Rugby League Legend backs Challenge Cup Campaign

Rugby League legend, Martin Offiah has given his backing to the Supporters Direct Keep it Free for All campaign to keep the Rugby League Challenge Cup on the list of protected free-to-air TV events.  The recommendation to remove the event has come from the Government commissioned Davies Report and could see the Challenge Cup disappear from free-to-air TV altogether.

Offiah, who scored a record-breaking 501 tries throughout his career and is often remembered for his own 90 metre effort in the 1994 Cup Final, has now compiled the best tries from across the game into his new book, 50 of The Best.  He took time out to comment on the recommendation to remove the Challenge Cup from the list:

"The Challenge Cup is the competition players and supporters alike want to win.  It has provided some of the great moments in this country's sporting history and some of my favourite from my career.  It's also vital for the development of the game creating new supporters ever year.  Removing the Challenge Cup from the protected list could see it move away from free-to-air TV completely which would dramatically reduce the number of people able to see the game.  How can our great sport be expected to grow if nobody can see it?"

Supporters Direct are working in partnership with the All Party Parliamentary Rugby League Group (APPRLG) on the campaign and a 12 week consultation period is now open during which you can add your support to the campaign in a number of ways:

Sign the Petition: An online petition has been set up by Laura Harrison, Rugby League Development Officer for Supporters Direct at http://www.gopetition.com/online/32754.html. Be sure to add your name.

Respond to the Consultation directly: Further details of the consultation can be found at http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/consultations/6496.aspx giving you the chance to respond directly with your comments. 

We've drafted a letter for you to use at http://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ATd7byPUmVzIZGRkdDV2cDVfMjdjbW5weGprbQ&hl=en

Write to your MP: Almost 100 MPs have already signed Early Day Motion 48, a petition for politicians, supporting the campaign.  Please write to your MP and request that they do the same.  You can write to your MP quickly and easily at www.writetothem.com using the letter we've drafted for you at https://docs.google.com/Doc?docid=0ATd7byPUmVzIZGRkdDV2cDVfMjhnM3Ric2ZoZg&hl=en

Pass it on: Email details of this campaign to your fellow fans, friends, family. Tweet it, Facebook it, email it and text it. Let everyone know that they can do something to Keep the Cup Free for All but make sure you sign the petition at least.

We're all proud of the Challenge Cup as a celebration of the game of Rugby League. Let's make sure future generations have the same chance as us to celebrate.

To get more information on Supporters Direct, please visit www.supporters-direct.org.  For more information on Martin Offiah, please visit www.martinoffiah.co.uk



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Posted by J P 
on 18 January 2010, 1:39:08 PM

Hmmmmm To quote from above... "Removing the Challenge Cup from the protected list could see it move away from free-to-air TV completely..." The keyword there is *COULD*, not WILL. *Personally* I don't understand what the fuss is about. Maybe someone can elighten me? At the end of the day it's the Rights Holder who decides which bid to accept. If the Rights Holder choose to take the highest bid (with the potential of less viewers should it be a non-FTA channel) then we, the fans, will know exactly who to blame. Keeping the Cup protected means those in charge can wash their hands of any responsibility. If they really believe what they say then they can prove it with their actions - pick a terrestrial channel whatever amount is offered by Sky, Virgin etc... Just my 2c worth...

Supporters Direct reply:

You do raise a valid point when you state that the removal of the Challenge Cup from free-to-air TV is not guaranteed.  However, it does significantly raise the risk of this happening.  The majority of rugby league supporters do not want to end up in a situation where they have someone to 'blame' for the competition being shown on pay TV as by that time the damage will already have been done.  This issue is not about money, it is about the development of the game - something that will be substantially more difficult if the Challenge Cup is removed from free-to-air TV. 

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For further information about the contents of this news article, please contact:

Laura Harrison