28th September 2009 Rugby Leaguer & League Express a71 www.totalrl.com 27
CAN’T THE CUP BE NATIONAL?
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got to admit that the blood drained
from my face when I saw the list of
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entrants. There were very few teams
similar to ourselves in the line-up and
Fagge has, in addition, promised
there was every chance that we would
that seeding will be introduced to
be paired up, in the first round, with a
enable hopefuls to meet teams of a
very strong opponent indeed.
similar standard before taking on the
We’d have beaten them, of course –
amateur game’s giants suitable
I’ve every faith in our lads, who know
bolstered by a bit of a run.
how to celebrate a good win at our
What’s harder to deal with is the
Rose & Crown base on the outskirts of
issue of potential long-distance travel.
Castleford – but I’ve got to admit it
That thoughtful visionary Alan Parker
was a daunting prospect. In the event
came up with the idea, a few years ago,
we were lucky and drew Manchester
of regionalising the early rounds but
outfit Irlam Hornets, then of the Kukri
found that while some clubs enter in
North West Counties League Division
the hope of avoiding lengthy trips,
Five.
others take part precisely with that
As it happened, Hornets are also a
goal in mind, in the hope of a good
fantastic bunch and backed up a fine
night out.
win at Wakefield’s Westgate in the
So it seems that organisers can’t
opening round with a hard-earned
really win, although it could be
success over Methley on a real gluepot
possible I suppose to `double-seed’ the
of a pitch.
draw to ensure that those who don’t
Irlam then went on to host Ovenden,
want to travel too far don’t, and that
losing honourably to the NCL Division
those who do, get what they want.
Two outfit to wrap up what was, for
Admittedly, that would be
them, a memorable adventure in
complicated, but I’d like to think a
British amateur Rugby League’s major
way could be found around the
knockout competition.
problem.
But they were lucky. Like us, they
Fagge, meanwhile, deserves the
could have drawn a real giant such as
support of the entire game for his
Leigh Miners Rangers, East Hull,
initiative and I hope he gets it, and that
Siddal take on Wigan St Cuthberts in last
Ellenborough Rangers, Queens,
this season’s entry for the National
season’s National Cup Final, but why
Sharlston Rovers or Halton Simms
Cup is the biggest for many a year.
aren’t all the amateur sides involved?
Cross and, possibly, suffered a
Meanwhile, the Rugby Football
demoralising hammering.
League is staging another of its
That, and the prospect of an
Community Congresses next month.
expensive away draw, is the reason, I
I think this will be around the third
think, for many so-called `lesser’ sides
or fourth and, like the others, it’s being
Talking Grass Roots
taking part these days.
held on a Saturday afternoon, with
Which is where Roger Fagge, the
delegates being rewarded with tickets
newly-appointed BARLA Secretary,
for a major game (in this instance, the
comes in. Fagge, hailing as he does
engage Super League Grand Final) in
ANY NEWS ON AMATEUR RUGBY LEAGUE? Contact Phil Hodgson from the Ryhill club, knows all about the evening.
on 01977 515792 (fax: 01977 559343, email: hogleague@aol.com)
with PHIL HODGSON
what it’s like to be involved with a real
I’d love to attend but like so many
grassroots club and, as such, has a real
who are involved with a club it’s
THE clarion call has gone out, perhaps of having an away draw a great pity.
insight into what motivates those
impossible, given that my side is
elsewhere in these pages, for
somewhere along the way which Not that I can totally blame them.
outside the higher echelons, and what
playing that afternoon.
more involvement by amateur
would offer the possibility of a good The problem now is that, with
their aspirations are.
I’ve spoken to Rugby League
Fagge has, high among his
clubs, nationwide, in the Ace
night out, plus a great and valid excuse relatively few teams from outside the Services before about this, and they
National Conference League or the top
priorities, set himself the task of make the valid point that it’s very
Insurance (Europe) BARLA
to give to the wife or girlfriend.
Many ex-players reading this divisions of the Regional Leagues
further invigorating what is already a difficult to stage such an event on a
National Cup.
column will have had their memories taking part, the competition is
very strong competition and has fired midweek evening, given that it lasts
Time was, unless my memory is
prompted by that comment and the dominated to an unhealthy degree by
out the message that all teams are more for around five hours and that many
playing tricks on me, when almost
next time they see their old mates will the `big guns’. than welcome to take part in this delegates would have to travel a fair
every team in the country entered the
start off by asking, “do you remember I discovered that last season when I season’s adventure. distance.
competition. The vast majority knew
when we went to so-and-so?”, and go entered my own team, Methley He is keen to get as many as Nevertheless, a Saturday afternoon
that they had no chance whatsoever of
on to chew over a tale that probably Royals, formed only a couple of years possible involved – including those in slot remains bizarre, depriving the
winning the prized piece of silverware, couldn’t be told in the pages of a ago but doing reasonably well and the Rugby League Conference which, majority of people to whom the
or of getting anywhere near the final. family newspaper. then operating in the CMS Yorkshire although summer-based, could still Congress is targeted of the chance of
Most, I suspect, took part simply for It’s that kind of experience that League’s Unison Division Two. take part; playing in February, March attending. I hope there will be a real
the thrill of the ride, in the hope of clubs that don’t enter the competition I’d fondly imagined that many and April as, to some degree, a pre- rethink regarding future events.
making some memorable progress and any more are missing out on, and that’s similar sides would also enter but I’ve season exercise.
NATIONAL Conference League club
secretaries have been reminded that AMATEUR NEWS
“One Premier Division club has Ryan Bradley will cross the Pennines October 10.
complained that the numbering of players from his previous role as Yorkshire Delegates, limited to two per club, will
their counterparts at professional level does not necessarily correspond with the Volunteer Co-ordinator to take up his be invited to stay for the game after the
cannot necessarily be relied upon to get
learned the salutary lesson that nothing
actual scorer of points. This has happened appointment as Development Officer for congress, which will run from 11.30am to
their facts right when giving the `nod’
should be taken for granted.
in the past and we must eradicate these Bolton, Bury and Rochdale. 4.00pm and which will feature an array of
for players to return to the amateur
“To avoid such repetition please ask - do
discrepancies otherwise central records and Bradley has an initial three-year posting, presentations, workshops and guest
game.
not assume. It might prove painful and
scoring data - which are a key component funded jointly by the Bury and Bolton speakers.
NCL rules allow such players to sign for
costly to clubs if contracted professionals
in the decisions on major awards – will council, Link4Life (Rochdale Sport, Rugby League Services Manager Kelly
clubs in the flagship league - subject to
are not vetted in the approved fashion.
otherwise be flawed.” Leisure and Culture Trust) and the Rugby Barrett said: “The Community Congress
their contracts having been terminated and
There is no room for complacency
The NCL Supremo also insisted that the Football League. has proved to be a popular event over the
the relevant registrations having been
knowing the likely consequences of a
`Man of the Match’ be named on match He said: “I am looking forward to last few years, and is a great opportunity
cancelled by the Rugby Football League.
feckless approach.”
reports. “Some players who do not meeting everyone currently involved in the for the community game to come together
However, assurances by RFL clubs that
Lowes continued: “The procedure for
necessarily figure in the scoring charts game and helping to drive our sport and share best practice. I’m sure Old
both those steps have been taken have
requesting confirmation of the status of
produce, week in week out, consistent forward within the regions. Rochdale as a Trafford will prove to be a fitting venue for
occasionally, in the past, turned out to be
players is:
performances and guide their team around borough is steeped in Rugby League this year’s event and afterwards we can all
incorrect.
“* The request (by email only) is made in
the field,” he said. “Whilst that player’s history and is a real sleeping giant. It has enjoy this year’s Grand Final.”
The most notable instance was in 2006/7
the first instance directly to the League’s
scoring prowess may be minimal been shown that there is a thirst for the Places at the Congress can be booked
when both Eastmoor Dragons and Oulton
Administrator
nonetheless his effort, execution and game in Bolton, and in Bury, so I am through the Rugby Football League, Rugby
Raiders were docked league points as a
“* The club must supply the player’s full
doggedness throughout the course of a relishing the chance to support everybody League Services, The Zone, St Andrews
result.
name and his date of birth
game is a prevailing factor contributing to involved in whatever capacity I can.” Road, Huddersfield, HD1 6PT (tel: 01484
In his recent newsletter, NCL
“The League’s Administrator will then
his team’s overall performance. It would be Meanwhile Paul Scanlon-Wells, a 448000, fax: 01484 545582, e-mail:
Administrator David Lowe said: “Under no
obtain from the RFL’s Operations
a great shame if, for example, a player mainstay of the fledgling Bury club, has rugbyleagueservices@rfl.uk.com).
circumstance must any club work from
Department confirmation of the player’s
missed out on a major award because his been appointed `League For All’ officer
gossip or unfounded innuendo. We deal in
status and, once received, relay that data to
club had failed to address the basic post and is responsible for delivering non- HAWORTH PARK have folded - before
facts passed in written submissions. We
the NCL club having launched the enquiry.
match administration. traditional versions of the sport, such as the Hull ARL’s GMB Union Division
have evidence of clubs being informed by “Clubs are expressly forbidden, unless “From this week onwards, should this Tag and Masters rugby, to various groups One campaign has really got going.
professional administrators that players’ advised to the contrary by the NCL, from vital data not be included, as indeed it across the region. The Park, previously known as East
contractual obligations have been making direct contact with RFL Operations should be, then the HOME club will face a Riding, have been forced to call it a day
terminated yet perfunctory checks with the as the procedure was initially devised fine of £25.00.” GRASSROOTS workers have been after losing the majority of their squad to
RFL have confirmed a different specifically so that the NCL had complete invited to the annual Community rival clubs.
perspective. control of email exchanges, and to whom THE region to the north west of Congress, again organised by Rugby Hull PRO Joe Kemp said: “It’s a great
“After the point deductions and fines they are fed.” Manchester, a combination of hardcore League Services. pity, particularly after so much hard work
issued by the League some three years ago Lowes, meanwhile, has reminded clubs Rugby League and comparative virgin This year’s event will take place at Old had been put into getting the team going.
which led to great upheaval, clubs having that players should wear the shirts allocated territory, has two new development Trafford, Manchester, prior to the engage As far as I know, however, no lads have
transgressed then should, by now, have to them on official team sheets. He said: officials in post. Super League Grand Final on Saturday been lost to the sport.”
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