Good day everyone.

[iNot sure where to put this seeing as I’m new here, if there’s a better place then mods please move as appropriate.[/i

Been a Bradford Northern/Bulls fan since the 70’s, but have become involved in Rugby League in Canada since moving over here to Toronto. I just wanted to let people know firstly that Canada is playing rugby league, have gone from unranked to 13th in the world in the last 5 years and are hopefully going to qualify for our first RLWC in December.

The Canada Wolverines just completed a Colonial Cup series win over the USA Hawks, game 1 28-36 and game 2 28-34, which marked our first game win on American soil, our first series win on American soil and the first time we have retained this Cup. An unprecedented year; and all this without heritage players.

This is just a note to help spread the word about the volunteer efforts of RL fans in Canada in growing our game. Please visit [urlhttp://www.canadarugbyleague.com[/url and follow us on Facebook & Twitter from there, we’d love to have your support.

Welcome to the forum

It sounds like the National team are progressing well.

How is the domestic game coming along, are there still around 10 teams? There was a story over here a few months ago that they were looking at entering a Canadian team into our Championship divisions - any more on this?

Thanks for the welcome.

The discussions for the Championship 1 bid are still ongoing to the best of my knowledge, however there was a restructuring over here earlier this month, [urlhttp://www.rlef.eu.com/news/article/1147/canada-rugby-league-association-elects[/url where a new national board was elected, with Provincial boards underneath that who are going through their election processes at the moment.

Still 4 teams in Ontario and 7 in British Columbia, and hopefully another 2 in Alberta for 2016.

We're steadily growing domestically, speaking for Ontario even at 4 teams this bit of stability is allowing for more sustainable growth of playing numbers.

First of all, a warm welcome to the forum



Sounds really positive over there, good to hear that the "greatest game" is spreading its wings and good luck with your RL (or do they call it "footy" in Canada ?

Cheers!

Definitely nice to have some positivity after reading Steve Ferres' interview on the T&A! LOL

We're definitely heading in the right direction, a new board will give us some fresh motivation and ideas, and obviously we'll all be as happy as the proverbial dog with two wotsits should we qualify for RLWC 2017.

There's a fair few Aussies and Kiwis helping out here as well, so mostly it's footy! Better that though than confusing it with Rugby Union.

Good stuff.

Are the clubs over there Open Age only, or do they have junior sides too?

We’re looking at including under 18’s and women’s teams as well. Getting into the schools over here is no easy task and is something that’s been ongoing since RL resumed here in 2010. There have been a couple of tragic deaths at high school RU games so local school boards tend to be a bit skeptical when ‘another’ rugby is brought up, even if doesn’t contain the scrums.

As the game itself becomes more popular and more people see the differences it will come, it’s all a matter of education and relationship building.

We’ve had international crowds of approaching 8,000 so we know the interest is there.

Colonial Cup 2015 - Game 1:
[urlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQySzTGkxv0[/url

Colonial Cup 2015 - Game 2
[urlhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZweKL6gVRA[/url

Canada Rugby League YouTube channel - Games from 2010-2014, featuring Colonial Cup vs USA, Caribbean Cup vs Jamaica, England Lionhearts, RAF Rugby League and more.
[urlhttps://www.youtube.com/user/canadarugbyleaguetv/featured[/url

Thanks for your support!

Welcome to the Forum.

8,000 crowds, that is mighty impressive. just think what could happen if it really could take off over there in the coming years. Keep up the good work and hopefully you get the backing your efforts deserve.

[url=http://www.loverugbyleague.com/news_20050-penrith-panthers-announce-link-up-with-canada-rugby-league.htmlCRLA announce link up with Penrith Panthers[/url

well it looks like it is coming along very nice hope to see you in our league 1 if it comes of hope it does

Cheers mate. Not sure personally if the League 1 thing does come off if it will be of great benefit to grass roots over here, but you never know. A few years back we had a couple of kids over at Hull FC on a similar scheme to the Penrith one, a bit of a shame that didn't carry on as it's easier to get to England from Ontario, while it's easier for the BC lads to get to Oz.

Welcome CanaBull

Sounds promising in Canada.
Good work. Would love to see Canada in the world cup.

Thanks again. Qualification for RLWC 2017 would be an amazing step for us over here. I hope RLWC 2021 goes to 16 teams, as the USA and Jamaica also deserve a better chance at some recognition for their growth as well, particularly Jamaica who have done amazing things with next to nothing in financial support. A great bunch of people doing great things.

It's a three way rivalry that epitomises the best of rugby league; fierce rivals on the field, but with common struggles across each country that has brought players and staff very close together. The North American sports market is huge, so even cracking it as a niche sport could be a key global development for the game as a whole and there is much to be positive about.

[url=http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/2017-rugby-league-world-cup/2476-new-canadian-coach-prepares-for-rugby-league-world-cup-americas-qualifiersNew Canadian coach prepares for Rugby League World Cup - Americas Qualifiers[/url

This is what new Canada Wolverines coach Aaron Zimmerle had to say about December's qualifiers and for development in general.

Excellent thread! Great to see an emerging nation, well, emerging!

Only a month to go until the North American qualifiers for RLWC2017.

And if there are more shirt whores out there, [url=http://www.impactyourkit.com/collections/canada-wolverines-rugby-leagueImpact Prowear[/url have Canada Wolverines kit for sale.


Official jersey


Training vest

[url=http://www.rugbyleagueplanet.com/2017-rugby-league-world-cup/2489-first-glance-at-americas-region-rugby-league-world-cup-qualifiers-united-states-canada-jamaicaFirst look at America's Region World Cup qualifiers.[/url

Please have a look and if you could share the article, that would be great.

Thanks for your support!

[url=http://www.rlef.eu.com/news/article/1195/firehouse-subs-rlwcq---americasCanada Wolverines v Jamiaca Reggae Warriors Preview[/url

Canada open their campaign tomorrow against a Jamaica side who lost out to the USA Hawks 20-14 on Friday.

The match can be streamed live ($10) from here:

[urlhttps://ginicam.com/rugbyleague/[/url

Welcome to the forum CanaBull.

Good news that RL is spreading the love over there.

Good luck to your Bradford Bulls & to you & all the other RL volunteers & Canada of course for 2016.

Keep up the good work.

Thanks mate! Definitely nervy for the first game tonight, hopefully no injuries as it's a short 4 day turnaround for the game against the USA Hawks on Saturday. The guys have been preparing well so fingers crossed, qualification will be massive for us.

Canada come from behind in the last five minutes to tie the game with Jamaica 18-18. A bit of escape for Canada who made a lot of errors uncharacteristically and made it difficult for themselves.

Jamaica ran hard with the championship players but couldn't close out the game.

It's all or nothing for the US and Canada on Saturday; a win for either side will see that team qualify.

Hi CanadaBull, did Chad Bain play? He played for us at Dudley Hill this season

Not against Jamaica no, though he was in the squad. Hopefully he's going well over there for you and representing Canadian rugby league well, I hear good reports!

Cheers.

The all ir nothing match for the last qualification spot for RLWC2017 is up for grabs this afternoon in Jacksonville, Florida.

Whoever wins between the USA Hawks and Canada Wolverines will be heading to Iz and NZ.

Game can be streamed here:[urlhttps://www.ginicam.com/rugbyleague/[/url

USA 34 - 24 Canada
Game was a 6 point game til the last seconds when USA scored.
USA qualifies for the WC.
It was a fantastic qualifying series, with 3 close games and 3 very competitive sides.
The rivalry between these 3 sides will drive improvement into the future, and hopefully all 3 sides can qualify next time.