As the longest serving BARLA Chair, I feel now is the time to hand over to a new leader, to build on what has been achieved in my eight and a half years tenure and take the association to new levels.

With our tenants Unison, I feel that BARLA has secured its financial future and with the Unison investment of £175.000 within the office complex at West Yorkshire House, we have been left with a modern, disabled friendly building, that we can all be proud of.

I complete these notes having just returned from BARLA’s Fylde Fiesta – our National Cup weekend and despite a lack of support from the wider rugby league fraternity, the BARLA National Cups have been a huge success. Our two days on the Fylde coast were blessed with very good weather which enhanced the four top quality finals on display, plus a great display from the Ladies of Lancashire and Yorkshire who closed the weekend with the WRLA County State of Origin Challenge.

Indeed BARLA is indebted to the generosity of the sponsors who have contributed to our National Cups; ACE Insurance Europe Ltd. Pennine Trophies, Xamax, XBlades, all who have contributed to bring BARLA National Cup competitions the success that they deserve. I look forward to BARLA continuing to benefit from their support in the future years.

My congratulations go out wholeheartedly to all the winners of the National Cups; Wigan St Patricks (Under 14’s) Stanningley (Under 16’s) Leigh East (Under 18’s) and of course the Yorkshire Ladies who managed to edge the WRLA County State of Origin Challenge. I would also like to extend my thanks to all the clubs and leagues that have supported the BARLA National Cup competitions over the past 12 months; your support has helped to make the competitions the success that they were.

This year has seen the launch of the tremendous new initiative, “Tops4Teams” in which a consortium made up of; Help-Link, Plumb Centre, Worcester Bosch and Xamax, gave away to BARLA affiliated clubs, an incredible 114 playing strips. From myself and the BARLA Board of Management I offer our sincere thanks. From the feedback received from clubs, the sponsors are looking to repeat the initiative sometime in the future.

The Three Counties competition (BARLA County Tri-Series) goes from strength to strength and congratulations are due to Cumbria who won the open age along with the under 19’s competitions and Lancashire who also had a brace of successes with the over 35’s and the under 17’s levels both going the way of the Red Rose.

I’m very pleased to welcome on board a new sponsor to the Counties competitions as this coming year, three new trophies have been generously gifted to the competitions by Ian Cushnie of Castleford Medical Supplies (CMS)

Ian also has involved himself with the BARLA Bulldogs (over 35’s) International team, who I’m sure will benefit from the guidance from Ian’s experience as he has a long association with the amateur game following a stint as a professional. As well as the relationship CMS have with BARLA, many clubs and leagues have benefitted first-hand from the generosity of the Featherstone Company.

With the mention of Internationals, BARLA continues to expand and develop rugby league globally with its representative sides. BARLA Emerging Lions (under 17’s) BARLA Young Lions (under 19’s) BARLA Pumas (under 21’s) BARLA Cougars (under 23’s) and of course the open age BARLA Lions.

It still puzzles me as to why the RFL Community Board still insists on operating with the England Lions – if that is still the title they go under – when BARLA provides and has done for over 35 years, the global expansion and opportunities for amateur players, at no cost to the RFL.

This needless, replication of BARLA International expansion is an item that should be made priority on the Community Board International Group’s (CBIG) agenda.

During my many experiences along with BARLA Great Britain International Manager Mick Turner, a common factor that emerges during our stay in the many countries that we have toured together is that everyone wants to play against BARLA. We are a world renowned organisation.

BARLA’s international reputation is both worldwide and legendary providing top class opposition for many, many countries and thousands of players over many years of outgoing and welcoming foreign tours to our shores. This has helped to develop rugby league not only in Great Britain but all over the world and has helped Great Britain to produce many fine players at the highest level in rugby league.

I was once asked by a CEO of the RFL, “What purpose do BARLA serve?” As I pointed out at that time that the current Great Britain squad of 26 players, 25 of these had come through the BARLA ranks. The 26th man was from the South Pacific so it was more than likely, that he had been touched by the influence of the BARLA International expansion.

Once again in this my final year as BARLA Chair, we had a very deserving crop of recipients in the BARLA Annual Awards at the association’s Annual Awards Evening Dinner at the Cedar Court, Bradford. I rate this along with the BARLA National Finals as a highlight of the BARLA year and a great evening was had by all as we gathered to celebrate the deserving winners. The winners this year – and to coin a phrase from a popular TV talent show – in no particular order were:

Silver Boot: Eileen Bright (Woolston Rovers, Warrington ARL, NWC Juniors registrations)

Tom Keaveney Award: Sue Taylor (Huddersfield ARL)
Club of the Year: Waterhead ARLFC

Team of the Year: Featherstone Lions ARLFC Under 17’s

Open Age Coach: Tony Spence (Myton Warriors, Yorkshire County ARL, BARLA Great Britain)

Youth Coach: John Bond (Shaw Cross Sharks Under 18’s)
Best Club Media: Methley Royals

Best League Media: Scott McLachlan Yorkshire Combination Youth

Unsung Hero: Stephen ‘Jonti’ Thompson (York Acorn)

BARLA Man of Steel: Jordan White (Oldham St Annes)

BARLA Veteran Player: Mark Forster (Bank Quay Bulls)

BARLA International Youth Player: Jordan Houghton (Thatto Heath Crusaders ARLFC)

BARLA International Player of the Year Under 21’s: James Delaney (Dewsbury Moor ARLFC)

BARLA International Player of the Year Under 23’s: James Barker (Milford Marlins ARLFC)

BARLA International Open Age Player of the Year: John Paul Brocklebank (Egremont Rangers)

BARLA International Veteran Player of the Year: Safraz Jama (Leigh East ARLFC)

The Eric Hawley Award: David Thompson (Wigan St Patricks)

BARLA Ladies Player of the Year: Tara Stanley (Widnes Vikings Ladies)

BARLA International Under 17’s Player of the Year: Tom Battye (Castleford Panthers ARLFC)

As I end my tenure as BARLA Chair there are still unresolved issues to be given attention. Currently, the RFL’s plans for one overall set of operational rules remains a major topic. Whilst BARLA embraces the RFL draft operational rules in principal, there are still several hurdles to overcome. One such item is the issue of insurance.

While it makes sense that all clubs should be with one insurer, BARLA have an excellent relationship and have been provided with a, “second to none service” from its current provider Bluefin Sport under whose guidance, BARLA have been able to deliver top quality insurance cover benefits. In the time with Bluefin Sport the Total Permanent Disability cover has graduated from £50,000 to £215,000. This massive rise in cover was achieved at absolutely no extra cost to the clubs’ premium. Another insurance positive was the move of premium renewal in 2011 from October, to a new 1st January to 31st December schedule. Again the price of the 3 month bridging period was achieved at no cost to the clubs. This after being advised at the RFL Community Board that a switch in renewal dates would prove far too costly.

BARLA’s introduction to Bluefin Sport followed an unfortunate episode which saw our previous broker virtually abandon a BARLA tour in 2008, which left a party of over 60 BARLA players and officials to fend for themselves and find their own way back from Italy. At the time of renewing their current insurance premiums, BARLA were advised there would be no rise in cost. As a matter of courtesy BARLA advised that they were talking to a competitor and within 24 hours the overall premium cost had been slashed by £20,000.

BARLA transferred its business to Bluefin Sport (at that time they were known as Smart & Cook) a company that has a nationwide spread with offices in all areas of the country and the service provided by them since 2008 has never fell short of first class and has never seen a rise in premiums. These current prices have been agreed until 2014.

On a development note, I am pleased to say that despite an amount of opposition, I was delighted to lead support for the new Cumbria Men’s Amateur Rugby League which has resulted in BARLA underwriting the launch of the new league to a tune of £6,000. Currently the feedback that BARLA are receiving from the Cumbrian initiative which has joined teams from Barrow ARL with West Cumbria teams is very positive which endorses fully, BARLA’s decision to back the league. The hard working officials from Barrow ARL and Cumberland ARL should be applauded for their foresight in uniting their county and their positive vision which looks to have secured a positive future for that particular area.

The Four Seasons Rugby initiative has still in my mind a long way to go until it justifies the summer rugby element, but BARLA will continue to support clubs regardless of what time of year they choose to play in. There are mixed messages on the summer switch with some clubs indicating their enjoyment for the change but worryingly, there is a groundswell of disapproval from treasurers bemoaning the big drop in income that the inaugural season recorded in many club houses.

Worryingly as well is the effect that this summer switch has had on the CMS Yorkshire ARL which did not operate last season and likewise, the North West Counties ARL that suffered a massive demise with teams moving to an RFL administered summer based men’s league in those areas of the country.

More crucial to the game’s future in my mind however is the worrying state of youth/junior in all areas of the “heartlands” which has come about following last season’s summer switch with teams folding with alarming regularity in all areas. As a result the West Riding Youth ARL will be closed for business at the end of the 2012/2013 season, while over in the east of the country, Hull Youth ARL have recorded an all time low in registrations. These occurrences are also causing some concern for the Yorkshire Combination Youth ARL, as clubs are tiptoeing through the uncertainties and confusion evolving with the summer switch

Positives however can be taken from the demise of these unfortunate BARLA member leagues as Pennine ARL have picked up the pieces and broadened their boundaries. While Hull ARL are also seeing an influx of “second teams” opting to re-join their league in preference to a summer based league. Also Yorkshire Youth ARL are battling through and offering places for any clubs that are left out on a limb.

Although the decision to unify the game was made democratically with a 19 – 9 vote in favour, I feel that many member leagues did not have a full understanding as to what they were actually voting for. It’s my opinion that in a short period of time following unification that promises made were being broken. One such agreement was that the RFL Services, formerly BARLA Services and now Community Game Services would facilitate BARLA’s needs. This pledge soon evaporated as despite the agreement to unify between BARLA and the RFL, a wedge was rapidly driven firmly, between the two organisations.

Throughout my tenure I have always encouraged BARLA to embrace the unification agreement through much resistance from diehards, but one move that has brought a huge cloud over the whole affair is the recommendation from the RFL Community Board to reduce the BARLA vote on the RFL Council from 3 to just 1 solitary place. This despite the 3 RFL Council seats being written into the unification benefits and supposedly set in stone in an agreement made in good faith by BARLA President Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract with Richard Lewis. The very timing of the move to reduce BARLA’s representation so close to the sad demise of the late Lord Lofthouse hangs a cloud and naturally casts aspersions over the whole affair.

Sadly despite support from the All Parliamentary Rugby League Group, the decision was implemented. However I’ve learned since, that several professional clubs have apologised stating that they didn’t fully understand the proposals and the implications resulting from the decision.

Whilst my style is not one of denigration it is perhaps invidious to criticise on these grounds, however I had a taste of the RFL Community Board administration style when, after the BARLA Board of Management’s decision to appoint me as Malcolm Sellers successor as BARLA’s Community Board representative, I received the agenda and around 30 sheets of A4 documentation just 48 hours prior to the meeting. My second scheduled meeting was made known to me the day before, when I read about it in the trade press.

Although seeking personal accolades is not my style as I’m well known as being a team player, I was deeply touched at a very recent meeting of the, All Parliamentary Rugby League Group at Westminster, when I was bestowed the great honour of receiving life membership of that organisation. I hold that on par with the honour of being made a BARLA life member in 1990 and receiving the Tom Keaveney MBE award in 1995/96. I hold these honours in great esteem and are true highlights of my time with amateur rugby league.

Sadly with over 55 years in amateur rugby league management and administration it is inevitable that friends will come and sadly be lost. However the last 18 months have dealt me a massive blow in losing three friends who have had a massive influence on my involvement over the years. John Pattinson, Harold Swift MBE and Lord Lofthouse of Pontefract, Geoff to his friends, have all left us. Their assistance and influence to me over the years has been tremendous, I miss them greatly.

Although I have chosen to end my time as BARLA Chair, my commitment to the association will continue. It is my desire to remain within the management as the Senior Vice President. I would like now to place on record my sincere thanks to all the BARLA Board of Management past and present and to the many member leagues that have supported my initiatives during my time in office.

Spen Allison
BARLA Chairman