The Challenge for Canadian Rugby

http://blogs.theprovince.com/2014/12/27/try-and-tackle-guest-column-jeff-hull-on-canadas-mens-rugby-gap/

Click the link to read an account of prospects for Canada. The gist of the article is that Canada can finance and train backs at home, partly because of funding available for the sevens team, but can't do the same for big, mean forwards. The route for them, is to find a contract overseas as soon as possible to earn a living while getting regular top level rugby. The writer, Jeff Hull, doesn't think Canadian domestic rugby provides players with the competition necessary to make a transition to international level.

Always interesting to hear about the challenges for other unions in the professional world.

There is no 'domestic' Canadian rugby. The game has no real future there as hockey rules, NFL isn't far behind, CFL has some following, baseball and soccer is on the up. If there was a league in the USA then maybe, but until then it is a game that will only develop at national level as a 3rd tier nation, with players getting their experience abroad.

Well how did they produce players like Al Charron, Norm Hadley, Eddie Evans, Dan Eckhardt....in the famous team of the early 90's.

If the new professional American league can get off the ground, that could be a help to the Canadians. Although from what I've read most of the teams are going to be on the eastern sea board, 1000's of miles away from the traditional Canadian rugby heartlands in British Columbia. Maybe a Northwest Conference with teams from places like Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, Portland, Edmonton and Calgary?

GeordieFalcon wrote:Well how did they produce players like Al Charron, Norm Hadley, Eddie Evans, Dan Eckhardt....in the famous team of the early 90's.

....because it was the amateur game in the early 90s - to compete in a fully professional world you need to be fully professional, and playing high level rugby week in week out.

That's true...it wouldn't matter to Big Stormin Norm...who would be awesome in any era!

Cumbrian wrote:If the new professional American league can get off the ground, that could be a help to the Canadians.  Although from what I've read most of the teams are going to be on the eastern sea board, 1000's of miles away from the traditional Canadian rugby heartlands in British Columbia.  Maybe a Northwest Conference with teams from places like Vancouver, Victoria, Seattle, Portland, Edmonton and Calgary?

Is there one in the offing? If so i can assure you distance won't be an issue.

There is supposed to be:

http://nationalrugbyfootballleague.com/

How much of a success it will be, remains to be seen.