72 replies to this topic

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

New Structure Diagram

New structure for the community game proposed

Rugby League’s goal of creating a fully joined up season structure for the whole sport has taken a significant step forward with the unveiling of a proposed new framework for the community game.

The proposed pyramid structure would see two tiers of the community game in the form of National Leagues and Regional/Local Leagues providing the foundations for the Championships and Super League.

“This is very important for Rugby League because for the first time everyone would have a clear idea of what the pyramid for the community game looks like,” said RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood.

“It’s a logical progression that would provide high quality competition for Rugby League players of all standards and abilities and allow everyone to drive the game forward towards the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and beyond.

“This is a significant juncture in the sport’s development and I am sure all the community clubs will engage in the upcoming consultation process to ensure that players at all levels of Rugby League can be the best they can be.”

The third tier of the structure below Super League and the Championships, the National Leagues, will be split geographically into North and South regions into which nine regional leagues will feed. This level will consist of entirely summer based competitions.

Varying levels of movement between the individual tiers, be it through licensing or promotion and relegation, will be encouraged.

In addition, the fourth tier, the regional and local leagues, will be predominantly summer based but will also include winter competitions that will continue to be administered through the present arrangements.

All clubs will be assessed across a range of criteria to ensure they meet minimum standards which relate to the tier in which they operate.

For example, all Super League clubs must meet the stringent licensing criteria to stay at the top of Rugby League pyramid whilst lower down in the regional leagues, clubs will be graded on criteria including the enclosure of their pitch, on-site dressing room provision and the achievement of Clubmark status.

The Community Board unanimously agreed to support proposals for a four-tiered structure at a meeting on September 24 which was chaired by RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood.

This structure which embraces both the professional and community levels of the game is designed to achieve more attendances, viewers, participants and income for the whole sport.

The proposed new season structure has been presented to community club and league officials at a series of meetings.

There will now follow a period of formal consultation with the whole community game which will give everyone the chance to have their say and feedback on the proposal. Full details regarding this consultation process will be announced shortly.

The proposed new season structure would be implemented no earlier than March 2012.

Click on this link http://www.therfl.co...ploads/7473.jpg to see the proposed community game season structure.


New Structure Diagram

[LONGMAN]

New Structure Diagram

New structure for the community game proposed

Rugby League’s goal of creating a fully joined up season structure for the whole sport has taken a significant step forward with the unveiling of a proposed new framework for the community game.

The proposed pyramid structure would see two tiers of the community game in the form of National Leagues and Regional/Local Leagues providing the foundations for the Championships and Super League.

“This is very important for Rugby League because for the first time everyone would have a clear idea of what the pyramid for the community game looks like,” said RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood.

“It’s a logical progression that would provide high quality competition for Rugby League players of all standards and abilities and allow everyone to drive the game forward towards the 2013 Rugby League World Cup and beyond.

“This is a significant juncture in the sport’s development and I am sure all the community clubs will engage in the upcoming consultation process to ensure that players at all levels of Rugby League can be the best they can be.”

The third tier of the structure below Super League and the Championships, the National Leagues, will be split geographically into North and South regions into which nine regional leagues will feed. This level will consist of entirely summer based competitions.

Varying levels of movement between the individual tiers, be it through licensing or promotion and relegation, will be encouraged.

In addition, the fourth tier, the regional and local leagues, will be predominantly summer based but will also include winter competitions that will continue to be administered through the present arrangements.

All clubs will be assessed across a range of criteria to ensure they meet minimum standards which relate to the tier in which they operate.

For example, all Super League clubs must meet the stringent licensing criteria to stay at the top of Rugby League pyramid whilst lower down in the regional leagues, clubs will be graded on criteria including the enclosure of their pitch, on-site dressing room provision and the achievement of Clubmark status.

The Community Board unanimously agreed to support proposals for a four-tiered structure at a meeting on September 24 which was chaired by RFL Chief Executive Nigel Wood.

This structure which embraces both the professional and community levels of the game is designed to achieve more attendances, viewers, participants and income for the whole sport.

The proposed new season structure has been presented to community club and league officials at a series of meetings.

There will now follow a period of formal consultation with the whole community game which will give everyone the chance to have their say and feedback on the proposal. Full details regarding this consultation process will be announced shortly.

The proposed new season structure would be implemented no earlier than March 2012.

Click on this link http://www.therfl.co...ploads/7473.jpg to see the proposed community game season structure.


New Structure Diagram

Where abouts do the three divisions of the NCL fit into this structures diagram.

[bowes]

Where abouts do the three divisions of the NCL fit into this structures diagram.

National North Premier, Division 1 and 2 would be about 95% the same as the NCL as far as I can tell.

I take it the South Division 1 and 2 below the Premier are very much a long term plan and not happening in 2012?

[LONGMAN]

National North Premier, Division 1 and 2 would be about 95% the same as the NCL as far as I can tell.

I take it the South Division 1 and 2 below the Premier are very much a long term plan and not happening in 2012?

No change there then.

[bowes]

No change there then.

It's a bit different because there will be the north west and north east below it and presumably different standards (the NCL was already talking about relaxing standards to get more teams in it)

[Roy Haggerty]

I don't really understand this. While it looks pretty as a diagram, it seems detached from reality. The bottom are "regional premier" divisions - does this mean there are regional divisions below them ? Or are we now calling our very bottom pub-standard merit competitions "premier" ?

Assuming that the regional premier divisions are what we currently call the regional divisions, then it seems to be suggesting that there are between 21 and 42 clubs who can slot into National Premier South, and Nat. South 1&2. I'm fairly sure if you took every currently established club South of Sheffield, you'd struggle a bit to get to 42. That wouldn't leave a lot left for the "regional premier".

Also, who'd play in these divisions ? Are we really suggesting three divisions of clubs taking in a potential geographic area stretching from Wolverhampton to Ipswich to Brighton to Plymouth ? The SE regional division this year couldn't cope with even a fraction of that travelling, as Swindon found out.

Fundamentally the structure we have is fine, below the RLCN level - Premier and Regional divisions in reasonably tight (should be tighter) geographic areas provide different levels of competition. I suppose one could make an argument for a higher tier encompassing the whole south, for those elite clubs in east, SE, West and Midlands who fancy the travelling, but 3 higher tiers is nonsense. This concerns me a lot. I'm hoping it's just a thinkpiece.

[LONGMAN]

It's a bit different because there will be the north west and north east below it and presumably different standards (the NCL was already talking about relaxing standards to get more teams in it)

Ive not heard that one about relaxing the standard criterea.

That would be a bad move and i believe it wont happen, the clubs need to up their standards not the league to lower theres.

[bowes]

I don't really understand this. While it looks pretty as a diagram, it seems detached from reality. The bottom are "regional premier" divisions - does this mean there are regional divisions below them ? Or are we now calling our very bottom pub-standard merit competitions "premier" ?

Assuming that the regional premier divisions are what we currently call the regional divisions, then it seems to be suggesting that there are between 21 and 42 clubs who can slot into National Premier South, and Nat. South 1&2. I'm fairly sure if you took every currently established club South of Sheffield, you'd struggle a bit to get to 42. That wouldn't leave a lot left for the "regional premier".

Also, who'd play in these divisions ? Are we really suggesting three divisions of clubs taking in a potential geographic area stretching from Wolverhampton to Ipswich to Brighton to Plymouth ? The SE regional division this year couldn't cope with even a fraction of that travelling, as Swindon found out.

Fundamentally the structure we have is fine, below the RLCN level - Premier and Regional divisions in reasonably tight (should be tighter) geographic areas provide different levels of competition. I suppose one could make an argument for a higher tier encompassing the whole south, for those elite clubs in east, SE, West and Midlands who fancy the travelling, but 3 higher tiers is nonsense. This concerns me a lot. I'm hoping it's just a thinkpiece.

Personally I think and hope it's an aspiration for the very long term, though agree it's very unlikely to happen ever and would be a huge disaster if they tried it now. I think one higher tier is very desirable, since there won't be a national division, or in fact a midlands and south premier, but any more than that there's no need for.

Midlands Premier isn't working at all and there's no point putting loads of time and effort and money into developing juniors just to put them in that so there needs to be something to spire to but I agree it should be one and certainly not 3 divisions

I agree with you it would be a huge concern if they tried even 3 divisions of 7 from 2012

Edited by bowes, 11 October 2010 - 02:32 PM.

[bowes]

Ive not heard that one about relaxing the standard criterea.

That would be a bad move and i believe it wont happen, the clubs need to up their standards not the league to lower theres.

The standards aren't met my everyone and mean the NCL can't run big enough divisions as it is so it isn't realistic to keep them. The NCL president has been on here before saying he'd like to relax the standards and go for 4 divisions of 12. It is a certainty if they have the NW and NE division below. He is keen on keeping juniors as a requirement though. You need some kind of standards though for certain, the other issue is when struggling pro sides look to step down they couldn't if the standards are in place so you'd be forcing several established clubs to fold. Obviously you'd be happy it would also force Bramley and Warrington Wizards to fold

[West Country Eagle]

Personally I think and hope it's an aspiration for the very long term, though agree it's very unlikely to happen ever and would be a huge disaster if they tried it now. I think one higher tier is very desirable, since there won't be a national division, or in fact a midlands and south premier, but any more than that there's no need for.

Midlands Premier isn't working at all and there's no point putting loads of time and effort and money into developing juniors just to put them in that so there needs to be something to spire to but I agree it should be one and certainly not 3 divisions

I agree with you it would be a huge concern if they tried even 3 divisions of 7 from 2012

You say it's not working, but surely if the current Midlands Prem sides were forced to play in poor 'regional' divisions that would do more harm than good?

None of the Midlands Premier teams are anywhere near good enough for RLC National as it stands. Coventry would be competitive on their day, but there's no way Birmingham would be - or Leicester or Bristol for that matter.

[bowes]

You say it's not working, but surely if the current Midlands Prem sides were forced to play in poor 'regional' divisions that would do more harm than good?

None of the Midlands Premier teams are anywhere near good enough for RLC National as it stands. Coventry would be competitive on their day, but there's no way Birmingham would be - or Leicester or Bristol for that matter.

Noone would be good enough for RLCN, but RLCN isn't relevant as it won't exist.

Midlands Premier hasn't got enough teams to run much longer anyway we'll really struggle to run one next year and one of the teams i.e. you is as far from the midlands as the London clubs are. When this National south is created it will be 100% impossible to run a midlands premier anyway. Keep it for 2011, but it won't be viable in this new structure and anyway the next level midlands clubs wouldn't want to travel to Bristol or be much higher standard than your local division

Edited by bowes, 11 October 2010 - 05:13 PM.

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

I don't really understand this. While it looks pretty as a diagram, it seems detached from reality. The bottom are "regional premier" divisions - does this mean there are regional divisions below them ? Or are we now calling our very bottom pub-standard merit competitions "premier" ?

The "Premiers" as described in the diagram, would be the pinnacle of regional Rugby League.


Taking the Yorkshire Premier as an example, this might sit something like this:

Yorkshire Premier

Yorkshire West 1 Yorkshire Central 1 Yorkshire East 1
Yorkshire West 2 Yorkshire Central 2 Yorkshire East 2
Yorkshire West 3 Yorkshire Central 3
Yorkshire West 4 Yorkshire Central 4
Yorkshire West 5 Yorkshire Central 5
Yorkshire West 6 Yorkshire Central 6

Yorkshire Merit League



Where as the South West might look like this:

South West Premier

South West 1



Which might re-attach the thinking to reality for you.



What it does mean, is that all regions at that level are given the same status and standing within the competition structure, allowing the whole country to progress without the "traditional and stronger M62 / Cumbria teams" dominating the rest of the country and allowing the "newer" areas to develop at their own pace.

[West Country Eagle]

Noone would be good enough for RLCN, but RLCN isn't relevant as it won't exist.

Midlands Premier hasn't got enough teams to run much longer anyway we'll really struggle to run one next year and one of the teams i.e. you is as far from the midlands as the London clubs are. When this National south is created it will be 100% impossible to run a midlands premier anyway. Keep it for 2011, but it won't be viable in this new structure and anyway the next level midlands clubs wouldn't want to travel to Bristol or be much higher standard than your local division

I'm not talking about 2012. I'm talking about next year. By 2012 the Sonics might be ready to apply for a higher division. Ditto Leicester and others.

Edited by West Country Eagle, 12 October 2010 - 09:52 AM.

[LONGMAN]

The standards aren't met my everyone and mean the NCL can't run big enough divisions as it is so it isn't realistic to keep them. The NCL president has been on here before saying he'd like to relax the standards and go for 4 divisions of 12. It is a certainty if they have the NW and NE division below. He is keen on keeping juniors as a requirement though. You need some kind of standards though for certain, the other issue is when struggling pro sides look to step down they couldn't if the standards are in place so you'd be forcing several established clubs to fold. Obviously you'd be happy it would also force Bramley and Warrington Wizards to fold

No i wouldnt be happy if Bramley and Warrington were forced to fold.

I think youve got me all wrong.
I want the likes of Bramley to get some sort of base and structure, where they can stand on their own two feet and develope as an amateur club, without weakening other teams around them.

If successfull they might be able to turn back the clock and go professional to what they used to be.

[bowes]

I'm not talking about 2012. I'm talking about next year. By 2012 the Sonics might be ready to apply for a higher division. Ditto Leicester and others.

Oh then I agree with you as far as next year is concerned, we should as far as possible try to stay as we are to avoid having 2 big changes in 2 years but working towards 2012.

A 5 team midlands premier of a higher standard would be better preparation for a National South than all going back to Regionals then having to step up massively, but it's only a short term option

[bowes]

No i wouldnt be happy if Bramley and Warrington were forced to fold.

I think youve got me all wrong.
I want the likes of Bramley to get some sort of base and structure, where they can stand on their own two feet and develope as an amateur club, without weakening other teams around them.

If successfull they might be able to turn back the clock and go professional to what they used to be.

This is where things get tricky as pro clubs don't run their own juniors (below 18s) so running juniors isn't the best preparation for going pro, but then again if they are to stay amateur it would be good to see juniors

[Gav]

Looks good, the only change I would suggest would be instead of having the National South 1 & 2 Divisions, the short to medium term aim should be a National South (West) and a National South (East) directly below National South. Or Even a Midlands/South split, as long as there's some regionalisation, as we're at least 20 years away from being able to sustain 3 divisions that cover the whole of the country south of the M62.

Just out of interest though, where do Scotland and Wales fit into this structure?

[bowes]

Looks good, the only change I would suggest would be instead of having the National South 1 & 2 Divisions, the short to medium term aim should be a National South (West) and a National South (East) directly below National South. Or Even a Midlands/South split, as long as there's some regionalisation, as we're at least 20 years away from being able to sustain 3 divisions that cover the whole of the country south of the M62.

Agreed. Also would be a better fit to having 6 divisions below 2 divisions rather than below 1, not really a pyramid otherwise. In the short term of course anyone wanting to step up could subject to standards but longer term you'd hope there's some competition. Short term I think just one National South division but medium term your 2 regionalised divisions would be good

Just out of interest though, where do Scotland and Wales fit into this structure?

Good question, could have been a good stepping stone to get sides into National North or South from there.

Edited by bowes, 12 October 2010 - 12:43 PM.

[tim2]

Just out of interest though, where do Scotland and Wales fit into this structure?

Wales is an independent nation now with SL and Championship clubs, so it needs to get on with its own business. Scotland isn't there yet, but again being Scottish champions should be enough. I think the need for national play-offs and finals is just not there once this structure is in place. The (BARLA) National Cup will be retained, but otherwise that's probably it.

Sport England need to see an English structure, not a British one.

[Marauder]

Looks pretty but there is no gangway into Super League so it's failed before it starts.