Alan
In many ways I think the best thing we can do as fans is turn up to games and show our support. With that in mind, I will be going to a match in each round of the challenge cup, starting with Round 1 in January and all the way to Wembley.
In terms of the wider game, I would like us to value each competition more equally, there are only three major prizes you can win so let’s celebrate them! That means clubs, media and fans recognising the differing challenge of winning each and making a fuss about it. There is much talk about only four different winners of the grand final but the spread of success is much greater if we think about all 3 competitions, by my reckoning of the 12 teams in super league next year 8 have won one of the three trophies in the past 10 years.
Mark
My personal Rugby League resolution is similar to the one I make every year (and break most years!). To get out to games at all levels and enjoy them as a neutral. For me in 2019, that will also include the Women's Super League as well as the usual League 1, Championship and Super League. I will see at least two games in person at each level. For Super League, I will see at least two neutral games in person. If you want to catch a game with me, let me know.
For the wider game, my resolution would be for us to put more attention on the players. That doesn't just mean in the good sense either. But for fans, it means hold the players accountable for wins and losses, not the referees. For TV producers, it means cut the reaction or celebration of the players when something happens, not the coaches. For the governing body, grab a hold of those England players, or those highlight reel players, and get them out there in public, in the faces and minds of the next generation of fan. For the press, speak to the players more, tell their stories, their histories, talk up their highlights and their value. And for the players themselves, don't cheat your opponents, make it about what you can do, not what you can get away with!
*I've been thinking about it and I wanted to add another one to my list. I'm going to endeavour to share/retweet any and all player profiles or interviews that I come across on social media. We spoke about making players superstars on the recent SLP Debate Club episode, and I think making sure we spread what coverage we get as far as we can will help! And, we might just encourage media outlets to give Rugby League more and better coverage by giving them link-clicks and social media 'impressions'.*
Sarah
For me personally, it's to try and get the balance between two non-rugby loving children and watching as many games as I can with my rugby mad third child!
For the game as a whole, simply lets stop shooting our selves in the foot. There are enough people out there to give us bad publicity so let’s not add to it.
Tim
I hope we look outward rather than inward. Think of the most talked about games from the last couple of years - New Zealand vs Tonga, The Million Pound Game and The Challenge Cup Final - they've all had one thing in common, an international dimension. Therefore let's play this up and keep making opportunities for our best players to do their thing. This international flavour is something we can make our own so let's keep letting people know we're here!
Personally I'm going to introduce more people to the game this year. I've already got some plans for family and friends and I'd urge you to do the same! I'd also like to get to some games I wouldn't normally go to, life permitting!
There's our resolutions. Feel free to share yours with us.
As always, thanks for reading and Happy New Year to you all!
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