LE reporting no P/R to be confirmed by Thursday, RFL wanting a £300k settlement which will go towards the running of an autumn competition. Some clubs (I presume Leigh and Featherstone), unhappy at this. Autumn Competition: an extra Cup or a shortened League with the Proper League starting in Feb?
Why not an Autumn play-off for Championship teams to win promotion, with round one played in groups based on current league positions; the winner of each group to play in a semi final; and the winners to play-off for SL place. Personally, I would prefer a 16 team Premiership (SL) with all four group winners being promoted and, assuming TWP don't return, the group second place teams to play-off for fifth promotion spot.
I am sure that this would generate tv interest and could be played in November/December to avoid losing furlough money for August/September. Clubs would also receive income from crowd receipts, assuming that this is permitted.
Just a thought!
TBH making SL a wide international league was always going to be a problem , growing with every new overseas team. This was and is particularly true when climate conditions make their home grounds unplayable.
But if the international idea is what is valued above all else let's stay with it.
If the NA teams are financed as generously as TWP was in the first instance then why not accept them into SL straight off. You could give each team a two or three 'no relegation' starter to allow them to settle. Most of their players would be seasoned ex SL or NRL players so that should be a relatively easy task.
The lowest UK based team would then be relegated into the Championship, which is the inevitable future anyway if the SL is to become truly 'international'. Thus we speed the International SL project on its way. If the supply of international teams dries up UK Championship teams can rise to SL again. Numbers will need to be regulated and may require more than one relegation team in a year. This will make the international nature of the league more apparent.
There are probably four or five budding new applicants from NA and Europe so the final mix will become short on UK teams unless a limit is imposed on non-UK teams.
Meanwhile the Championship can regain some stability instead of being used as a training ground for the international clubs. International travel will always be a problem for semi-pro teams because of work commitments, the RFL/SL must realise that.
Jobs are not going to be easy to come by over the next few years and clubs in our position will have all on to fund and recruit new signings. The slow addition of relegated SL sides will enhance the Championship standard and hopefully draw in more supporters. A TV deal for the Championship may well be an option if Sky are covering the International SL.
No doubt there are things that I haven't thought about! I am sure someone will point them out!
Rochdale and Halifax already saying they won't be playing in the Autumn Cup.
£35k for winning the conference, £20k for runner up and then another £35k for winning the final.
Be interesting to see how many actually take part....
Provided the money stacks up it could be a way back into the routine, but I would spell the options out to the players - have a go or concentrate on a long pre-season.
I cannot see how any club can make any money from this competition, even if they win it. If it is starting in October, then players would need to come out of furlough in September to get into training, thereby losing the Government funding of wages costs for September and October (70% and 60% respectively). In addition, there would be administrative, match day, testing and other costs. Even if spectators are let back in within social distancing guidelines from October, I am not sure that the competition would generate a great deal of interest.
Would players who have lined up contracts elsewhere want to risk playing? Would players not offered deals for 2021 want to play?
I guess that the club will make a decision based on the costs of participating and the views of Sheen and the players.
I would prefer we sorted out the 2021 squad and then started pre-season with some friendlies in November/December. It would probably have made more sense if the RFL had consulted clubs on the proposed competition before announcing it, but it is RFL!
As you say typical half-cock RFL effort. Injuries would be my worry too. Only exception is if the players need to stretch their legs. That could be satisfied with some off beat training ideas, just to break the boredom, with less injury risk.
Sheff and keighly not entering either
A weird situation with players taking up new contracts yet playing for the old club. You're hardly going to want them belting next year's talent!
LE reporting no P/R to be confirmed by Thursday, RFL wanting a £300k settlement which will go towards the running of an autumn competition. Some clubs (I presume Leigh and Featherstone), unhappy at this. Autumn Competition: an extra Cup or a shortened League with the Proper League starting in Feb?
Why not an Autumn play-off for Championship teams to win promotion, with round one played in groups based on current league positions; the winner of each group to play in a semi final; and the winners to play-off for SL place. Personally, I would prefer a 16 team Premiership (SL) with all four group winners being promoted and, assuming TWP don’t return, the group second place teams to play-off for fifth promotion spot. I am sure that this would generate tv interest and could be played in November/December to avoid losing furlough money for August/September. Clubs would also receive income from crowd receipts, assuming that this is permitted. Just a thought!
From who? Who is going to pay to show it (Even if they're allowed which is a big if), and who would either watch and/or pay to watch what won't even be up to the normal standard, which isn't usually great for a lot of games?
As sad as it is, RL is & was on it's arse financially anyway before this, especially those clubs not in SL & as soon as the furlough scheme ends 90% of these clubs will have to go bust and start again
Toulouse and Newcastle not bothering either
Huntley no
is this comp going to get off the ground ?
from what I have seen the only club favourable to it at the moment is batley
anyone else know more ?
Bradford are playing in it.
Bradford are playing in it.
Perhaps the think that they my be the only team in it and can claim the full prize money!!!!
The more I think about it, the more I would rather we rested and recruited for a good play-off qualifying season in 2021.
I mean, I would like us to win some silverware as in my lifetime we have the wonderful total of a NFP and 2 NRCs (and a Regal Trophy when I was just born!) but a hastily cobbled together Autumn Cup isn't all that!
What does everyone else think?
Concentrate on building the squad, a good pre-season, plenty of perfect practice and be ready for next season.
Notice that Rochdale have drawn attention to the need to declare that you are making a donation if you're not claiming a refund on your season ticket. That way the club can reclaim the VAT.