What does last night’s NRL game count for in the bigger scheme of things, and what about today’s match?
I’m not just referring to their importance in deciding who will become 2017 premiers, because if you subscribe to the view of SportAccord – the umbrella organisation for international sports federations – not even Wednesday’s State of Origin is of any greater consequence than your backyard game of hide’n’seek. That’s an overarching point that should never be far from our minds as rugby league fans.
Yet aside from a few diehards here and there, the fact the Rugby League International Federation remains unrecognised is something we choose to gloss over in much the same way a smoker thinks denial is the best path to a long and healthy life.
On rare occasions the lack of SportAccord acceptance is brought up in the press we usually branch quickly into two arguments.
The first is journalists and fans turning to bash the game’s administration for failing to promote, coordinate and act with diplomacy in such a way that rugby league can progress. Certainly, I’ve been guilty in that regard.
The second option is usually for the excited pack of hyenas who support other codes, sniping away to an audience before scurrying back to their cold, lonely den.
But now it’s time the blowtorch was turned in the other direction.
Why are the major media outlets, several of which are invested heavily in the success of the NRL, allowing their writers and reporters to blindly ignore what is essentially the biggest issue in the sport? That’s if, you know, I’m allowed to call it a sport.
Where’s the award-winning investigation into the hallways of SportAccord, about who is pulling what strings, about what deals are being done, and a detailed justification of why rugby league is continually shunned?
(Image: AAP Image/Paul Miller)
As commentators wax lyrical about the looming Origin contest and the almost $600 million the sport generated last year, rugby league is still not even a blip on the radar when it comes to potential Olympic status.
Why would you devote an entire television channel, an entire afternoon of radio talkback or six pages of coverage every day to a pursuit deemed inferior to fistball? Yes, you read that correctly: fistball – State of Origin kicked off in 1980, the same year SportAccord admitted the International Fistball Association. When I surveyed my office to see if anyone had any idea what fistball entailed, my boss shot me a disapproving glare and several colleagues swiftly deleted their browser history.
But I don’t want to pick solely on a sport that is apparently widely popular in Europe – other recognised sports organisations include Federation Internationale de Roller Sports, among the first three admissions in 1968; the International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness; the World Minigolf Sport Federation; and others covering sled dogs, tug-of-war, cheerleading and dragon boating.
Interestingly SportAccord statutes say that any organisation applying for membership should supply “a written declaration justifying that the sport or activity which they control does not conflict with or is not in rivalry with an already existing member of SportAccord”.
In the past this point has been pivotal thanks to the ongoing juxtaposition and confusion of rugby league and rugby union, but SportAccord recognises more than one form of golf organisation, several racquet sports and hoop sports that are startlingly similar and many combat sports that are only differentiated by a fancy outfit and an exotic name for kicking someone as hard as you bloody well can.
Even grand old fistball is remarkably close to volleyball – they just play on a longer court and let the ball bounce once.
There are many contradictions in SportAccord statutes that demand closer attention. How can a body that admitted the International Federation of American Football almost 20 years ago have a stipulation that a recognised federation must have 40 active member federations from at least three continents?
A quick check of IFAF credentials claims it has 71 national federations, but it had only seven contestants at its last world cup and as few as four teams in 2003. Unsurprisingly, every time the USA has entered the American Football world cup, they’ve won it. How exhilarating!
The statutes say that winter sports only need 25 member federations to be recognised, but ‘winter’ is defined as being played on snow and ice. If surface conditions allow you to be recognised with fewer member federations, how many nations need to be playing sports on volcanoes or on the moon for them to be considered sports? Ten? Five?
The SportAccord Definition of Sport document includes the following guidelines:
- The sport proposed should include an element of competition.
- The sport should not rely on any element of “luck” specifically integrated into the sport.
- The sport should not be judged to pose an undue risk to the health and safety of its athletes or participants.
- The sport proposed should in no way be harmful to any living creature.
- The sport should not rely on equipment that is provided by a single supplier.
I’d argue you could draw a line through half of the recognised federations if those stipulations were enforced. World Bridge Federation? Seeya. Equestrian Federation? Toodle-pip. Jumping on a luge and flying downhill at 140km/h with only your face and wall of ice to stop you? Possibly an ‘undue risk’.
It’s time for a new level of transparency in this whole shemozzle. Rugby league bosses, tell us openly where you’ve fallen short and what you plan to do about it, and SportAccord should intimately outline the decision process that has seen rugby league rebuffed year upon year.
As for other sports, they should be honest about how the system works behind the scenes, while journalists ought to hold all these parties to account and ensure events like State of Origin no longer remain the equivalent of a well-attended hobby horse race or a grandiose game of cops and robbers.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
I'd equate it with the rebirth of the 3 Stooges comedy routine ,but played out on a rugby league thread.Their timing is perfect, their monologue hilarious.Nothing of substance, but good old slapstick. Nyuk,nyuk,nyuk.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Another "quality" response by Nath or is it Mathew.Changes monikers faster than undies. Oh he's back.Talk about insecurity and immaturity. Do you actually get out in the sunshine and play sport,as it appears offering zero in rl threads is your high water mark. You and Clip make a wonderful tag team, still trying to figure out its makeup. The British Govt's 25m pounds toward the RLWC2021 is a lot more tangible ,than your wafer thin arguments.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Sport Accord does have a problem differentiating between the two rugby codes(a touch of ru influence on that panel it appears),yet the Commonwealth Games Committee does not, nor does the European Sports Commission,neither do many Govts including those in ru playing countries e.g. NZ/Fiji/Pacific Islands and indeed the UK(where the Govt is now providing 25m pounds toward the RLWC2021). I suggest Nath you keep your puerile contributions to ru/AFL threads,as you have nothing of substance or facts to offer here.Your knowledge of rugby league can be packed into a thimble. I have seen the results of my financial contributions ,also added to by other fans, and am more than happy with the outcome. Keep up with your obvious insecurities,the fear makes for compelling reading.
Justin Kearney
Guest
Ignore gnat. He has a masssive chip on his shoulder.
Justin Kearney
Guest
I love it mate. Watching clipper pezza and gnat/matt going full throttle deriding the game is hilarious.
Nath Hitcheson
Guest
Geez they love their Rugby League in England! Just a pity its so popular they have to pay 5 pound to watch the (Northern) England national team play "Internationals" live streamed over the internet
Nath Hitcheson
Guest
So sport accord has the problem because they dont recognize Rugby League but recognizes all the big boys in World sport? I think you better keep donating to "International" Rugby League mate they are going to need a whole whole lot more
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Last I read deucer,Sport England is still providing funds to rugby league, albeit less than prior, due to a drop in participation over the last few years. Hence the reason they (the RFL)are pushing rl non contact(including female participation) plus the usual contact side of the game which also includes the female side.
duecer
Guest
I see, it's specifically for the RLWC, good news for any event to get a grant, they usually cost a lot to put on. I remember Sport England were giving a grant to RL - is this still ongoing. This year RU is getting $12m, Netball 16m, Table Tennis 8m and Tennis 8m - couldn't see RL, perhaps further down. As I said, it's pretty random.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
Making the usual incorrect assumption Nath.If I was that way inclined I'd be tootling off to AF;l/ru threads to have some fun. I'm concerned with one thing and one thing only, and not your insecurities BTW,that is growing rugby league, both here and abroad. I played ru for 5 years and rl for 1.I have probably been watching Boks,ABS and Wallabies before you were born, which I have ceased doing since.Thus I am fully au fait with the state of ru prior to out in the open professionalism(not shamateurism) in rugby union,and since. I know ru is big on the international stage, but it is not Global like soccer. I tell you what I don't see Nath, hordes of insecure rl people spending time trolling ru and AFL threads for ego trips.Perhaps one could learn something. AFL people complained about the lack of media coverage when the Swans came to Sydney circa 1982 and for some time later. The people of PNG population greater than Vic/SA/WA/TAs combined with rl as their national sport say hi Nath and applaud your " meaningful" posts. The British govt is not providing 25m pounds for a SOO, but for the RLWC2021.Thye think it's worthwhile. Your last point about no one from other codes whinging is about as dumb a point as one could provide. Please let me know what other high profile Oz sports played in this country were on last night in opposition to the SOO. Does any rl fan whinge when Liverpool plays mid week at ANZ in front of 70,000 plus?Or when the ABs play last ANZ? Seriously mate you let your dislike for a sport obvious on rl threads, to the point one can see holes through your every effort.Pathetic TBH. None of this has anything to do with Sport Accord and their problem with rl,and certainly not intended for you and you running mates to pull the usual rubbish stunts.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
The biggest problem I see with Sport Accord and its continual refusal ,is the rugby league/rugby union confusion.The only way this can be overcome (as it has with the CG),is to grow rl to a stage where the number of countries playing, are just to great to overlook. Pommy Govt spending 25m pounds on the RLWC 2021 to assist infrastructure and hosting of the tournament.You know these " meaningless events " inferred by Clip and his entourage of Sherrin huggers. Then 2025 in the USA/Canada. The smell of unease that wafts through the air(like garlic in a pizza parlour), any time rugby league and International are used in the same sentnence,appears to be an ever present danger for the usual suspect crew.
Crosscoder
Roar Guru
deucer . It's even better than I stated.The announcement of the hosting of the RLWC in England on 27/10/16, by the RFL,noted this additional info' The Central Government has allocated !0m pounds in infrastructure assistance to the sport of rugby league. I addition a further 15m pounds to support rugby league in hosting of the RLWC. This is therefore nothing to do with the Sports Lottery contribution (part of the normal grants revolving around participation).A completely different grant. The usual knockers that thrive here will make out it's nothing, such is their insecurity.
Justin Kearney
Guest
Nat is mat. Either you write under one moniker or change your writing style for each nickname you create. Its up to you. In the meantime its too obvious mate. And it is pretty sad you do it. But continue on.
Nath Hitcheson
Guest
Nath is Nath Justin. Have you been to bed yet? Are ypu always like this on here?
Justin Kearney
Roar Rookie
Nat is matt! And this post proves it! Another fake id. The obsesiion goes on!
Nath Hitcheson
Guest
Ive been to Liverpool England Justin! Not the one in Sydney though. Why would you like to know? For somebody who used to be in charge of Tassie Rugby League its probably not the best thng to be drunk and abusive on here Justin. How about add something to the conversation without attacking them? It must be huge down in Tassie if a bloke like you is in charge
Justin Kearney
Guest
Nice to see good old clipper here joining the discussion. Another afl fanboy with an obvious agenda. Bad night for you clip? Standing in front of the telly at the local with a sherrin under your arm yelling 'they shall not pass ' at the nsw supporters?
Justin Kearney
Guest
Hi Nathaniel. New here? Ever been to caringbah? Oops i mean liverpool?
Justin Kearney
Guest
How hurtful rob. I cried. Lol!
Justin Kearney
Guest
Nice work pezza. Afl fanboy on a rugby league discussion. Same as it ever was.