Dressed for success?

Phil G - BBC Sport (U1646112) 21 January 2009
Source: BBC

I've gone all Trinny and Susannah today, but the focus of my discerning eye is not the clothes people wear but the venues for Super League's many media days.

While some clubs have gone for the simple and straightforward - the M&S suit, for example, if we are keeping the clothing analogy alive - others have gone for the flamboyant - Paul Smith/Ozwald Boateng - or the adventurous - think North Face or Berghaus.

Harlequins, for example, are heading for HMS President, located, so the Royal Navy's website says, "in a stunning position just downstream of Tower Bridge and overlooking the entrance to St Katharine's Dock.... one of the most coveted positions in the heart of London".

Celtic Crusaders, keen to woo the rugby league press as they prepare to make their Super League bow, plan to take journalists down the 'Big Pit' at the National Mining Museum of Wales in Blaenafon. If the likes of The Guardian's Andy Wilson or Christopher Irvine of The Times needed added incentive, coffee and bacon rolls will be served before the one-hour trip underground.

Not to be outdone, Super League itself plans to hold its launch at 'Altitude SW1', dubbed "London's ultimate location in the sky" by the venue's website. Situated on the banks of the River Thames and looking down on the London Eye, 'Altitude', which is situated on the 29th floor, boasts "white marble flooring, white walls and rich luxurious black leather banquette seating" with "impressive Banksy Art adorning the walls".

In contrast, Hull FC and Wakefield staged their respective media days at their grounds while Salford opted for the shopping mecca that is the Trafford Centre. Nothing wrong with those decisions - very prudent in such harsh economic times some would say - but it shows that there is a varied approach to the challenge of publicising a club and the sport of rugby league in general.

For the likes of Hull FC and Wakefield, there is not much more they can do in that regard. For Quins and the Crusaders, it's a different ball game entirely. The former is still working hard to increase its exposure and supporter base in the capital while the latter is keen to make further inroads into rugby league's consciousness after just three years in existence.

Whatever the aims and objectives for Super League's 14 clubs, I wish them all the best for 2009.