Due to the size of the file I am not able to attach it - and I have not had a chance to upload it - but it is posted as a public file on my Facebook account - you do not have to friend request to see it - just log into FB to view - https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v ... =2&theater

After taking 2 days to think about and consider the players named to the USA National Rugby League team for the world cup, I have recorded a video statement.

I took the last 2 days to talk to players from both the AMNRL and the USARL. Players who were both close to making the USA team and some who are just active in trying to develop the sport in the USA.

I also talked to a few friends and professional contacts from other international Rugby League teams and organizations, to make sure that I was able to construct a well written response, rather than a reaction.

After all of this, it is my belief that the SINGLE LARGEST OPPORTUNITY to grow Rugby League in the USA has been missed by simply not naming 6 known domestic players to the team, and instead filling the team with "HERITAGE PLAYERS".

Rugby League in the USA, although growing, is still a very minor sport. The USA Rugby League Community (Players, Sponsors and Fans) are not familiar for the most part with much of the game on an international stage. This is due partly to the large scale that American Sports are promoted. The ONLY Rugby League they are familiar with is that which is grown locally, and thus the domestic players and better known that any others, including the Superstars of the sport from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Etc.

Due to this, the lack of known AMNRL and USARL players will mean that 99% of the USA Rugby League Community will NOT identify with the National Team at all, and thus have little, if any interest in its performance in the Rugby League World Cup. It will not matter who well the team does, it will have little or no effect on the development on a domestic level.

YES, this is my personal opinion, but after being one of the many trying to develop Rugby League in the USA for the past 15 years, being a team owner for the last 8, and dedicating the largest part of those eight years exclusively to the sport, I am confident that this opinion is shared with a majority of the USA Rugby League Community.

Daryl "Spinner" Howland
Co-owner and Founder
THE JACKSONVILLE AXEMEN
www.jaxaxe.com

Due to the size of the file I am not able to attach it - and I have not had a chance to upload it - but it is posted as a public file on my Facebook account - you do not have to friend request to see it - just log into FB to view - https://www.facebook.com/#!/photo.php?v ... =2&theater

After taking 2 days to think about and consider the players named to the USA National Rugby League team for the world cup, I have recorded a video statement.

I took the last 2 days to talk to players from both the AMNRL and the USARL. Players who were both close to making the USA team and some who are just active in trying to develop the sport in the USA.

I also talked to a few friends and professional contacts from other international Rugby League teams and organizations, to make sure that I was able to construct a well written response, rather than a reaction.

After all of this, it is my belief that the SINGLE LARGEST OPPORTUNITY to grow Rugby League in the USA has been missed by simply not naming 6 known domestic players to the team, and instead filling the team with "HERITAGE PLAYERS".

Rugby League in the USA, although growing, is still a very minor sport. The USA Rugby League Community (Players, Sponsors and Fans) are not familiar for the most part with much of the game on an international stage. This is due partly to the large scale that American Sports are promoted. The ONLY Rugby League they are familiar with is that which is grown locally, and thus the domestic players and better known that any others, including the Superstars of the sport from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, Etc.

Due to this, the lack of known AMNRL and USARL players will mean that 99% of the USA Rugby League Community will NOT identify with the National Team at all, and thus have little, if any interest in its performance in the Rugby League World Cup. It will not matter who well the team does, it will have little or no effect on the development on a domestic level.

YES, this is my personal opinion, but after being one of the many trying to develop Rugby League in the USA for the past 15 years, being a team owner for the last 8, and dedicating the largest part of those eight years exclusively to the sport, I am confident that this opinion is shared with a majority of the USA Rugby League Community.

Daryl "Spinner" Howland
Co-owner and Founder
THE JACKSONVILLE AXEMEN
www.jaxaxe.com