Hi my name is Jamie Papa and as I explained in my article the greatest problem facing Rugby League in this country is the level of professionalism. Now this stems from the clubs to the greater administration running the game here. I don't want you all to think that I am of the opinion that Catalans and Toulouse are the bad guy's here. They are not. The problem is, is that while they are forging there own pieces of history in other stronger competitions the local domestic comp is slowly whittling away because the administration of the game here is not concerned with maintaining a strong domestic competition.
You all have to understand that for clubs such as Catalans and Toulouse to survive annually on the field they have to call upon depth. Now this is where the problem starts. Because the domestic comp is run poorly, with a below par standard in both skill factor and refereeing ability the better skilled more professional player will get plucked out and put through the Catalan or Toulouse system. The standard here ain't that great to begin with, so when you take these better players away it just further depletes the talent pool, thus lowering the standard even further. The system here requires a complete overhaul from the clubs approach to professionalism (CEO's with business sense) and to the administrators running the game.
Now Catalans and Toulouse have every right to abandon there domestic comp in search for a more professional environment, and I applaud them for that, as they are of the opinion that there product is far better and would suit a stronger competition. The unfortunate fall out of this situation is like I mentioned beforehand. In order for these two clubs (Catalans &Toulouse) to compete at a respectable level they have to field the strongest team that they have at there disposal. So because there is not enough skilled experienced French players running around in there own domestic comp they have to buy imports from Australia, New Zealand and England there in lies the problem.
If and I say this with baited breath they (FFRXIII) can improve there professional approach to creating good junior development, implementing coaching clinics, having professional coach's instead of this captain coach crap that went out 30 years ago and up skilling the level of refereeing they will improve the game.
The (FFRXIII) must stand back and watch with a parental eye over Catalans and Toulouse and allow these clubs to run themselves and fly the flag for France Internationally. They seem to be doing the job sufficiently enough at the moment anyway. However in the meantime the French Federation would better serve themselves by concentrating on more pressing matters like making the game here as professional as its fellow international opponents. When they achieve this they will once again be a competitive force in International fixtures.
