Radical re-shaping of the game

Members of professional Rugby League's ruling body, the Rugby League Council, today (Wednesday) gave the go-ahead for a radical re-shaping of the game that will start in December this year.

They agreed that for seasons 2002 and 2003 the Tetley's Super League membership will be a maximum of 12 clubs and no less than ten. That will take them through until the end of the current contract with broadcast partners BSkyB.

Starting in December this year the Association of Premiership Club members have agreed to play a nineteen-club competition lasting for 28 rounds with the addition of a brand new National Cup midway through the campaign.

Taking note of the APC's recommendation that they would not split into two divisions without the addition of a two clubs from Super League the Strategic Planning commission agreed that the RFL would seek a new 32nd member club.

If this was achieved at the end of the 2002 season the top nine clubs in the Premiership or National League would then play-off to decide who was promoted to Super League. The tenth position in the ten-strong National League One for 2003 would be decided by a play-off between clubs 10 to 15 in the 2002 competition.

From season 2003 onwards promotion would be one up-one down between Super League and National League One and National League to Nation League Two.

Also in season 2002 the British Amateur Rugby League Association have given clearance for their elite National Conference to apply for membership of a new summer competition, National League Three. There will be no promotion to National League Two for the amateurs as they do not want to take on professional opposition on a week-by-week basis.

In 2003 National League Four will be established with the more successful members from the Rugby League Conference, the sport's development areas summer league competition. Like National League Three there will be no promotion to National League Four with the former Conference clubs retaining their own position.

The Council also gave the go-ahead for amateur clubs to receive home advantage in the Challenge Cup when they are drawn against professional clubs. Currently they are forced to play away even if they are drawn at home.

The only condition is that if their own ground does not meet suitable criteria they must find a ground that does.

Super League Europe have agreed to pass on £500,000 over two years to the National League clubs. This will probably be £200,000 in 2002 and £300,000 in 2003.

The professional game's Academy will be re-designated from Under 18 players to Under 19 with three players over the age of 19 but under the age of 21 allowed to play.

For season 2002 there will be two Origin games - there was one in 2001 Yorkshire v Lancashire - and the tour by the New Zealand national side at the end of the season.

There could be a one-off Test between Australia and Great Britain midway through the 2002 season but this will be subject to confirmation with the Australian delegation at the Rugby League International Federation Executive meeting on November 22.

The club delegates also accepted a recommendation to create a new Broad of Directors comprised of members who have no club connection. This was actioned and by the time the next Council meeting is staged in January proposals for consideration have to presented.

Nigel Wood, the Rugby Football League's Director of Resources and Policy, said: "The Strategic Planning Commission received some welcome and constructive input from outside its focus groups and this was taken into consideration when we presented our findings to the Rugby Football League Board of Directors.

"We had a chance to look at our preliminary report of 118 recommendations and present the fundamental points to the Council.

"I believe the outcome of the Council meeting has taken the game forward . The unanimity displayed by the clubs has given us the prizes of an integrated, unified season,transparent promotion and relegation, a funding package for non-Super League clubs, a national competition hierarchy, a chance to look at how to stage meaningful representative and international rugby, an integrated player development system and other major benefits.

"We will now be able to drive onwards with making the changes work and then considering all the other fundamental changes we need to consider."

from the RL website http://www.rugby-league.org/