​14 September 2021
 
Poll shows 88% of French people are in favor of Rugby League World Cup in 2025 in France
 
According to the survey of people in France, organized by the Institute Francaise d’Opinion Publique (IFOP), 88% of respondents support the plan to organize the Rugby League World Cup in France in 2025
In addition, the study shows that 69% of the French people would like the competition to take place in their region, giving support to the Organizing Committee's decision to host the competition in around 40 different towns and cities.
The proposed format of the competition will see, for the very first time, men’s, women’s, wheelchair, and youth competitions organized simultaneously and equally. A format that is proving very popular and has 88% general approval and 41% very supportive.
The survey demonstrates that 67% of the population are ready to support the French national teams, 73% believe that the event would have a unifying effect and 76% believe it will be very positive for the morale of the nation. Finally, 72% agree that such a huge event would benefit the French economy and especially the tourism economy in the host cities.
The business model is based upon 1.3 million tickets being bought with 60% sold in France and 40% to international visitors. Importantly, 33% of the population surveyed said that they are ready to buy tickets now. 
Michel Wiener, Directeur Exécutif du Comité de Candidature,
“This survey has demonstrated the support of the general public for our proposed plan to deliver a huge international sports event including all forms of the sport, in multiple towns and cities at affordable prices. It confirms the positive welcome already offered by local authorities across the country. We are very happy with this demonstration of widespread support for our proposal to organize the Rugby League World Cup in France in 2025.”
Jérôme Fourquet, Directeur du Département Opinion & Stratégies d'Entreprise de l'IFOP,
“The results of the survey are a positive response to France’s plan to organize RLWC2025 and illustrate the strong support for rugby as a sport that interests the public and can attract a large audience. 31% of the public aged over 18 years, which represents potentially 15 million people, have said that they are fairly or very interested in rugby. By comparison, the similar figure for football is 29%.”
*The survey was conducted between August 31 and September 3, 2021. There were 1803 participants drawn to form a national sample.
 
 
For PR and media requests please contact:
Niel Wood 
media@intrl.sport

​In December 1989, on the inaugural meeting of the South African Amateur Rugby League, held at the Old Edwardian Club in Johannesburg, Dave Southern was elected Chairman of the new body. It was a fitting assignment for Southern, who, with Anthony Barker, initiated the process of relaunching rugby league in South Africa. Born in Widnes, a rugby league stronghold located between Liverpool and Manchester, the task of reviving the 13-player code, was as natural as breathing. It all started in December 1988, when Southern met Barker from Wigan, in the Johannesburg Irish pub, called Fibber Maghees next to the Kyalami Racing circuit. Sharing the idea of starting rugby league locally Southern contacted, Harry Edgar from Open Rugby and Mr David Oxley, Rugby Football League Chairman, about assistance with launching the sport. The continued existence of apartheid and the lack of a rugby league World Development Officer to help complicated matters with no assistance forthcoming. 

Unperturbed, Southern and Barker took it upon themselves to set the ball rolling. A member of the Old Edwardians (Old Eds) Rugby Football Club in Johannesburg at the time, Southern used all their available resources to give impetus to the process. To determine potential interest from players, coaches, and administrators, an advertisement was placed in the Saturday Star. This brought at least 40 interested individuals into the process. They further received support from Star reporter, Rodney Hartman, who as a follow-up, wrote an article outlining further plans and desires. He also assisted with advertising the next meeting, which was to become the inaugural meeting at Old Edwardians, where the SA Amateur Rugby League was constituted and leadership elected. 
Started from a modest base, the SAARL operated from leased facilities with one paid official, Dave Southern, who was tasked with spreading the rugby league gospel in schools and the black townships. This was financed with the aid of income generated through a fundraising dinner. Limited financial support was also later received from the British Rugby League.

Southern served the organisation until June 1993.  After leaving SARL, he, together with Barry Haslam, and others established Mini League – a developmental program aimed at growing rugby league’s local base. In 1999, after a 12 –year stay in South Africa, Dave Southern moved to Ireland, where he became the inaugural chairman of Rugby League Ireland after its establishment in 2000.

By Hendrik Snyders