11 replies to this topic

[Wellsy4HullFC]

So with the restructuring in 2013 of the Championships, can anyone confirm what's happening with the CC1 play-offs?

Basically, it's usually used as a tool to promote a second team along with the champions, but next season there isn't automatic promotion (to allow for the Championship to be expanded to 14). So have the RFL confirmed what will happen with the play-offs? Or even if there will be any?

Basically, I fear that they do nothing and have a completely and utterly pointless CC1 play-off for second place that doesn't affect promotion!

[PhilCarrington]

There is automatic promotion next season from Championship 1.
Promotion spots will go to:
Championship One champions.
Then the other 3 places go to:
play-off final winning team;
play-off final runners up; and
the next highest placed club in Championship One.

Which means that the side finishing second gets promotion AND gets the chance for a run in the play-offs with the financial advantages that brings.
The 3rd placed side also gets promotion, given the format that 4th to 7th play each other in the initial weeks of the play-offs, as well as a chance of a run in the play-offs.

It also means that if the last 3 sides in the play-offs finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the league, then there won't be anything to play for, other than the privilege of winning the 2nd place play-off.

So the final can't impact on promotion, but there could be some very nervous clubs if the 5th, 6th or 7th placed teams got through to the final eliminator

My real worry is the amount some clubs will end up spending to try to get one of these 4 places.

[thirteenthman]

My real worry is the amount some clubs will end up spending to try to get one of these 4 places.

Interesting to read a letter in this week's League Express blaming the RFL for Whitehaven's Under 23's side being disbanded. In the same letter, the writer also mentions the new signings Whitehavan are making for the new season. Pity the writer hasn't twigged that the 2 things are related. Instead of spending money on development, Whitehaven (and others) are spending on the first team so as not to get 'left behind' with the new teams in 2013. Another unfortunate side effect of the RFL's decision to bring in 4 new teams all at once.

[bowes]

The Under 23s won't have enough clubs to run I reckon.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

There is automatic promotion next season from Championship 1.
Promotion spots will go to:
Championship One champions.
Then the other 3 places go to:
play-off final winning team;
play-off final runners up; and
the next highest placed club in Championship One.

Which means that the side finishing second gets promotion AND gets the chance for a run in the play-offs with the financial advantages that brings.
The 3rd placed side also gets promotion, given the format that 4th to 7th play each other in the initial weeks of the play-offs, as well as a chance of a run in the play-offs.

It also means that if the last 3 sides in the play-offs finished 2nd, 3rd and 4th in the league, then there won't be anything to play for, other than the privilege of winning the 2nd place play-off.

So the final can't impact on promotion, but there could be some very nervous clubs if the 5th, 6th or 7th placed teams got through to the final eliminator

My real worry is the amount some clubs will end up spending to try to get one of these 4 places.

That has got to be one of the worst ideas I've ever heard the RFL come up with. There's just way too many ridiculous flaws in it!

Wouldn't it have just been simpler to either promote the top 4 and have a play-off for the league winners? Or promote the top 3 and have a play-off for the 4th promotion spot.

Whoever thought having a play-off for three promotion places with a final that means you are second if you win it was smoking the wrong stuff that day.

[thirteenthman]

The Under 23s won't have enough clubs to run I reckon.

Interesting to see what happens. Oddly enough, I was reading about Rochdale's coach saying their running an Under 23's team next year as being crucial to their prospects. Obviously not everyone agrees with that.

[marklaspalmas]

That has got to be one of the worst ideas I've ever heard the RFL come up with. There's just way too many ridiculous flaws in it!

Wouldn't it have just been simpler to either promote the top 4 and have a play-off for the league winners? Or promote the top 3 and have a play-off for the 4th promotion spot.

Whoever thought having a play-off for three promotion places with a final that means you are second if you win it was smoking the wrong stuff that day.

Yes. Top 4 straight up, and the playoffs (top 6) just for the sake of it.

[Wellsy4HullFC]

Yes. Top 4 straight up, and the playoffs (top 6) just for the sake of it.

"The top 4 are promoted, with the play-off final to see who goes up as champions" sounds a lot better than "the top team goes up as champions, with the play-off final to see who goes up in second along with the losing finalist and losing final eliminator."

[marklaspalmas]

"The top 4 are promoted, with the play-off final to see who goes up as champions" sounds a lot better than "the top team goes up as champions, with the play-off final to see who goes up in second along with the losing finalist and losing final eliminator."

Yeah, that'd work.

Let's face it, anything would be better than the dog's dinner they've come up with

[Hornetto]

Interesting to see what happens. Oddly enough, I was reading about Rochdale's coach saying their running an Under 23's team next year as being crucial to their prospects. Obviously not everyone agrees with that.

With no big budgets or 'sugar daddy' to lean on, we have to have a 'conveyor belt' for developing local talent - it's a logical and economically viable way of taking the club forward and engaging further with the community.

We ran an U18's side in conjunction with local amateur sides on and off for a few years in the NW counties league as a way of getting the town's young talent together to grow and develop. This then 'morphed' into the 'town team' that provides a way for the best young amateur talent to represent the town - and exposes them to Hornets coaching team and a higher level of competitive football (playing rep. teams such as GB students, British police and BARA - and a now annual challenge game against Hornets). The games have all been of a really good standard, with some 'hidden talent' on display.

The next logical move was to put another step in the pathway to the pro game, and an U23 side enables Hornets to do that. For a club of our stature, it's a big investment, but if it provides local talent with an environment to test itself and Stanky with 'home-grown' players, then it's worth the effort.

[thirteenthman]

With no big budgets or 'sugar daddy' to lean on, we have to have a 'conveyor belt' for developing local talent - it's a logical and economically viable way of taking the club forward and engaging further with the community.

We ran an U18's side in conjunction with local amateur sides on and off for a few years in the NW counties league as a way of getting the town's young talent together to grow and develop. This then 'morphed' into the 'town team' that provides a way for the best young amateur talent to represent the town - and exposes them to Hornets coaching team and a higher level of competitive football (playing rep. teams such as GB students, British police and BARA - and a now annual challenge game against Hornets). The games have all been of a really good standard, with some 'hidden talent' on display.

The next logical move was to put another step in the pathway to the pro game, and an U23 side enables Hornets to do that. For a club of our stature, it's a big investment, but if it provides local talent with an environment to test itself and Stanky with 'home-grown' players, then it's worth the effort.

Your first paragraph is exactly the reason why you'd think all clubs at this level should be doing the same thing. It's just a pity that yet again so many clubs have decided to take the easier short term approach. As you say, Rochdale (both the club and the wider RL community) will benefit from this move long term.

[Errol Stock]

With no big budgets or 'sugar daddy' to lean on, we have to have a 'conveyor belt' for developing local talent - it's a logical and economically viable way of taking the club forward and engaging further with the community.

We ran an U18's side in conjunction with local amateur sides on and off for a few years in the NW counties league as a way of getting the town's young talent together to grow and develop. This then 'morphed' into the 'town team' that provides a way for the best young amateur talent to represent the town - and exposes them to Hornets coaching team and a higher level of competitive football (playing rep. teams such as GB students, British police and BARA - and a now annual challenge game against Hornets). The games have all been of a really good standard, with some 'hidden talent' on display.

The next logical move was to put another step in the pathway to the pro game, and an U23 side enables Hornets to do that. For a club of our stature, it's a big investment, but if it provides local talent with an environment to test itself and Stanky with 'home-grown' players, then it's worth the effort.

Bloody Hell! This is a blue print for a start point to catch up with the Aussies! Someone has managed to break down the RFL - BARLA barriers and focus on the actual needs of the game as a whole..
Never thought I would see the day - but how does this good news grow in stature, hidden away in the bowels of TOTALRL.COM ??

Is there no nepotism involved here? As I have witnessed over the year in my local leagues... Either way - well done and I take my hat off to Rochdale for being so creative..