Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:06 pm  

How do we know what rules they are going to play by when they haven't been admitted to the league as yet.

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Wed Aug 31, 2011 7:21 pm  

Good point Stealth.

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Thu Sep 01, 2011 10:07 am  

The gap between the top of the championship and the bottom of championship 1 is too big. the current structure also gives all the teams something to play for promotion, relegation, play offs etc.
however I do agree that a 9 team division should not be an option. Playing teams 3 times in the league is not the way forward.
My proposal would be to promote the summer conference to championship 1 and split the current championship 1 between the championship and the new championship 1. This would increase both divisions to approx 15 teams.

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Thu Sep 01, 2011 12:57 pm  

That's the way it used to be Dovo. One Division.

Good idea though about splitting C1. Unfortunately, it's far too intelligent for the RFL to even consider taking it forward!

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Thu Sep 01, 2011 1:35 pm  

guess who wrote:

I really do fear for the game below SL.
Fans walking away. Big sponsors seem to be a thing of the past.

I agree. The S L "glass ceiling" has taken away that "dare to dream" attitude. It's interesting that the RFL did a survey of lower division fans wishes. I wonder what conclusions they have drawn?

It's fairly clear that a fair number of those in charge of SL clubs want us to form true feeder clubs but I can't make out the RFL's agenda on this. I sometimes get the impression that we are an inconvenience in the master scheme of things and the RFL would like to tidy us up into a neat manageable package without having to spend any money. If this is Feeder clubs then it will signal the death of semi pro rugby as we know it and isn't something I could watch.

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Thu Sep 01, 2011 3:50 pm  

Dreamer wrote:

I agree. The S L "glass ceiling" has taken away that "dare to dream" attitude. It's interesting that the RFL did a survey of lower division fans wishes. I wonder what conclusions they have drawn?

It's fairly clear that a fair number of those in charge of SL clubs want us to form true feeder clubs but I can't make out the RFL's agenda on this. I sometimes get the impression that we are an inconvenience in the master scheme of things and the RFL would like to tidy us up into a neat manageable package without having to spend any money. If this is Feeder clubs then it will signal the death of semi pro rugby as we know it and isn't something I could watch.

Do you think fans. Will want to keep going, with no real hope of getting in to SL?

Re: Back to the old 2nd Division then? : Fri Sep 02, 2011 10:45 am  

guess who wrote:

Do you think fans. Will want to keep going, with no real hope of getting in to SL?

There is no doubt in my mind that some fans have been put off, how many, I'm not sure.

If the RFL want vibrant competition in the lower leagues then they have to provide incentive not only for the teams but for the fans to see that the competition is worthwhile.

I see no reason, that with the right input, the lower leagues should not thrive. The point is, SL don't care about anything but themselves, and I'm not so sure about the RFL either.