if there is such a big interest in the game in Canada/NA and a tv deal is there for the taking, why can't those backing TWP/Ottawa/NY put their money and efforts into building the Canadian/NA league?
That would seem the way to go, surely.
They have cash and would still attract UK players and also some NRL too. That would probably be cheaper than switching everything to Leigh etc. They could also fit into their climate better and make their own league rules.
Now that Toronto are definitely out, just wait for the bids from the championship contenders wanting the prized 12th SL spot.
I expect Toulouse to be promoted because they were top of the table when our season ended and it also defuses the “anti-expansionist” argument. But for other reasons Leigh and Featherstone will be outraged if it’s not them!
If the SL decide to invite bids for the 12th spot, my guess is that it will either be London or Toulouse.
An alternative would be to have a pre-season knock out tournament involving all 14 Championship Clubs, based on 2020 final league positions.
My guess is that they will play with a 11 team league in 2021 with no relegation and two promoted from the Championship in 2022, or even revert to a licensing system in 2022 inviting bids for entry to the SL. They could even stick with their own criteria this time, including a decent ground, financial viability, Academies etc
How on earth do we have a situation where the RFL have one vote, the same as each SL club ? Tail wagging the dog.
I'm a little bit disappointed,I would have preferred Toronto to be reinstated then watch it go t1ts up again, mid season or pre season.
If 12th spot goes to an application process then I hope Widnes don't waste time and effort because we are years off at the moment.
I assume that Hull KR were in the 8 who voted Toronto out of SL, so what action can they expect now that they too have cancelled their season?
I assume that Hull KR were in the 8 who voted Toronto out of SL, so what action can they expect now that they too have cancelled their season?
As far as I am aware, both HKR and Salford are paying their players and are still viable clubs, unlike TWP.
I assume that Hull KR were in the 8 who voted Toronto out of SL, so what action can they expect now that they too have cancelled their season?
None, absolutely none. They aren't fulfilling their last 3 fixtures due to a Covid outbreak & the timescales for isolations?! Nothing to do with finances. Prob only missed as many games as Cas or Catalans!
I do wonder what the result of the vote would have been had Toronto not insisted on a share of the money.
With the Sky money either going down, or reportedly going down it would make more sense for clubs to want to get rid of another club at end of next year and go to a 10 team league, just so they can keep a similar amount of £ per season!!
I assume that Hull KR were in the 8 who voted Toronto out of SL, so what action can they expect now that they too have cancelled their season?
As far as I am aware, both HKR and Salford are paying their players and are still viable clubs, unlike TWP.
The UK taxpayer paid their wages as they did for all the other superleague clubs aside from Catalan and Toronto, as i mentioned a few ago Salford are on the brink, expect an announcement soon now that both they and HKR have had their vote
If I was a lower end SL chairman, then I would want an 11 team league, with no relegation next year.
No way will an expansion club be replaced by a nothern club such as Leigh or Featherstone.Not a chance.They may as well not bother trying.
See Bradford and Halifax have indicated that they will throw their hat in the ring. Widnes should show their ambition and if they meet the criteria, should go for it. It doesn't matter that it is likely to be Toulouse - a viable expansion into Europe - but it would show that Widnes still consider that we are a top club and have ambitions to have a rightful place in the top league.
See TWP are talking about re-applying in 2022, but only want SL. The RFL/SL need to take on board the independent report indicating that the transatlantic expansion was not viable and advise TWP, Ottawa and NY that the transatlantic expansion fantasy ends now. They can concentrate of developing and growing the Canadian/NA league if the support and tv deals are there.
The RFL/SL (under a single management structure) should appoint an independent body to review why TWP were allowed in by the RFL without any review of the viability of a transatlantic league and the likelihood of making inroads into the NA broadcasting market. They could also consider and make proposals for a strategy to expand the game in the UK/Europe.
See Bradford and Halifax have indicated that they will throw their hat in the ring. Widnes should show their ambition and if they meet the criteria, should go for it. It doesn’t matter that it is likely to be Toulouse – a viable expansion into Europe – but it would show that Widnes still consider that we are a top club and have ambitions to have a rightful place in the top league. ....
Agreed. Given the opportunity we should apply.
No "ifs or buts" - 0n our day we are as good as any team in our league.
Only one club has been kicked into touch, the team representing the Canadian capital is still slated to play all their games in the UK next season.
I wonder what the ex-Vikings players who have joined Ottawa Aces are thinking now about their playing prospects? It must be a very worrying time for everyone working for the club both on and off the pitch.
Rimmer and the RFL board have a lot to answer for.
Is that the end for them, or will they play in the Championship/L1?
I reckon we’ve seen the last of ’em mate, coz I can’t see a backer coming in for non SL football. As I’ve said before, I loved my trips over there, was made hugely welcome by their fans, and it’s they who’ve been kicked in the wotsits. Their team has been taken from them, through no fault of their own, and will now be lost to the game. Spelly.
Spelly you may have enjoyed your time over there but in reality it was a bunch of UK & Aussie players & coaches based in Canada but not a Canadian team. Also IMO the vast distances in travel & them being unable to play at home until well into the season because of the weather conditions also meant it was doomed to fail. It has happened sooner than I expected due to Covid but IMO was only a matter of time.