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I recently read an article on Rugbymag.com regarding the future of the Rugby Super League in the United States. To informed Rugby fans, the loss of teams like Belmont Shore and Co. has raised questions about the development of US Rugby’s top line championship.
Whatever the outcome, the main issue is the identification of talent for the Eagles.
Any retraction could be possibly fatal to the ever improving Eagles, as they strive to improve their overall playing standard and competitiveness leading into a World Cup year.
The author of the article suggests the opening up of the RSL: introducing a number of new conferences to include much of the RSL and Division 1 Championship teams.
This, I believe, would be fool-hearted considering two of the nation’s strongest clubs have voluntarily dropped out of the RSL due to the financial pressure created by competing in the league.
The simple fact of the matter is that these clubs individually would not be able to sustain the finances necessary to remain competitive in such an open championship and could lead to the possible collapse of the RSL altogether.
However, amongst the angst created by these withdrawals, there is a glaring opportunity on the horizon. Some time ago, I posted an article regarding the consolidation and amalgamation of the current RSL teams.
The whole idea is the adoption of a streamlined Championship based along the one team, one city principle.
Some may say this is a retraction, but how can creating a potentially stronger competition be a retraction?
Instead of NYAC and Old Blue or the Chicago Lions and Griffins there would simply be New York Athletic and the Chicago Lions. The same could be said for Boston Rugby Club and the Irish Wolfhounds.
It could be the Boston Irish.
I’m not suggesting the death of any of the current teams – they would still exist as separate entities, competing as usual in their respective local leagues. But at the highest level, the combination of resources and talent would lead to a far stronger Championship.
Instead of sixteen teams in two conferences, the re-named RSL, to be known as the Rugby Football League (RFL), would consist of ten teams playing a home and away season.
Forming increasingly professional organisations would be to the direct benefit of American rugby. I would note that the Championship does not necessarily need to be professional. But it will give these teams the ability to draw in higher numbers of supporters and sponsorship, as well as increase the facilities and resources, like gaining access to better grounds capable of supporting future growth.
Considering that US Rugby are looking to establish an elite tier of College Rugby in the near future, and recent developments of BBC America broadcasting the 6 Nations into the States, as well as Fox moving to purchase the assets of Setanta USA, including their content, not to mention the momentum created by 7s inclusion in the Olympics, the time has come for a re-structuring of American rugby.
The RSL served a purpose, but that purpose has since passed. The RFL is the right step in the right direction.
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.