Ed Easter

Englishman, Rugby League tragic, fan of Hardcore & love my cricket. Live in Western Australia as a Youth Worker! Managed 10 years working for the NRL.

[Trima @JovanVujosevic]

For almost 18 years, I served as Regional Director of European Rugby League, helping introduce and develop the sport in numerous countries across Europe, often with virtually no financial resources.

One of the most important lessons I learned is that rugby league cannot achieve sustainable growth without first securing official recognition as a sport by national governments.

At one point, rugby league was being played in approximately 27 European countries, yet only around nine had official recognition, and just five or six had access to government funding.

Look at where the funding for Papua New Guinea's entry into the NRL has come from, as well as the financial support provided to other Pacific nations. Much of this investment comes directly from the Australian Government's budget, supplemented in some cases by contributions from the governments of those nations.

Government recognition creates access to public funding, infrastructure, institutional support and long-term development opportunities.

The fundamental problem is that rugby league is still not officially recognised as a sport in many countries where it is played, let alone globally.

We can talk about international expansion, stronger national teams and World Cups, but without government recognition and sustainable domestic funding, genuine global development will remain extremely difficult.

If we truly want rugby league to become a global sport, securing official recognition and access to public funding must be among our highest strategic priorities.

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@chasingroospod I’m guessing the logic is more for the future of Tonga and Samoa 🤷🏼‍♂️. The kids of the current generation of players won’t qualify unless there is a father/son rule. Which would be a less embarrassing option btw.

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@rugbyleagueontv Greatly appreciate the pronunciation info, I was100% getting that wrong 🤦🏼‍♂️.

[James Gordon @jdgsport]

Still can't believe this decision a week on. The analysis on this is good also - shows the Lebanon defender had a straight line to the kicker but his own bad read forced him to run around the static French player.

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@T2Rugby RL people like their World Cup, we’ve been doing since 1954. Glad you love it so much you watch pre match chats 🧐.

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@stephenjones9 @SteveMascord I was a dual coder growing up, read this journo do a piece criticising our 2000 RLWC before it had even started. Realised the ingrained politics and hate was more of a problem for his side of the rugby world and proceeded to enjoy my RL with a chip on my shoulder 😂

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@MikeMeehallWood @paulmac_78 The “rugby league is dying” brigade have been the dumbest and unfortunately the loudest since the early 90s. I’m 44 and it’s all I’ve heard the whole time I’ve played coaches reffed and volunteered in the game!

[Kosher @koshercockney]

Wow. This community note.

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@baltikaben @footyindustryAU Abandoned? There was just had a meeting at local league 3 weeks ago about combining some facility hire. Hope this isn’t true 🤦🏼‍♂️

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@johnnyddavidson @SteveMascord Don’t like it. That’s not a genuine connection in many people’s lives.

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@_ian_e_white If owners don’t care about losses then I guess it doesn’t matter. The French league seemed owner led for a long time but now seems profitable too. I may be wrong on that.

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@GavWilson Support all of this.

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@LeagueFreak Never understood why it got binned

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@rlexpanda Unless Tonga win by 46 👀😂

[Brendan Johnson @the_red_heifer]

When the All Blacks put 140 on Namibia Union didn't immediately shrink their World Cup, they kept it the same size and now Namibia don't concede triple figures anymore. You want to grow International RL? Keep the pathways open for the teams who get belted and they'll improve

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@irl_sumo @WePlayLeague The 2017 team was excellent, 2008 went well too!

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@SteveMascord It wasn’t boring at all. The semi final with NZ was one of the best games of RL ever. How about the NZ v Tonga group game? Or Wales v Samoa. It was a great event!

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@SteveMascord I feel you’re giving oxygen to a dissenting minority that will refuse to explain “where the RLWC hurt them” whilst they actually watch and enjoy some of the games in secret.
Ive enjoyed it thoroughly since 1995. More great games than bad.

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@SteveMascord That was a great World Cup. It’s where I truly fell in love with the game. Wish it had launched Wales RL.
Another World Cup where the draw shafted Fiji though.

[Ed Easter @easter_ed]

@Mitchell83 @SteveMascord It’s awesome they’re in wtf are you talking about. I’ll probably go when Perth play them away 🙌🏻.