Members of the NSW Rugby League Board of Directors, Senior Representatives from NSW Cup sides and management from the NSW Rugby League have today reaffirmed their commitment to returning the NSW Cup to the premier open age competition in the country after the NRL.
When opening the forum Chairman of the NSW Rugby League Board of Directors Mr Colin Love AM described the NSW Cup as the NSWRL's "premier competition" and he also reiterated the Australian Rugby League's support of the competition's future.
With the focus mainly towards the 2010 season clubs were given an open forum to discuss, clarify and put forth their views on how the NSW Cup can progress with the main topics including increasing the competitions profile and promoting it as a genuine pathway to the NRL.
After discussing everything from Facebook to fan base the forum agreed on a strategic plan which will be looked over by a management sub committee comprising club representatives as well as NSWRL Board Members . The plan has set initiatives which need to be implemented within specific time frames for the NSW Cup competition to further its success.
Some initiatives include:
* Increase inter-club communications.
* Making a firm commitment to co-operate with the NSWRL regarding the reporting of weekly scores and team lists so that NSWRL.com.au can become a rugby league fans go to source.
* Promote the NSW Cup as a genuine pathway to the NRL.
* Increasing the competitions profile through well defined media strategies.
* Conduct club forums like today’s at least three times per year.
Round one of the NSW Cup kicks off on Saturday March the 14th.
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I am pleased to see that the NSWRL and the ARL have identified the challenges that inhibit the NSW Cup competition and i'm more glad to see that they will be working hard to overcome these challenges. the lack of profile is the number one issue that the NSW Cup is faced with. Coverage be it through Fox Sports, ABC Television, Channel 9 would assist in bolstering the competitions profile significantly.
The lack of popularity with crowd attendances is the next issue. If a NSW Cup games can not be played before NRL fixtures due to broadcasting or Stadium trust agreements with certain number of games only to be played on the surface, perhaps the move of Double or Triple Headers could be used in order to get more bums on seats and generate more support and encouraging people to get to these games. I thought the final series format of last year was a great initiative.
Having the Jim Beam (Now Bundy Red) Cup, and then two NSW Cup games following on, brought more people through the gate, which is exactly what the NSWRL would love. Imagining having a Double or Triple Header at Henson, North Sydney, Pratten Park. Thousands of fans would be motivated to turn up, 3 games of Rugby League on a Sunday arvo. There is load of merit there if it is to be explored.
Im sure alot was talked about at the day - but Ill believe that the NSWRL is going to do something only when they actually do it... Until then, talk is cheap.