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On the 16th June, 2014, over 7,000 people ventured into Toronto’s Lamport Stadium Canada to witness Canada’s national rugby league team, the Wolverines, defeat the USA Tomahawks 52-14.
History was being made. Despite similar sized crowds turning up for the last five years and the odd round robin victory, the Canadians had yet to defeat the Americans when it mattered. This year, though, the Wolverines overcame the Tomahawks and won their first ever Colonial Cup.
Just a word on crowds. This year’s annual Caribbean Carnival Cup clash with Jamaica attracted over 3,000 fans. The nation’s 2014 international campaign also included matches against the Royal Air Force and the England Lionhearts. Both matches drew over 4,500 spectators.
It is an amazing thing that Canada, an absolute minnow in the world of rugby league, can regularly attract so many to their international games. Consider that Super League crowds are often hovering around 7,000 and that sub-10,000 crowds are not an uncommon sight in the NRL.
But I digress. This isn’t about what is wrong with the professional leagues. This is about what is right with Canada.
With the rebirthing of the Canada Rugby League (CRL) in 2010, the code has been busy – and proactive.
2013 premiers, the Toronto City Saints, formed a partnership with UK professional club St. Helens. In another visionary move, the CRL also offered international season tickets during 2014 encompassing the four matches played by the Wolverines.
They have a slew of small scale sponsorships and an internet amateur rugby league show entitled, not surprisingly, The Rugby League Show.
While only a bit player in the greater rugby league scheme of things, the Canadians have shown a propensity for professionalism. The guys involved clearly love what they are doing.
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