessary with club allegiances, we are part of one incredibly hot day, dressed in Fev kit, to
players who also have to hold down jobs big family. It’s not o en you can say a the most fanatical soccer ground in the
in the real world to survive. It worries me game of any sport is truly inspiring to world – Boca Juniors – on Christmas
that League 1 is just seen as a temporary watch, but this one deinitely was, and Eve! I spent Christmas here with the
stepping stone for new clubs with greater thanks to all those at Sky TV involved Argentinian branch of my family and
resources, trampling over the aspirations of with the broadcast too, who I believe had a wonderful time but nevertheless
those clubs whose development plans are worked for free to ensure it would be longing for the 2020 season to start. I
spread over a longer term. shown. hate the off-season!

Michael Denton, Kendal Ian Tennyson, Prestwich Chris Heinitz

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