philip jenningsBring back the Amco Cup
May 4th 2008 11:34
Just over 11,000 people braved the cold on Friday evening to watch the annual City-Country game that never reached any great heights. For a so-called representative game, played by the some of the top players in the NRL, the crowd was disappointing. The game would have received more attention and possibly a larger crowd if it was played in a major country centre such as Bathurst or Orange. The game was a fantastic opportunity to increase the exposure of the game to an audience currently starved of live NRL games.
The game was definitely not an opportunity for players to impress the State of Origin coach –Craig Bellamy did not even bother to attend the match. Hopefully, he stayed up to watch the late night replay available on Channel 9 in Victoria.
In 1970’s and 80’s, mid week and pre-season competitions such as the Amco Cup would travel to country centres within NSW and QLD to promote the game, nurturing its grass roots. Aspiring country rugby league players had the opportunity to watch their heroes play, giving them the motivation to want to one day, join a club in the elite Sydney or Brisbane competitions.
With AFL planning a team for western Sydney, rugby league administrators must focus on ensuring that the sport’s top competition maintains its position as the number one sport in NSW. AFL, with a ‘real’ national competition, is undoubtedly rugby league’s greatest threat.
The game was definitely not an opportunity for players to impress the State of Origin coach –Craig Bellamy did not even bother to attend the match. Hopefully, he stayed up to watch the late night replay available on Channel 9 in Victoria.
In 1970’s and 80’s, mid week and pre-season competitions such as the Amco Cup would travel to country centres within NSW and QLD to promote the game, nurturing its grass roots. Aspiring country rugby league players had the opportunity to watch their heroes play, giving them the motivation to want to one day, join a club in the elite Sydney or Brisbane competitions.
With AFL planning a team for western Sydney, rugby league administrators must focus on ensuring that the sport’s top competition maintains its position as the number one sport in NSW. AFL, with a ‘real’ national competition, is undoubtedly rugby league’s greatest threat.
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Comment by Anonymous
well done.
Comment by Tyronne
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