We are petitioning for the rfl to resurrect the roses match. This was a game played between yorkshire and lancashire. A rivalry for the ages that goes beyond sport, this game pitched sides from the heartland of rugby league against one another. Waning interest in the face of poor marketing saw the matches abandoned in the early part of this century. We only need to look at the enthusiasm that the australian state of origin games are met with in this country to know that there is still an appetite for a similar series closer to home. The benefits for the english game are simple, instead of playing relatively meaningless mid season internationals or origin games, we bring back the roses format and use it to blood uk based english talent in a much more competitive environment. Affording the coaching staff of the english rl team the opportunity to see the cream of english talent facing off in a high pressure situation, mimicking the realities of facing the worlds best sides in world cups and nations series. Properly marketed, this could provide a much needed boost to the waning coverage rugby league receives outside its traditional heartlands, as well as providing the sports governing body with much needed additional revenue in terms of gate receipts and sponsorship. This could then be ploughed back into the sport at grassroots level creating a truly beneficial circle. We propose a supporting fixture played between a side made up of proud cumbrians against a team from the emerging south of england. This petition is being brought by the super league pod podcast, and we welcome your support and feedback.
There are currently 42 signatures for this petition: