OTTAWA ACES TO JOIN BETFRED LEAGUE 1 IN 2021

[josie andrews]

NEGOTIATIONS ADVANCED WITH NEW YORK RUGBY LEAGUE TO ENTER CHALLENGE CUP NEXT YEAR
The Rugby Football League today confirms the relocation of Hemel Stags to play in the Canadian capital, Ottawa, in Betfred League 1 in 2021.

The Ottawa Aces held an introductory media conference at the TD Place Stadium today [Monday], which was attended by Simon Johnson, the Chair of the RFL.

Simon Johnson: “I was delighted to be present at the TD Place Stadium for the launch of the Ottawa Aces and to confirm that the Aces will enter our competitions in 2021.

“It has been a long journey to get to this point, and I congratulate Eric Perez and his partners and investors for their commitment and vision to relocate the Hemel Stags to become the Ottawa Aces, along with the wishes of the Championship & League 1 Clubs.

“That reflects the benefits to our competitions and clubs from the progress of Toronto Wolfpack through League 1 and the Championship over the last three years.

"In Rugby League’s 125th year, as we celebrate the rich heritage of this sport, the introduction of Ottawa Aces to the competition allows us to look to a colourful, expansive and global future. They will bring a new and passionate audience to our great game. The wonderful facilities here in Ottawa will bring an exciting new element to the Betfred League 1 next season."

All Ottawa Aces home games in Betfred League 1 during the 2021 Season will be streamed live on the Our League app.

The RFL also confirms today that discussions with New York Rugby League are progressing and that negotiations are advanced for New York to enter the Coral Challenge Cup next year.

If these negotiations are completed, New York would enter at the First Round stage.

As advised last week, New York Rugby League will hold a media conference in Liverpool on Tuesday (March 10).

https://www.rugby-league.com/article/56 ... eague--in-

[Barney841]

Another joke team joining the English leagues

[old hooker]

Who next, Outer Mongolia ? RL is becoming a joke.

[Nezza Faz]

Why ? Anymore than Batley, Dewsbury, Doncaster etc, etc ? Going nowhere at the moment, or for the last god knows how many decades !

[Firestarter]

Be nice to see halifax get a foot up....... they used to get a cracking following(and genuine)

[old hooker]

Why ? Anymore than Batley, Dewsbury, Doncaster etc, etc ? Going nowhere at the moment, or for the last god knows how many decades !

These sides have lasted for a very long time, produced some very good players along with Workington, Whitehaven which benefitted RL.Toronto are becoming a joke, buying players like Wilkin, Sidlow, Kay who are either past it or have never been regulars at any club.Add SBW who cost a fortune and wouldnt get a game anywhere else and at 35 is not going to improve.They will not produce any decent players and will almost certtinly be relegated this season.The whole process of trying to expand to Canada America will not work.I doubt they willbe around in 3 years time at the most.So please no more joke clubs.

[Nezza Faz]

Regards Toronto, it's far too early to say they'll be relegated because they've only so far played the top 6 SL clubs away, (including the last 2 Grand Finalists); who's to say they won't improve as they get to the pace of SL and then play their home games at Lamport in Canada.
And okay, those sides you mention have been around for a long time, but they've hardly contributed much to the prosperity of the game, with crowds around 500 ! Some people have said in the past, it's the tail wagging the dog syndrome. At least Toronto have brought a new audience to the game, with upwards of 9,000 watching their home matches. And who's to say, as a new club, in 5/10 years they'll not be starting to produce their own home grown Canadian talent ?
Who knows what their long term future may be, but with their own financial investment, Off Field Marketing and TV efforts, backed by a billionaire chairman, it's too soon to write them off.