Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Thu Aug 24, 2017 5:00 pm  

[part quote="Bullseye"]
As Norman says there's no perfect solution. You have to have some movement up and down.

Norms right because among other things there is a conflict of interest.

Part of the solution for Championship clubs would include some movement up and down.

Part of the solution for SL clubs would include no movement up or down.

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Thu Aug 24, 2017 7:40 pm  

faxcar wrote:

[part quote="Bullseye"]
As Norman says there's no perfect solution. You have to have some movement up and down.

Norms right because among other things there is a conflict of interest.

Part of the solution for Championship clubs would include some movement up and down.

Part of the solution for SL clubs would include no movement up or down.

Yep, turkeys voting for Christmas.

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Fri Aug 25, 2017 7:20 am  

I think the if the RFL gave more money to Championship clubs from central funding the lower league clubs would be able to afford better players, training and maybe more clubs going full time. Raising the standard of the league and closing the gap between the upper and lower competitions. The more full time clubs we have in the Championship the better standard of rugby, more interest from new and old fans, larger crowds and more revenue generated by the clubs themselves. But the RFL don't really give a sh*te about the lower leagues which is a shame.

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Fri Aug 25, 2017 9:21 am  

The RFL are indifferent to Championship Clubs as we know its Super Greed & Sky that determine how things are run.
Especially certain Club Chairmen who don't want their cosy little cartels and status quo disturbed

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Fri Aug 25, 2017 9:51 am  

There are only so many "better players" around, although more funding for Championship teams could potentially mean more reserve squads being formed, which should increase the overall size of the player pool. Having more full time teams in the Championship would certainly increase skill levels, but if every team was full time, then some pretty decent players (the ones who want to keep their other job) would need to go and play in Championship 1, thus decreasing the number of available players again.

It's not a straightforward equation.

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Fri Aug 25, 2017 9:59 am  

This weeks press states any changes will be decided in 2018 and come into force in 2019.

If a new form of licensing is introduced it will be interesting to see what the criteria will be and how the RFL maneuver things.

If it is tick boxes A,B,C and D and using things as they stand now and all the existing 12 SL clubs do, and in addition HKR, Toulouse, Toronto, London do, then what, 16 teams in SL and if not why not if they tick the box.

I suspect it will be rigged and the RFL will make the boxes fit their chosen clubs as opposed to making the clubs tick the boxes in an open fair fashion and then the door will be shut again.

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Fri Aug 25, 2017 10:16 am  

faxcar wrote:

This weeks press states any changes will be decided in 2018 and come into force in 2019.

If a new form of licensing is introduced it will be interesting to see what the criteria will be and how the RFL maneuver things.

If it is tick boxes A,B,C and D and using things as they stand now and all the existing 12 SL clubs do, and in addition HKR, Toulouse, Toronto, London do, then what, 16 teams in SL and if not why not if they tick the box.

I suspect it will be rigged and the RFL will make the boxes fit their chosen clubs as opposed to making the clubs tick the boxes in an open fair fashion and then the door will be shut again.

Where are the extra 100 or so $uperleague standard players going to come from ?

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Fri Aug 25, 2017 10:24 am  

griff1998 wrote:

Where are the extra 100 or so $uperleague standard players going to come from ?

Exactly, but we can't let logic get in the way of progress the RFL way.

If it means expansion back into the capital, another team in France and one in Canada filled with more second rate Antipodeans, current fringe players and a few junior lads to make up the numbers, objective achieved, problem solved and everyone gets to keep their cushy little status all in the name of progress.

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Fri Aug 25, 2017 3:04 pm  

faxcar wrote:

Exactly, but we can't let logic get in the way of progress the RFL way.

If it means expansion back into the capital, another team in France and one in Canada filled with more second rate Antipodeans, current fringe players and a few junior lads to make up the numbers, objective achieved, problem solved and everyone gets to keep their cushy little status all in the name of progress.

<sigh>

Re: 2021 - return of licencing? : Sat Aug 26, 2017 5:09 pm  

My thoughts on the governance of the game by the RFL and certain SL Chairmen are well documented previously. This just looks like another attempt to take us back to the days of franchise and mergers. Indeed reading an article today looks like New York are now being considered for the league structure.Where will it all end?
Just marginalising the smaller clubs and devaluing the inclusive for all values of the game that have held this great game together for over a century in my opinion.
Top league could be Catalan, Tolouse, London, Toronto, New York, Wigan, Saints, Leeds, Bradford and the rest will have to survive on the crumbs etc. Closed shop/mergers?
Break away leagues looming if all this comes off?
Only time will tell.