Ever wanted to pen a letter to a sports administrator of your choice? Here is the first part of my series of letters to the NRL CEO David Smith. This letter focusses on the Indigenous All Stars clash.
Dear Dave Smith,
Davo mate, what have you gotten yourself into? And by that I mean, welcome to the wonderful world of rugby league – a magical land of fanatics complaining vociferously about dodgy refs, dodgy draws and dodgy future planning.
Now if you’re not exactly sure, your job is to shut us up.
To help you on your quest, I’m going to make things easier by going over each issue so you only have to deal with just one fanatic – me.
First things first, the NRL All Stars match.
My tip to you: ignore the whingers who want to wield the axe. They still think adding a Canberra team was too revolutionary. The All Stars is a sold concept. Basically, you hold an annual Indigenous match against strong opposition while engaging fans through the selection process. This is a win-win in my book.
But can it be improved? Well, look at the opposition. If you want to build the All Stars match into an Origin-style event then both sides need something to play for.
I’ve heard the argument “it’s a privilege to be selected as an NRL All Star…”.
Sure, but think of it this way – would a single player care if they could no longer be an NRL All Star?
At the end of the day there’s just far more meaning for those players when they pull on a state or national jersey. The All Stars is just another notch on their belt.
But compare that to the Indigenous side. Their selection is important to the very fabric of their soul. That’s the difference between the two teams and the passion involved.
My opinion is that the match should be played annually between the Indigenous All Stars and the Islander All Stars. These two groups represent the largest minority player backgrounds in the league and you would have an opposition team of players whose selection is just as sacred.
To players of Polynesian and Melanesian background, this could be the substitute for the big game experience that they’ve been lacking while sitting on the sideline during State of Origin.
When they take these skills back to their individual Test nations then the international game also benefits.
But I’d even go one step further. I understand the connection to February but the game is tossed into the end of the cricket window amid a poorly mapped out pre-season. If you’re going to have two Origin style teams playing in a big game, then play it where that experience benefits the international squads and maximises audience interest.
The All Stars match should be played on the Friday immediately before the Sunday of the NRL grand final. With the match building up over the four-week finals period, it means there’s an increased rugby league coverage during the September news cycle.
That exposure is good for the game. Coming off the preliminary finals the TV audience would be around the same mark nationally leading into the grand final.
Voting would begin during a Close The Gap/Indigenous/NAIDOC style round during the latter half of the season.
Rep camps would start first week of the finals so players would be promoting the match and working in their communities. Other players would then enter the camp as soon as they’re eliminated from the NRL finals.
The game would be hosted outside of Sydney – potentially places like Perth, Melbourne, Canberra, Newcastle, Gold Coast, Brisbane, Townsville, Auckland and Wellington, ideally regions with suitable stadia that have a strong link to Indigenous and/or Islander people.
At that time of year places like Townsville are better positioned to host than they are during the February wet season.
Finally the jerseys: predominantly Red for the Indigenous side representing the land and Blue for the Islanders representing the ocean, both integrated with artistic cultural imagery.
That’s not all, Dave. The next letter focuses on how to fix the pre-season.
code 13
Roar Guru
Yes. There would still be a pool of 14 teams to draw from (obviously more if the league expands). I would suggest a formula of 1 Indigenous & 1 Islander player per club to be nominated, that leaving the next best 3 players to be picked from overall ranking. Under that format only 4 players would miss out from the Grand Finalists but think of it this way - given that a grand final for most players is a once in a lifetime experience, you're unlikely to hear them complain... As for possible numbers, approximately 11-12% of NRL players are of Indigenous background and around 30% may qualify for the Islanders (depending on what rules are employed). For comparison's sake that's on par with the % available for the Kiwis side and that Kiwis side in the past has beaten the Kangaroos, so the talent is there in both these sides for a long term series of classic matches.
code 13
Roar Guru
Well the next part is going to be about the pre-season but something like that wouldn't be out of the question.
code 13
Roar Guru
Martyn you're spot on about scrapping the All Stars being a PR disaster. If anything, the NRL needs to be increasing its profile and legitimacy, hence why I've recommend these positive changes in the article.
code 13
Roar Guru
There is indeed, but I do have renewed confidence that things will be shaken up given the marketing backgrounds of several new leaders in the game. These are people who understand what it takes to sell a sport and availability is a major component. They'll need a little bit of time to get the ball rolling but it's headed down the right path.
code 13
Roar Guru
Very good post and I agree with everything. The more inclusive the rugby league is, the better its future will become.
code 13
Roar Guru
At the very least I believe a one-off trial would be in order even if it at first it's played as a second game in the same year. In my opinion I would love to see an Indigenous vs Islanders game hosted in Townsville before the GF either in 2014 or 2015. It would only take that one game for people to more clearly see the benefits.
code 13
Roar Guru
I'm from Australia but I have lived in some of those places for extensive periods of times actually involved in grassroots Rugby League development at school level. If players from PNG were involved in an All Stars match, I can assure the country would go through the roof. It would become their NRL professional version of State of Origin.
code 13
Roar Guru
Honestly, the NRL Media Unit has been somewhat remiss when it comes to controlling the news cycle. When it comes to September, even last year, there are days when no major RL news was reported. In the middle finals season, that just comes down to poor control. You may see it as the finals "swamping" the All Stars but by having 2 story threads - Finals & All Stars - speaking from my own media experience, you're actually going to see more Rugby League coverage overall and come All Stars Friday, all the attention will be on that game. Do not be surprised if it out rates the Preliminary Finals.
code 13
Roar Guru
I don't think there's going to be that NSW vs QLD hate but if you take two groups - Indigenous & Islanders - both of whom are extremely proud of their heritage, then you're almost guaranteed in future to see a greater spectacle.
code 13
Roar Guru
I actually agree with your concerns about the impact on players for the upcoming season and the number of players pulling out due to injury, hence why I suggest a post-season timing, but I feel its important to maintain an Indigenous rugby league side that plays on a regular schedule. I disagree with those who would see it scrapped. I see further down below that you withdrew your opposition upon realising that the AFL has a similar format. In my opinion the NRL version is actually the better format of the two but in both cases the game is there to encourage participation and strengthen community ties. By adding an Islanders side to the format we can do the same thing with that community as well, something the AFL is unlikely to be able to do any time soon. Rather than following the NRL could actually be a leader on this front.
gaz
Guest
Could have 9s in Feb and All Stars in Oct
gaz
Guest
If it test spots were on the line I can see it working. So would you just leave out the grand finalists like in the NFL?
Moz
Guest
I would much a prefer an international nines tournament kicking off the year. This could include an indigenous all stars team as well 15 international teams.
Billo
Guest
I would love to see the NRL abandon this game, so that rugby could take it over. It would be a tremendous opening to the rugby season, and it wouldn't have the carping from rugby fans that seems to characteristic of the leaguies, who couldn't recognise a great concept if it bit them on the backside. So my message to David Smith is listen to the league fans who want to drop the game, and give it to rugby, who would love to have it. I'd love to see players like Israel Folau and Quade Cooper gracing an All Stars indigenous rugby game.
Daniel Szabo
Roar Guru
"Noone invites their mates around to watch this game or City v Country". Is that why I have 3 mates who are all having separate BBQs this Saturday for the All Stars game. Maybe no one invited you round to watch it.... The All Stars game may only be an exhibition match. There will never be the same level of hate between the Aboriginal and NRL All Stars, as there is between NSW and QLD. Nor should there be. This is an advertisement for our game, and imo, a great way to begin the season.
oikee
Guest
Spot on Martyn. Yet you dont hear a peep out of the AFL fans or anyone else for that matter talking about their indigenous game. Rugby league fans and the game itself has a unique opportunity to work with our indigenous because our history is so intrenched with indigenous players. No sport has more indigenous who have played for their country, even the first captain. We embraced the cultural aspects earlier than any other code. Not saying we did not have problems. Lets not forget we also have our Koori and Murri and other Indigenous comps that include Maori and islanders as well. Sometimes you even wonder if anyone is reading this stuff. Look the Indigenous knockouts are on NITV now, this week . Open your eyes, put your biase away and start to support this great game. We are kicking goals on a worldstage, time we all got behind this league. http://www.qrl.com.au/default.aspx?s=article-display&id=64757
Ronald M
Guest
Martyn, That is the best arguement I have ever seen as to why this game should stay. I was unaware of the AFL equivalent. I still don't like its positioning or what it does to the domestic comp and I certainly don't like the silly voting system they use but on the basis of a counter against AFL then I withdraw my opposition to it. Well said mate.
Martyn
Guest
Have any of you commentators actually been to the match and seen what it means to the legions of indigenous supporters who trek there from all parts of NSW & Qld. They love it and the matches before hand with the women and the young boys. It is incredibly important to them. Rugby League is a religion in many indigenous communities and it's so important to nurture that level of support. During the week beforehand the indigenous players spend a heap of time in communities along the coast. That's important and hard to organise during the season. This match brings together a host of talent in the NRL to kick start the season and it certainly beats any trial match. I really enjoy them. The NRL are at war with the AFL and it is no coincidence that on the same weekend that the All Stars match is played in Qld the AFL have the Richmond Tigers are playing an AFL indigenous team in Alice Springs. Scrap the All Stars match and run the risk of driving more indigenous kids to AFL. It will be interpreted as a real slight in indigenous communities and that would be a PR disaster. If you don't like it then don't watch it but think through the importance of the match before calling for it to be scrapped.
oikee
Guest
Nicely said Mushi. Hey code13, when you send that letter, will you also send this as well. We all might end up in NZ, even they seem to get better looked after than we do. UK Super League World Club Challenge to Screen Live on Maori Television Rugby league’s World Club Challenge will screen LIVE on Maori Television at 9.00am on Saturday, February 23. The clash between England’s Super League champions Leeds Rhinos and the 2012 NRL Grand Final winners Melbourne Storm will take place at Headingley Carnegie Stadium in Leeds. It will be the sixth time Leeds has appeared in a World Challenge game. The match will be repeated on Maori Television at 6.00pm on February 24 and on the Te Reo Channel at 8.30pm on Tuesday, February 26. Maori Television is New Zealand’s exclusive broadcaster of the UK Super League. From now until October the station will screen delayed coverage of two UK SUPER LEAGE games per week from each round of the competition. The first game screens on Sundays from 3.30pm, starting February 17 and the second match screens on Monday from 10.30pm, starting February 18. One game per week will be repeated on the Te Reo channel in RIIKI UK on Tuesdays at 8.30pm, starting February 19. These games will have commentary in Maori. The Carnegie Challenge Cup Final and the Super League Final will screen live on Maori Television later in the season. Mind you the Al-stars game is being shown all around oz and also into our overseas networks. About time. Like every other code in the world, our code should be televised as well. How we going to grow a product if you dont show the product. Storm are a classic example of a team hoarded for over a decade. Is there such a thing as code racism. ? :)
mushi
Roar Guru
So celebrating indigenous culture is fine as long as there is no hype or marketing surrounding it? Heaven forbid we actually try and get people to join in the celebration of indigenous culture and remove our red necks from our rings for two halves of football. Is it not a more worthy pursuit if they need to generate interest, it means that rather than simply pandering to the demand of the masses they are being proactive in trying to make some kind of difference? No great advancement in equality comes without the side that has the unfair advantage being big enough people to either yield that advantage or all others to replicate it. Of course games with meaning for "us" refer to those where you are contractually compelled to play by an organisation that you may or may not have liked when growing up. Or the a political entity established when some clever cartographer drew some lines on a map hundreds or years back that you happened to be born into. Those are the only two sporting contests which can have meaning. Here we have a group wanting to play because they are effectively a marginalised subset of one of those political entities (due to some invasion or something it is all very hazy) Our resistance to it only belies our lack of pride and acceptance. What does naming a round the indigenous round and then basically doing the exact same thing for the preceding and following rounds do? Other than you know have minimum disruption to the lives of the real Aussies whilst placating the inferior brown folk. Maybe we've forgotten but the soul of rugby league is the battler, we’re not the elite private schools and harbour side back yards. The clubs are supposed to represent and serve the community, our sport doesn’t exist on a commercial basis when you look at the profits that clubs make and how wholly reliant they are on free talent development in schools and local parks. Our sport is reliant on the grass roots of the heartlands believing that it matters. Do I get why the game is important, no I don’t. But then I don’t have to. All that’s important to me is that one or more young guys or girls from one of our disadvantaged groups, a disadvantage manufactured by our forefathers, finds it important. If rugby league can’t get behind this game then it’s already lost the code war because it’s lost it place in our social fabric going forward because surely we won’t look back and give a pass mark to those who remained mired in the passive state of denial that has chequered our past. Aren’t we better than that? And if not, don’t we want to be?