Something struck me yesterday about rugby league, the relationship between, fans, clubs and players which I think is part of what is great about our game but also devalues it in the eyes of the paying punter especially when it comes to major events like the World Cup.
I went to the Samoa v Greece game yesterday. Just over 4000 in attendance and whilst it wasn’t a competitive game was really enjoyable event.
In the stands watching sat alongside the punters were a number of former and current top class players.
On the field there were some absolute superstars of our game. Too many to name representing Samoa. Genuine world class sportspeople.
After the game these guys were happy to talk to fans take pictures sign anything that was thrust in front of them.
My son got a picture with every Samoa player and was even given some playing kit by one of the players who reached into his kit bag and gave him it without prompting him or my lad asking for it.
These lads are as I said world class athletes yet are very humble people and extremely accessible.
At club level the players we watch take them field every week are very accessible, they live in our communities and are very visible.
I can think of no other sport where this is the case.
There have been many complaints about ticket prices, and I think we sometimes because the players are so accessible and visible to the fans that we take it for granted they are world class athletes and it’s a privilege to see them perform.
It’s a strange one, as access to our stars it one thing that is fantastic about the sport but is maybe holding us back from creating superstars in the wider sense of the word.
