Robert Elstone highlights Patrice Evra as potential way to develop Super League
Competition's new chief executive also says he is open to consulting with Eddie and Barry Hearn while looking at the way the defender has gathered social media following
ROBERT Elstone is ready to consult with Eddie and Barry Hearn as he looks to revolutionise Super League – and take a leaf out of Patrice Evra’s book.
The promoters have both met interim Rugby Football League chief executive Ralph Rimmer as an effort to make the 13-a-side code’s stars more visible and promote event better goes on.
Now the new man in charge of the top flight is ready to follow suit and also copy West Ham star Evra’s social media impact as he looks to grow Super League’s crowds, impact and most importantly money.
Elstone said: “I’m really receptive to anyone who can help grow the game. I want my legacy to hand this game on to whoever takes over from me in better shape.
“I’m not precious about who can help me with that. I believe we need more energy, youth and dynamism in the sport.
“A bit like football - there’s a lot more older people in the corridors of power there and while I’m not young myself, hopefully I’ve got energy. We need people who are going to knock down doors and dedicate their careers to making that happen.
“I look at the game and think when we all turn and face one another, we’re very critical. Then we turn and face the outside world, we can’t understand why that guy doesn’t get it - and we have to change both mentalities.
“When we turn inwards we have to be more positive and when we turn outwards, we have to realise we’re not the only ones who are right. I talk to my mates and ask me to name me a famous player and they struggle. 10-15 years ago they would have done that.
“Building the profile of senior players is a real critical part of what we’re trying to do. My two boys come in all the time telling me to look at what Patrice Evra are doing - look at his following, it’s ginormous.
“But it’s no longer massively expensively to do that with social media and things like that. Our game is full of Patrice Evras. We’ve just got to work harder to bring them into the mainstream.”
Elstone’s appointment and ideas have caused rugby league to sound like it is on the brink of civil war, with Leeds Rhinos’ Gary Hetherington leading the backlash along with several Championship clubs that may be affected if the Super 8s concept is scrapped.
But Hull KR chairman Neil Hudgell hit back, saying: “When the current structure came in, it was on a 7-6 majority – Gary didn’t carp about that then. He’s making himself look a bit silly. It’s potentially an exciting time for the game – the product has become stale and it needs a new direction.”
