Summer Bash: Players’ efforts need more respect

The Summer Bash at Blackpool this year provided some fine entertainment from the players on the pitch.

Sadly, some of those efforts did not seem to be much appreciated by either spectators or broadcasters.

No TV coverage on Sky of the iPro Sport Cup final seemed to be something of an oversight, especially when Sheffield Eagles were 45 minutes late for the opening fixture of the weekend.

Apparently, this was partly due to an accident along the way which had caused a fire, leading to delays.

Which would have been fair enough if this was just another Championship game, but it was not.

It was a showpiece event – the only chance until the Middle Eights that Championship players get to show their skills on a wider TV stage.

A showpiece event starting 45 minutes late, however one chooses to spin it, is amateurish at best and chronically embarrassing at worst. Not a great start to the weekend.

If Championship clubs want to be treated as serious, professional entities, then things like planning for big events need to be handled better.

Not that there seemed to be anyone in the crowd for the game anyway, beyond the usual contingent of admirable diehards.

A figure of 15,912 for attendance over the two days looks impressive on paper. It certainly didn’t on television.

The players were turning out in front of empty stands, populated in sections by fans of the two teams playing.

Where were the fans of the other teams to help generate atmosphere?

Frequently, fans of Championship clubs like to bark that media outlets such as ours don’t give the Championshop enough coverage.

We like to think that we do, but perhaps those same fans should think about backing the game outside the Super League in general, rather than just backing their own favourite clubs.

No one seemed interested in any other game that wasn’t featuring their team, which was sad, and disrespectful to the players who worked so hard.

Sky’s scheduling also contributed to an impression that the whole thing was a bit slapdash and half-hearted.

The games jumped around between channels, especially on Sunday, which, again, felt like the broadcaster wasn’t really respecting the event.

Perhaps another broadcast partner is needed for the Championship. But then again, judging by the empty stands, who would want to shell out for something that seemed to be treated as sideshow even by the people who were actually there?

The concept is a good one, and Magic Weekend shows how it can work well. But one has to question whether it can work properly at this level of the game.

Magic itself is also grafted artificially into the Super League campaign, adding an extra game where it is not really needed.

Perhaps a better approach would be to combine Magic with the Summer Bash, and hold it as the first weekend after the split.

The Super Eights and Middle Eights teams can play their first fixtures on a big stage. The sense of occasion might also work in Championship teams’ favour when they take on Super League opposition too.

Perhaps more people would actually sit in the stands and watch the games then too.

Reaching the showpiece event would also add an extra layer of competition to the first part of the season for Championship clubs.

The Summer Bash turned up some entertaining rugby league from the players, but it is time their work was properly respected and the concept was treated with the seriousness it deserves.