It was a move that has left me scratching my head and raising questions about the priorities of Australian sports diplomacy.
Australian Rugby League Commission (ARLC) chairman Peter V’landys recently found himself rubbing shoulders with none other than the President of the United States, Joe Biden, at a state dinner at the White House.
While some may applaud this bold endeavour to promote rugby league on the international stage, others are left wondering: why must one national sport grow at the expense of another?
V’landys is a charismatic figure known for his passion for rugby league and he was invited to this prestigious event by Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who is, as it turns out, a notable rugby league enthusiast himself.
Their discussion focused on the NRL’s upcoming season opener in Las Vegas, marking a strategic push to crack the lucrative American market.
V’landys and the NRL are eager to expand their horizons, introducing the joys of rugby league to the American audience. I cannot help but wonder what the cost will be to Australian sport as a whole.
Passionate followers of the Australian Football League (AFL) might be feeling a little off with this latest development. V’landys has previously taken public swipes at Aussie Rules football, even calling it a “boring sport.”
Now, as he stands before the world’s most powerful human being, he openly aspires to make rugby league the biggest sport in the country.
But let us not rush to judgment. We must remember that any visionary leader needs determination and drive to achieve their goals.
V’landys believes that “hundreds of millions of dollars” could flow into Australia from the United States if they successfully introduce Americans to the magic of “rugba leeg”.
That is no small feat, considering the vast potential audience of 340 million people.
But herein lies the crux of the matter. Why should one sport’s international growth come at the expense of another?
The AFL and NRL have both played pivotal roles in Australian sports culture. They have passionately divided the nation for decades. Surely these two sports do not need to vie for the same international territory.
If the US market is so big, why is it not possible to both achieve their own slice of the pie without dragging each other through the mud?
The AFL has history here as well with there being no doubt that they have grown at the expense of the NRL in the past. But I think it is time for this tribalism to stop at our border, particularly when trying to access new markets.
Brand Australia has been a great success in the US already – I would like to see these two codes link arms under this banner and both win as a result.
I cannot help but wonder about the underlying motivations behind this push for international growth. Is it about expanding the horizons of Australian sport and establishing a global presence, or is it simply a way to one-up a rival code?
A betting agency or promoter in the US looking at these two sports, should not have to choose one or the other. Both would be attractive.
Furthermore, this quest for global recognition should not come at the expense of the grassroots development of either sport in Australia.
While international expansion is undoubtedly appealing, it should not be prioritised over nurturing local talent, investing in community clubs, and preserving the essence of what makes Australian sport unique.
So, as V’landys embarks on this mission to conquer the American market, we are left with a series of questions. Are these efforts truly in the best interest of Australian sports, or his own hip pocket and resume?
Should international expansion always be the ultimate goal, or is there a way for both codes to coexist and thrive both nationally and on the international stage?
In the pursuit of global recognition, let us not forget the importance of preserving the vibrant and competitive landscape of Australian sports.
The world may be vast, but sometimes, the greatest adventures are found in our own backyard.
Vlad
Roar Rookie
VFL is a hot house flower sport. The Adelaide Crows cannot find a home ground without $!00m of free tax payer money and the locals still don't want them. God knows how much the NSW and Queenlsand ventures really cost. A journalist tried to work it out in South Australian and gave up. There is just so much subsidy for 2 teams that cannot pay for themselves. Half arsed China games fully paid for by tax payers. The game is built on Victorian government subsidised grounds, tax breaks and (sometimes forced) community support. According to the recent sport census, they lost over half their players in Australia in recent years. Take away all this forced tax payer support and it has nothing. It's half billion to enter an MLS team into an established sports league in America, How are VFL (or NRL) going to do anything where it has to play for itself when they cannot in Australia? There are no pokey machines in the US for NRL and no Victorian tax payers for VFL.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
I grew up in the St.George Shire and played Rugby League, Aussie Rules and Rugby Union. The captain of the St.George and Australian Soccer team came to our primary school to talk us out of our obsession with the League. You miss out on so much when one code has a stranglehold on the market. It would've been good to have a few of those big Australian Football players in the RU World Cup.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
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Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
The WARL isn't big, but it would grow if they had a team in the NRL. RL is a rugged game that requires speed and strength. Soccer is the game that has the most players and understandably the most participants. There is also RU a game played all over the world. NSW and Qld supply most of these sports with their Australian representatives while the southern shore states can only play with themselves.
Curmudgeon1961
Roar Rookie
Great profile nickname btw. Yes it was a weird adjective to choose. He looks the type if he cam walking to you in a caryard you'd say "Im good mate"
Nat
Roar Guru
Yeah of course. You’re word is solid I’m sure. :thumbdown: It would be arrogant to assume that one code is the be all and end all of any city. It would appear that you have that arrogance. Melbourne have 3x A League clubs and Super Rugby and an NRL club. Does that mean the AFL is losing it Vic dominance?
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Nat For once I'm not boring people with the numbers. Basic concept though. Sydney is the 'home of the NRL'. Agreed? It's also far and away the national home of soccer........and arguably of RU. The NRL/RL doesn't have a stranglehold on that market. And in Melbourne.............you've got next to nothing. About half a dozen junior clubs.
Nat
Roar Guru
Are you really comparing league to soccer in Sydney? Yep, ok. Just like the rest of your comments what you lack is any evidence to back your “research”. Or should I just take your word?
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
#Nat A......stuff all. I have done my research. B. Correct - - beyond the Storm S.G. Ball then there's nothing in Victoria. Not even a FIFO reserves side. C. No one has much idea about the financial arrangements coming into and from the parent shell company. D. there's stuff all actual RL clubs in Victoria and stuff all that have serious junior pathways. There's a number of 'clubs' that are little more than a single 'masters' team. And your comment about the Kiwi/PI players is illustrative more of where you are NOT getting players from - - given NSW/Sydney is the Australian capital of soccer.
Phil McKraken
Roar Rookie
Regardless of whether your opinion about this League trip to Vegas is a coup to expand the sport, a gambit to increase sports gambling dollars or simply a novelty junket factor. Of the two sports, League is obviously in a better position to attempt to win over American sports fans for two reasons: A) It can trade off the name Rugby which most Americans have some awareness of especially those who have attended Ivy League University’s where the sport of Union is played & B) League with its 6 tackles (similar sized playing field) is very similar to the 4 downs employed by the NFL by far the most popular US domestic sport, this advantage makes it far easier for US sporting fans to understand and appreciate. Aussie Rules with its 360• play and oval playing field is just too unique to have any sort of impact. It’s uniqueness similar to Ireland’s Gaelic Football and Hurley means that it could never really expand its foreign horizons even though it’s a far simpler sport to follow, its simplicity would normally be a strength but it’s simply too different from any other sport for other nations to comprehend.
Nat
Roar Guru
What absolute bollocks. A, There have been dozens of Vic born or juniors playing NRL either with the Storm or other clubs. Do your own research. B, The QRL & NSW Cup are the strongest 2nd division. All clubs have their feeders there. NSW clubs have their reach in to Qld Schools just as NSW clubs have Qld Cup feeder teams. That’s where you develop NRL ready players. Are you naive enough to think these players are all from the local suburb they play in? C, You have no idea at all about the finances of the Storm. They have massive corporate support, large member base and some of the largest TPAs in the league. D, Do your research into how much GR league has grown in Vic since the inception of the Storm. The NRL is made up of over 40% Kiwi and PI players. Unlike your game, the NRL is quite welcoming and they are actively encouraged to represent their family on the world stage. What is your problem with that?
Munro Mike
Roar Rookie
Mate - the 100% privately owned Melbourne Storm that has done just what in 25 years? Still totally reliant on running 2 feeder teams in Qld and from next year the North Sydney Bears add in to the mix. There's nothing "Melbourne" about them other than in name. Where's the last great Melbourne/Victorian born bred player? Those who have made it have a pretty obvious common thread.......Islander/Kiwi families if not born there. The financials......are a bit of a black box due to the ownership structure........breaking even has been a challenge for the club.
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
Australia's poor showing at the RU world cup is a result of the code wars. If the states with southern shores could stop playing with themselves and recover from their obsession of standing in a huge crowd and play rugby, we could win our third world cup. Allowing League players to play would also help. I'd be happy if the Dragons could beat Souths every now and then.
Nat
Roar Guru
Tis the offseason. Nothing more fun than rattling a few cages to keep the spirits up. :silly:
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
No worries. You're a pretty good bloke for a League guy. I actually go for QLD!!!
Tim Buck 3
Roar Rookie
V’landys is a charismatic figure?
Nat
Roar Guru
Never mind. Play on ‘SS’ that wasn’t really there.
Naughty's Headband
Roar Rookie
Yeah, nah.
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
Que?
Rowdy
Roar Rookie
I'm sure if dig around I'll find them.