82 replies to this topic

[THUNDERNEWS]

The RFL has today confirmed that it is working with Coventry Bears with a view to the Midlands club entering Championship One in 2014.

Coventry had been considered for entry to Rugby League’s semi-professional third tier in 2013 alongside Oxford Rugby League, Hemel Stags and University of Gloucestershire All Golds but have been given another 12 months to prepare for the move.

As a consequence, Championship One will operate as a nine-club competition next season featuring the three new entrants who will give the sport an exciting new geographical footprint.

RFL Chief Operating Officer Ralph Rimmer said: “Coventry Bears are a very ambitious club and we are looking forward to working with them in our shared goal of them entering Championship One in 2014.

“The Bears have made significant strides in the last few years, as their presence in this weekend’s Conference 3 play-offs testify, but our view is that it is too soon for them to make the transition into Championship One next season.

“We have always maintained throughout this process that it was important not to rush clubs into the competition before they are ready; we need to act responsibly and in the best interests of the competition.

“I spoke to the Championship One clubs directly a fortnight ago to make them fully aware of the options available. The clubs have been very supportive of the process.

“Alan Robinson and Tom Tsang have worked extremely hard with Coventry and have demonstrated to us that there is a very strong foundation from which to build . We have highlighted to the club the areas which need strengthening and we will now provide them with the practical assistance which will hopefully see them emerge as a strong entrant in 2014.

“What we have achieved in bringing in three new clubs, as well as identifying a fourth for 2014, should not be underestimated and is truly ground-breaking for the sport. It will refresh the competition and present new challenges for all involved.“

The Championship will remain at 14 clubs as planned next season with the nine-team Championship One comprising Oldham, Rochdale Hornets, Gateshead Thunder, London Skolars, South Wales Scorpions, North Wales Crusaders, Hemel Stags, Oxford Rugby League and University Of Gloucestershire All Golds.

For the group stages of the 2013 Northern Rail Cup, the Championship One clubs will be split into two pools of four with Oxford having asked not to compete as they prepare for life in Championship One.

[Northern Sol]

Whilst I'm glad that they aren't rushing Coventry, I'd be even happier if they had done expansion two at a time.

[tim2]

With 14 clubs in the Championship, are they having home+away (26 games) in that plus Northern Rail Cup? I also hope they don'tt go for the bloated top 8 playoff. The current top 6 play-off scheme works well enough.

Or will NRC be knock-out, with 14 CC clubs joined by the two winners of the CC1 pools?

CC1 will then have 16 league games and 6 NRC?

[keighley]

What will the fixtures be. At present there will be only 16 league fixtures. Will this bring in enough revenue.?

I support this expansion but the clubs should have been given a longer time frame to prepare like Catalans. This one seems hurried and not sufficiently planned and organised.

[bowes]

With 14 clubs in the Championship, are they having home+away (26 games) in that plus Northern Rail Cup? I also hope they don'tt go for the bloated top 8 playoff. The current top 6 play-off scheme works well enough.

Or will NRC be knock-out, with 14 CC clubs joined by the two winners of the CC1 pools?

CC1 will then have 16 league games and 6 NRC?

Yeah that sounds like how it will work.

[superten]

its another rl mess thats leaves traditional clubs like oldham and rochdale in the dire .

[Gav Wilson]

its another rl mess thats leaves traditional clubs like oldham and rochdale in the dire .

Why point out those two specifically? Why are they any more special to the other clubs in that league?

[Wellsy4HullFC]

its another rl mess thats leaves traditional clubs like oldham and rochdale in the dire .

Are these clubs anywhere near a level to step up?

[Wellsy4HullFC]

With 14 clubs in the Championship, are they having home+away (26 games) in that plus Northern Rail Cup? I also hope they don'tt go for the bloated top 8 playoff. The current top 6 play-off scheme works well enough.

Or will NRC be knock-out, with 14 CC clubs joined by the two winners of the CC1 pools?

CC1 will then have 16 league games and 6 NRC?

Could they not play three times to bring it to 24 fixtures?

[keighley]

Could they not play three times to bring it to 24 fixtures?

That might work. When they had an 8 team 2nd division once, I think they played each other four times.

[Methven Hornet]

I support this expansion but the clubs should have been given a longer time frame to prepare like Catalans.

Northampton were given too much time, perhaps.

[Northern Sol]

Northampton were given too much time, perhaps.

Northampton never existed, giving them more time would hardly help. Hemel and Coventry are real sides.

edit: I don't mean that to imply that Hemel ought not to join in 2013, they should be in anyone's top two.

Edited by Northern Sol, 21 September 2012 - 05:05 PM.

[GeordieSaint]

Why point out those two specifically? Why are they any more special to the other clubs in that league?

Because as the poster said, they are traditional clubs of course... (I don't consent to this view but many RL fans do!)

Could they not play three times to bring it to 24 fixtures?

That would make absolute sense!

[jannerboyuk]

Northern rail two groups of four in champ 1 adding 6 extra games with oxford sitting it out this year. i'll assume people will give the rfl credit for giving cov a year to prepare

[steef]

If the clubs in championship 1 are only playing each other twice it will be crazy, 11 home games,if you count NRC games just won't be enough unless the level of away support is far higher than I expect it to be. As an Oldham fan I feel we really need to get out of this division next year or there will be dire consequences.

[petesmithfan]

I would just say what ever the rights and wrongs of expansion, why restructure 3 competitions (NRcup, champ, champ 1) until you are 100% certain you have the teams to compete? They are treating the comps outside super league with a lack of respect and thus reducing our credibility! And as one of the reason for keeping the Bulls in SL was for the stability of numbers in these comps, it does puzzle me, that now it would seem thats exactly what they have created!!!

[Ponterover]

So why don't they let Fev U23s in for a year to make up the numbers, as requested by our chairman?

No need to worry about promotion and they don't need to compete in the NRC, but it will pad out the fixtures and should give some of the gates a boost too.

[Lobbygobbler]

So why don't they let Fev U23s in for a year to make up the numbers, as requested by our chairman?

No need to worry about promotion and they don't need to compete in the NRC, but it will pad out the fixtures and should give some of the gates a boost too.

It would make pro RL look a joke. Actually playing each other 3times is better than the awful Northern #### Cup

[Manx RL]

So why don't they let Fev U23s in for a year to make up the numbers, as requested by our chairman?

No need to worry about promotion and they don't need to compete in the NRC, but it will pad out the fixtures and should give some of the gates a boost too.

What a terrible idea.

[PhilCarrington]

So Coventry are so unprepared that a club that didn't exist until this week is better prepared for next season. You couldn't make it up!