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League Restructure Thread (Merged Threads)


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2 minutes ago, Man of Kent said:

Maybe SL clubs should be penalised financially - i.e. hundreds of thousands docked from central funding - for not having an Academy?

Its certainly one way to do it. Have a base level then give additional funding based on meeting certain requirements, more for reserves, more for academy, more for numbers of development officers, more for creating and engaging with amateur clubs etc.

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3 minutes ago, wilsontown said:

The ultimate logic of this approach leaves us with no teams at all.

It doesn't because there's no teams!

10 seems to me a good fit right now for Super League because we only have 10 clubs that are Super or near-Super.

Personally, I wouldn't miss Salford, Leigh or Wakefield in SL.

Take them away - adding Toulouse, assuming they go up - and you've got 10 clubs who can spend at or very close to full salary cap with marquees. 

We'd then have a super-competitive elite comp at both ends - to get in the presumably top 5 play-offs and to avoid the drop. There ought not to be any easy games against a bottom feeder like Leigh or Wakefield. Every minute matters etc.

We'd also have a more competitive second tier as the bigger teams spend to get in/return to Super League. It'll also be more competitive at the bottom end to avoid the drop to League 1 (which will also be more competitive at the top, if not the bottom). 

I'm not saying 10+10 is a perfect, silver bullet but I can see how it would spur some Darwinian evolution that sorts the wheat from the chaff.

 

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1 hour ago, Martyn Sadler said:

I didn't think for a minute that my proposal would be adopted, but I've had a strong response from some Rugby League club bosses.

Those who have understood the rationale, which ultimately is about unifying the game, have inevitably tended to be the most positive about it.

The RFL and Super League are committed to their 10 and 10 model, however.

I'm not surprised Martin. 

Short term, self interest seems to win out every time.

Existential threats sharply focus the mind it's true, but they happen so often in RL, (in their estimation) that there's no will to choose long term gain at the price of even mildly inconvenient, short term pain. 

Creating a fortunate majority (20/36) guarantees, you'll get the vote.

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7 minutes ago, phiggins said:

Apparently all clubs have been asked to put forward their proposals on what the structure should look like. So, we have 36 proposals, and 36 clubs that need to agree on which one to adopt.

What could possibly go wrong?

I have absolutely no issue with this. Of course you should seek the opinions of the members; it makes them feel more valued.

You can't please everyone, but someone might have an idea that others haven't thought of. 

Ultimately, most will probably suggest a system that best benefits their club, but that's their right of opinion.

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8 minutes ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

I have absolutely no issue with this. Of course you should seek the opinions of the members; it makes them feel more valued.

You can't please everyone, but someone might have an idea that others haven't thought of. 

Ultimately, most will probably suggest a system that best benefits their club, but that's their right of opinion.

It feels like the wrong way round to the process though. Sort of like Henry Ford's "they'd have said they needed a stronger horse" line.

A more effective method would be to have a selection of options, properly explained and with rationale, and to ask for constructive feedback on all of them, from which you then move forward to one (or two) properly thought through approaches that you develop based on that feedback.

Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett)

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8 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

It feels like the wrong way round to the process though. Sort of like Henry Ford's "they'd have said they needed a stronger horse" line.

A more effective method would be to have a selection of options, properly explained and with rationale, and to ask for constructive feedback on all of them, from which you then move forward to one (or two) properly thought through approaches that you develop based on that feedback.

I agree. Decide on if we are having a closed shops, licensing etc then work from there. There are a only a few main core options ranging from some sort of communist utopia to a elitist, capitalist dog eat dog model a with a couple of milder variations in between. These can then be tweaked to suit and to form a consensus but there is nothing radically, different going to come out of the woodwork.

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2 hours ago, Martyn Sadler said:

I didn't think for a minute that my proposal would be adopted, but I've had a strong response from some Rugby League club bosses.

Those who have understood the rationale, which ultimately is about unifying the game, have inevitably tended to be the most positive about it.

The RFL and Super League are committed to their 10 and 10 model, however.

However you never replied to my comment on this thread. You mentioned constant changing in your piece yet you are proposing yet another change. Do you think our sponsors, potential sponsors fans, potential fans and TV companies take our sport seriously when we are constantly changing. There is nothing wrong with a 12 team SL. Nothing it all plus the product is fine. Another change and now a possible change of structure laughingly mid season shows sheer amateurism. The irony is I'm an optimist but the game is sapping every drain of my optimism.

Like poor jokes? Thejoketeller@mullymessiah

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40 minutes ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

I have absolutely no issue with this. Of course you should seek the opinions of the members; it makes them feel more valued.

You can't please everyone, but someone might have an idea that others haven't thought of. 

Ultimately, most will probably suggest a system that best benefits their club, but that's their right of opinion.

I've created this in error.

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30 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

It feels like the wrong way round to the process though. Sort of like Henry Ford's "they'd have said they needed a stronger horse" line.

A more effective method would be to have a selection of options, properly explained and with rationale, and to ask for constructive feedback on all of them, from which you then move forward to one (or two) properly thought through approaches that you develop based on that feedback.

It's not the most efficient method, but I don't have an issue with gathering thoughts from all stakeholders. If you have time to do it, and then the expertise to spend the time facilitating it, there could be some absolute nuggets to come out of it. 

It is pretty standard to engage a wide range of stakeholders in these kind of things. It then does need the strong leadership and expertise to filter through the guff, but no issues with this at all. 

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5 minutes ago, Dave T said:

It is pretty standard to engage a wide range of stakeholders in these kind of things. 

They asking anybody other than the clubs?

Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett)

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1 minute ago, gingerjon said:

They asking anybody other than the clubs?

You want yet another RFL fan survey? They went a bit crazy with them over the last few years!

But I expect they are talking to broadcasters and other partners. Be interesting to know whether they ask players, because I'd be all for not doing so, but accept that is probably unfair when it would affect their jobs. They should have a voice through Unions.

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2 minutes ago, Dave T said:

You want yet another RFL fan survey?

Not especially.

But I also don't want some sort of mushy compromise based on stitching together 36 separate ideas.

Build a man a fire, and he'll be warm for a day. Set a man on fire, and he'll be warm for the rest of his life. (Terry Pratchett)

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10 minutes ago, Dave T said:

It's not the most efficient method, but I don't have an issue with gathering thoughts from all stakeholders. If you have time to do it, and then the expertise to spend the time facilitating it, there could be some absolute nuggets to come out of it. 

It is pretty standard to engage a wide range of stakeholders in these kind of things. It then does need the strong leadership and expertise to filter through the guff, but no issues with this at all. 

The trouble is (aside from whether the strong leadership is there or not), it becomes a design by committee, which never works. By all means ask for clubs' input on where they feel the priorities lie and what problems they feel they need should be solved. Then any proposals should take that into consideration. 

Would be interesting to know if any clubs consulted the players before submitting proposals.

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3 minutes ago, gingerjon said:

Not especially.

But I also don't want some sort of mushy compromise based on stitching together 36 separate ideas.

But that isn't how these things work. Asking 36 people for their opinion is not the same as amalgamating 36 ideas. 

It can be very useful for spotting themes, which could be useful for then being able to push through approval for some of the ideas. 

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4 minutes ago, phiggins said:

The trouble is (aside from whether the strong leadership is there or not), it becomes a design by committee, which never works. By all means ask for clubs' input on where they feel the priorities lie and what problems they feel they need should be solved. Then any proposals should take that into consideration. 

Would be interesting to know if any clubs consulted the players before submitting proposals.

It really doesn't. 

Asking people's ideas is perfectly normal, fine and useful.

The skill is what you do with that feedback.

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2 minutes ago, Dave T said:

It really doesn't. 

Asking people's ideas is perfectly normal, fine and useful.

The skill is what you do with that feedback.

I guess it depends on what was meant by clubs being asked for their proposals. If it's just asking for ideas and input, fine. If it's fully formed, structured proposals for how they think the structure should look in it's entirety, then the process is doomed. Hopefully it's more towards the former. 

Question is, who is facilitating it all and pushing back on certain parties when it is needed?

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30 minutes ago, phiggins said:

I guess it depends on what was meant by clubs being asked for their proposals. If it's just asking for ideas and input, fine. If it's fully formed, structured proposals for how they think the structure should look in it's entirety, then the process is doomed. Hopefully it's more towards the former. 

Question is, who is facilitating it all and pushing back on certain parties when it is needed?

The last bit is the crucial question. That, and who will make the recommendations/decisions is the important bit. That's the leadership. 

But listening to people isn't a bad thing. 

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1 hour ago, Mumby Magic said:

However you never replied to my comment on this thread. You mentioned constant changing in your piece yet you are proposing yet another change. Do you think our sponsors, potential sponsors fans, potential fans and TV companies take our sport seriously when we are constantly changing. There is nothing wrong with a 12 team SL. Nothing it all plus the product is fine. Another change and now a possible change of structure laughingly mid season shows sheer amateurism. The irony is I'm an optimist but the game is sapping every drain of my optimism.

There's no doubt that constant change has sapped the will of even some of Rugby League's most ardent supporters.

With my proposal, I wanted to illustrate the point that there is a potential other way forward, even if it's unlikely to be taken up.

If a 12-team Super League were the answer, combined with promotion and relegation, I think we would have seen much more growth than we have over the years.

Given how difficult it is for a promoted team to be competitive, it pretty much becomes a closed shop for eleven teams, all of whom jealously guard their status.

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2 hours ago, Wellsy4HullFC said:

I have absolutely no issue with this. Of course you should seek the opinions of the members; it makes them feel more valued.

You can't please everyone, but someone might have an idea that others haven't thought of. 

Ultimately, most will probably suggest a system that best benefits their club, but that's their right of opinion.

As long as those opinions are read and properly considered, and it isn’t a tick box exercise. 

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3 hours ago, Hela Wigmen said:

The proposal says they’ll work out the two divisions by moving up to a 14 team Super League and then relegating the bottom four and lumping them with the top six of the Championship in 2022. Outside of the current top eight in the Championship is Sheffield, Widnes and Newcastle, so you’d ‘lose’ an alleged “golden goose” in Newcastle from your new structure, for example. 

Assuming current positions that would give:

 

Super League Premier League:

Catalans Dragons; St Helens; Warrington Wolves; Wigan Warriors; Hull Kingston Rovers; Hull FC; Leeds Rhinos; Castleford Tigers; Huddersfield Giants, Toulouse

Super League Championship:

Salford; Wakefield; Leigh; Featherstone; Halifax; Bradford; Batley; London; Whitehaven; York.

 

Teams left out of any funding:

Sheffield - assume that would finish them; can't see them going into the NCL

Widnes - would they really join the NCL? I'm thinking they'll try and get it in court

Newcastle - 50/50 go under or join NCL

Dewsbury, Oldham, Swinton, Barrow, Workington, Keighley, Rochdale, Hunslet - they'd all have to go amateur and into the NCL?

I'd assume both the Welsh teams would fold instantly, and Cov and Skolars would have to move and reform as local clubs scaled back clubs.

Zero chance of any semi-pro expansion any time for the next generation: the drawbridge will be fully pulled up for any French, Canadian, American, Serbian, Spanish etc teams. Probably kills off Super League expansion for good.

 

Bit of a massive F^&*ing change to the British game isn't it! Is this really what is about to happen?

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2 minutes ago, thebrewxi said:

Assuming current positions that would give:

 

Super League Premier League:

Catalans Dragons; St Helens; Warrington Wolves; Wigan Warriors; Hull Kingston Rovers; Hull FC; Leeds Rhinos; Castleford Tigers; Huddersfield Giants, Toulouse

Super League Championship:

Salford; Wakefield; Leigh; Featherstone; Halifax; Bradford; Batley; London; Whitehaven; York.

 

Teams left out of any funding:

Sheffield - assume that would finish them; can't see them going into the NCL

Widnes - would they really join the NCL? I'm thinking they'll try and get it in court

Newcastle - 50/50 go under or join NCL

Dewsbury, Oldham, Swinton, Barrow, Workington, Keighley, Rochdale, Hunslet - they'd all have to go amateur and into the NCL?

I'd assume both the Welsh teams would fold instantly, and Cov and Skolars would have to move and reform as local clubs scaled back clubs.

Zero chance of any semi-pro expansion any time for the next generation: the drawbridge will be fully pulled up for any French, Canadian, American, Serbian, Spanish etc teams. Probably kills off Super League expansion for good.

 

Bit of a massive F^&*ing change to the British game isn't it! Is this really what is about to happen?

That's about the top and bottom of it. Some clubs of course will have funding from wealthy chairman and soldier on even though there'll be a chasm between SL2 and champ/L1

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