The Rugby Football League was founded in 1895 (not 1908 as stated in Manning?s article) when players from the North of England found that they could not afford financially to take time from work to play rugby (union).

Prior to the split, the Union was approached to see if they would recompense the players because the competition was becoming uneven.

The wealthy, landed gentry types from the South of England (who also ran the game) with plenty of money and time on their hands could train and play when they desired, but full time workers with families to feed were finding it difficult to keep up.

Needless to say, the Union declined to meet their demands and so at an historic meeting held in Huddersfield?s George Hotel, the decision was made to split from the Union.

The game that has evolved since that time is a fast, skilful and highly entertaining spectacle for anyone and everyone, young and old, to behold.

Rugby League is known as "the handling game," reflecting the amount of time that the ball is actually in play.

It was the first type ("code") of rugby to hold a World Cup (1954 in Paris where Great Britain defeated France by 16 points to 12), and has always strived to be innovative.

Indeed, many of the more recent innovations, such as the use of video technology and referees communicating via radio sets, have been copied by the Rugby Union game.

In an effort to compete with the popularity of the league game in the Southern Hemisphere, the Rugby Union developed a hybrid game and competition known as "The Super 12?s" with fewer confusing rules and reasons for frustrating penalty counts ? imitation is the sincerest form of flattery!!

The game in the UK (incidentally, it is played all over the British Isles, not just the North as stated by Manning) and Australia is expanding with crowd attendances and television viewing numbers rocketing.

This is due to the excellent entertainment that the fans enjoy from the sport, nothing more and nothing less.

Internationally, the game is played in many countries -- as far apart as Russia and the Lebanon -- and is always seeking to expand (there are currently plans to start a competition in the West Indies with coaching clinics being held in Trinidad and Tobago this coming December)

The main problem that Rugby League has had to overcome is bigotry and vindictiveness aimed at it for over a century (following it?s brave decision to go it alone), from some people associated with Rugby Union, in an effort to stop the spread of the game.

Manning?s article seems to be further testimony to this.

So when the USA Tomahawks play the Kangaroos on November 30 in Pennsylvania, go and see them and make up your own mind!

I know for a fact that you will see an exciting and easy to understand game played by outstanding athletes at a breathtaking speed.

Enjoy!