So the number of people regularly playing the game has [url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_league/13879856.stmdropped by half in the last year,[/url and this will cost the RFL £1million pounds in funding, at least an increase in TV funding could lighten the blow

Be interesting to see a breakdown of the figures by area but what can be done to increase the number of players? we need a broader pool to fill our pro squads from, there are not enough english players to fill the teams we have already let alone any expansion in pro clubs in the future

I don't really know what is going on to increase numbers in my area and the local development officers dont reply to emails Ive sent them, is this better elsewhere?

Don't be stupid , half the kids in London play RL

A lot of sports have received cuts from Sport England.

Targets are too high and in the economic situation we've had, some people haven't been able to afford to play.

Hopefully it will increase for the 2013 WC

EXCLUSIVE comment from the men at the heart of the decision [url=http://www.sang-et-or.net/readarticle.php?article_id=884here[/url

Should this decision not be taken as a vote of no confidence from Sports England in the RFL? Richard Lewis is nothing but a salary taking nodding dog, he contributes nothing. We've failed to meet participation targets resulting in the sport losing £1m in funding, he has presided over a farcical round of franchise applications which will see the league just as weak as it ever was and has delivered a TV deal that is lower than the one signed in 1995 when you factor in inflation. The referees in place are also absolutely horrific.

The international game is still a farce, we still aren't showing any signs of being competitive internationally and all the expansion franchises (Bar Catalans) have been utter failures.

Yet people still say he's good for the game? Convince me.

the cost of sport here in Aus is also an issue (not sure about the UK)... I have 2 sons one plays rl and rows the other is an athlete and rows..

the total cost for these events including competition entry fees, club membership and coaching is around $2600.00 (1700 gbp) each year... and that doesnt take into account getting the kids to and from events, training kit, shoes, boots, pads, protection... also school sports here are not free... each sport is paid for on a term basis... for example surfing lessons on a wednesday afternoion... $175 per kid per term.... weight and fitness training $95 PK/PT...


I am not suprised kids are moving away from sport and moving to more sedantry pass times like Xbox... if you dont do sport as a kid... chances are you wont do it as an adult either.

London is where the growth is in terms of youth. It is the northern lot who are lacking and resulting in the fall in participation.

WTF!!

Thats madness dude!!

Quote Hopie="Hopie" I don't really know what is going on to increase numbers in my area and the local development officers dont reply to emails Ive sent them, is this better elsewhere?'" our local officer is replies to emails and calls. even provided our club site with a profile... www.pitchero.com/clubs/burybronc ... 28104.html

Quote Hopie="Hopie" I don't really know what is going on to increase numbers in my area and the local development officers dont reply to emails Ive sent them, is this better elsewhere?'" our local officer is replies to emails and calls. even provided our club site with a profile... www.pitchero.com/clubs/burybronc ... 28104.html

That’s probably true. Does that not worry you that participations is falling in the heartlands?

I can't help but think, what is going to inspire the youth of Leigh, Halifax, Oldham, Wakefield etc. Watching your local teams playing in front of 1500 fans in an empty stadium won't inspire anyone to take to the field. I can't help but feel that a connection exists between getting rid off P/R and a drop in player participation.

Can you provide a link to back up this claim ?

That's assuming that there is a direct link between participating and supporting/spectating.

The increase in players in London doesn't seem to have been stifled by Quins RL playing in front of a largely empty stadium. Equally, the rise in player numbers in the area hasn't been morrored in a rise in paying spectators.