GRM SPORT WILL NOT RETURN IN 2024. HERE'S WHY...
GRM SPORT will not return in 2024 and is set for an extended break.
Statement from GRM SPORT Founder, Shawn Boatin:
In 2017, I established GRM SPORT to bring a cinematic perspective to amateur rugby, a venture which had never been seen before in the UK.
My initial video, captured my amateur Rugby Union club, gaining a modest 800 views. Humorously, I thought it had gone viral! Little did I know that this was just the beginning.
Fast forward a few years, and my videos, (especially in 2019 pre-COVID), were reaching hundreds of thousands of views each. Things started off in the summer of 2017 when I covered West Hull U16s take on Siddal and later, Methley Warriors, featuring future rugby stars Mikey Lewis and Morgan Smithies. These videos, posted on social media, amassed thousands of views, marking the official birth of GRM SPORT.
What’s next for GRM SPORT?
Last year I returned to the side-lines to film season 6 after a year-long hiatus following the birth of my daughter, I travelled to new clubs such as Wath Brow and Blackbrook Royals, uncovering remarkable talent featured in the End of Season Top 40.
Despite some success in 2023, various factors, including declining viewership, family commitments, Rugby League’s dwindling appeal on the World Stage, and a lack of content evolution, led to the decision to pause GRM SPORT indefinitely.
For our younger readers, "pausing indefinitely" means taking a break without a set date to resume, allowing for flexibility and the potential for a future return.
I am likely to return to filming amateur sports in the future with a few ideas in early development
In the meantime... I'll be maintaining my role as the Media and PR manager of the Hull League. Most Hull-based clubs will still see me out and about. However, it's likely that the broader rugby league community won’t have the same visibility in my content.
I extend heartfelt thanks to the parents, coaches, players, sponsors, and viewers who contributed to the growth of this unique platform. Creating something extraordinary in the community has been an absolute pleasure, and I look forward to the next chapter in the future.
A special mention goes to John Mooney who has been a core member of the GRM SPORT team since our first launch, and Tom Brindle of the RFL who has supported this platform for many years.
Our content will remain online across social media as an archive to some great sporting moments.