Why would a Test Series between England and Australia spread interest to Canada more than having their own club side to follow throughout the year?

And just 3/4 weeks of international fixtures for their national side against other emerging nations and then nothing for another 12 months isn't going to cut it either.

I think it's worth a try. Once the ice hockey finishes, there's not much else to do sports-wise. There's a baseball team, but it's not particularly well-supported. I went to see the Red Sox play there and it was more than half-empty, and the Red Sox are a team who attract crowds. I've seen the Red Sox at a few grounds and they're normally full. And their fondness for ice hockey shows that they are fond of a game that is, firstly, not American, and secondly filled with ebb and flow and a bit of biff.

And before you knock Toronto, it's a grand night out, and roasting in summer.

For quite a while I've thought that North America would really take to RL if it could ever really get going over there. Just looking at their love of American Football I just think RL would be a sport they'd take to more naturally that football (soccer) which has had a hard slog over there to win over people.

It's main problem is that sport is very much about a habit, often influenced by family. How many of us have got into rugby league on the basis that "it looks interesting". Most of us, I can bet, got into it through being taken by family members. It's a generational thing. That's why it hasn't taken off in London, because people have other habits. It's why it worked in Catalan, because people watched league anyway round there, and the Dragons themselves are a merger of two pre-existing teams (I seem to recall).

The advantage it might have over London is that it may not get the same TV coverage we get. For instance, the fans of league in the south have become so because of watching league on TV, and probably have their own pet northern teams. It doesn't mean they'll traipse along to the stoop, because their appetite is wetted by the top northern teams. In Toronto, the only team they might see is Toronto, which might help.

Yes maybe with Rugby League you or others got into by being taken to games but how many on here like multiple sports? I would imagine most do yet were you taken to see these sports at a young age? Never taken to a cricket game when young but become a fan of it? Never been to a Grand Prix but follow the F1? Never attended an American Football match but enjoy watching it? Never played golf as a kid but tune in for the Majors and Ryder Cup?

London didn't work but that's because it was badly run club. The way North American sports clubs are run compared to our English RL clubs are a million miles apart.

What next? an NRL / Super League double up? It just seems a bit barmy to me, well financed or not to have a Canadian team in our league structure.

Iif you read my post I said we are propping up thr French game the Canadian mullarky is a joke.
Si the travel is financed until the backer gets fed up Canada is too far. As for the French game Catalans seem to sign who they want for what they want. For example Carney couldnt get a visa to play in a UK club but he can for France, level playing field no way.

Just a thought really, but is it possible that this club could be based in this country.

The big advantage for this and the main reason that it has a chance to work is that, they will market the game really well.
Toronto is a great where they have already managed to get crowds over 7000 to watch a game that they no nothing about.
With Noble and Rowley on board, they have every chance of getting the set up something like and then its down to recruitment.
The one thing I'm unsure about is any salary cap restrictions in League 1, which makes putting a squad of players together interesting, to say the least.

The concept of having a team based in Toronto in itself is slightly mad but, IF this is the first step in spreading RL into North America then, it's an exciting prospect.

The stupid thing to do would be to accept that the M62 is the limits of our great game.

This has a much stronger feel of Aukland Warriors/Catalans franchise than a Gateshead or Crusaders. The backer is clearly very rich, has a passion and knowledge of rugby league and has the backing of a sports mad City with the Mayor turning up to the press conference who spoke highly of the opportunity.

Spectator sports in Summer in Canada are limited, there is a big Union presence domestically but nothing to offer elite comp with a rugby ball. I would not be shocked to see them start averaging 6k crowds fairly quickly.

They have emphasised it is a long term project, they have a reality show following their scouting in North America and have signed some good players, they will probably win the comp in the first season and gain promotion, which should greatly assist the fanbase.

Good luck to them, great idea and I hope and think they will succeed.

I will tell you why, because they will be fast tracked into super league at the cost of a founder member of rugby league and for what, money for Sky, dishes up in Canada, its just crap

I am all for promoting and spreading the game both nationally and internationally.I think it is great to see clubs now in the Midlands and Home Counties. On top of that it is also good to see other nations developing the sport too, such as Italy, Malta, Serbia and Greece.

My main concern is that the RFL would have to have some involvement, whether it would be finance or energy, but I would think they would be better improving the sport at grass level roots, both in the heartlands, and also help the newer sides, such as Coventry and Gloucester. I would not want this to be at the expense of say, a Swinton or a Batley.

Also, they say they would fund for opponents to travel, to me, it sounds too good to be true, and dont think this would last long. I think for the supporters, it would leave a huge hole in their pocket for the away games, and potentially, the trip to Canada may not be a one off.

Someone also said about the salary cap, this is also a valid comment. They wouldnt or shouldnt be able to field a team of superstars at the level they would be starting at, We already have a money man running a club, where he thinks he is above everyone

"Jane? I thought you were at work?"

I have three outlets for my entertainment.
Wakefield Trinity, went with my dad when the Aussies came over in 73 (ish).
Leeds Utd, again my dad took me to see Leeds V Man city, again 73 ish.
Live gigs, my cousin took me to see The Sensational Alex Harvey band, all my pastimes have been driven by relatives taking me and me being hooked.


And the first two I've never forgiven my dad for!

well on that note, tomorrow belongs to me

I really hope it works but I can't help thinking, Mansfield Marksmen, Kent Invicta, Scarborough Pirates, Bridgend Bulls, Springfield Borough etc.

I see they will be based in Bradford when in the UK, so I can see in a couple of years time they'll become the second team in Bradford, Bradford Wolfpack. They'll rumble on in the lower leagues for a couple of years then fade away like the others above.

Just a thought - if they play games on a Thursday night do away supporters get free travel ?

But I still think Toronto will just be "The impossible dream"

that's enough now

Didn't I read somewhere that there was going to be a reality show in Canada to find some of the players? That might bring some fans to home games as reality 'stars' seem to become some sort of celebraty (not in my book though)

Their success will depend on a number of issues but, it will ultimately come down to how much money they are willing to throw at the enterprise.
Pretty much all of the failed clubs that you mention were done "cheap" and without the necessary financial backing to see the job through.
This one could go the same way but, it's worth a shot and IF it is successful, everyone's a winner !

It might go the other way and lead to them going on their own.

I'm not sure the game will take off if it is limited to Toronto for ever. Canada is a hell of a size and a pocket of interest in one place, playing against teams from towns they've never heard of over here, won't get it far. They have to view it as a way of generating interest across the country, and if it gets a following, maybe Vancouver, and Edmonton, and Montreal, etc, all good. As has been said, there are no other strong summer sports in Canada. Toronto Blue Jays is just about the worst supported baseball team (in relation to its potential ground capacity), beaten only by Montreal Expos.

Anybody fancy a trip up to the Northwest Territory's to play Yellowknife Grizzlies.

It'll be really interesting how this plays out in the first year. Whether the logistics behind it all work; how players find the travel and blocks of games; how the Canadian fans take to it etc. No doubt this will all be a process that may need tweaking as it goes along but lets see what happens. At the end of the day if it's successful it can only be good for RL, if it fails we haven't lost anything.

Hopefully they can unearth plenty of Canadian RL talent, maybe even a few from the US. Starting in the League they are, should be the priority.

With the wrestling tactics employed nowadays maybe get someone from wwe playing. Probs fail a drug test though

Are they being financed by Toronto's mate The Loan Arranger ?