Rewarding mediocrity (providing favours for the chosen few) has always been the most significant tenet of the elitist franchising lobby.

I'd change the rules to keep them up.

Before people post these things, could we do some reading? The rfl have already answered this question here: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/about_t ... reviewfaqs Quote Would clubs like Catalan Dragons and London Broncos be safeguarded from relegation under the new proposals? If the sport is to implement a league structure where clubs stand or fall on their on-field performances, then all clubs, including those in strategically significant markets such as London and France, would have to rise or fall on their own merits. '"

Before people post these things, could we do some reading? The rfl have already answered this question here: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/about_t ... reviewfaqs Quote Would clubs like Catalan Dragons and London Broncos be safeguarded from relegation under the new proposals? If the sport is to implement a league structure where clubs stand or fall on their on-field performances, then all clubs, including those in strategically significant markets such as London and France, would have to rise or fall on their own merits. '"

The only way we could have the new system without destroying clubs like London or Les Catalans or any other club from outside the existing heartlands is if they dont lose the funding should they be relegated.

Quote Magic Superbeetle="Magic Superbeetle"Before people post these things, could we do some reading? The rfl have already answered this question here: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/about_t ... reviewfaqs '" indeed, the RFL have completely given up on developing and broadening the game. It is a complete abdication of responsibility and the worst thing the RFL could have done. There is right now, no plan and no way to nurture and develop new clubs and expand the games horizons.

Quote Magic Superbeetle="Magic Superbeetle"Before people post these things, could we do some reading? The rfl have already answered this question here: www.therfl.co.uk/the-rfl/about_t ... reviewfaqs '" indeed, the RFL have completely given up on developing and broadening the game. It is a complete abdication of responsibility and the worst thing the RFL could have done. There is right now, no plan and no way to nurture and develop new clubs and expand the games horizons.

Agreed.



Unfortunately, a lot of RL fans look at London's attendances and think that Londoners aren't interested. This isn't true. Hughes has run the London club into the ground through bad decision making and a complete lack of marketing skills. Playing at the Beehive in Barnet, a small stadium quite far out of London, should not be a long term option. It's no wonder really that they aren't pulling in the crowds.



On the other hand, the amateur and schools rugby league down there is doing well and growing year on year. Nearly 70k attended the WC semi finals at Wembley - these are the things the RFL need to build on.

I think there is a plan (of sorts) which is to admit small clubs at the bottom end and hope they develop and grow either naturally or through a rich owner getting involved. Hence the likes of Oxford, Gloucester etc being admitted to Championship One.

I'd agree there's no definitive strategy though, which is disappointing and a big failure in my opinion. However I'd lay the blame at both the RFL and the clubs. The clubs, in general, still can't see beyond their own noses and are only interested in things which immediately and directly benefit themselves, hence a continual short-term policy.



The impact of the loss of a lot of Sport England funding shouldn't be underestimated either though.

The RFL seem to have completely given up on doing anything so that they can't be held responsible if it goes wrong, they are supposed to be the leaders of the game but have devolved any and all responsibility (but not power) away from themselves.



This and their admittance that franchising wasnt dumped because it didnt work, but rather that they werent competent to administer it should have seen a root and branch restructure and the removal of the board.

It will all be fine, its happened before:



Next season SL will just have either the Bradford Broncos or the Catalan Bulls.

I agree, but whilst the clubs hold the power there won't ever be long term plans and structures put in place because they'll never be funded properly with the clubs wanting more and more.



Unfortunately, the worst thing to happen to RL in the last 20 years was Richard Lewis leaving. He seemed able to, at least, hold off the clubs. Nigel Wood, whilst I don't believe him to be as bad as some people would like to make out (and lay every problem or issue at his door), has failed to keep the clubs at bay.

Some blame lands with the clubs, in fact some on here will have you believe I am a fan of Nigel Wood simply because I don’t blame him for everything. I do think he is failing, and those around him don’t seem to be up to the job either. He seems completely out of his depth and lacks any sort of vision for the game, its structure, its ethos, or its future. He has basically stepped back, denied all responsibility and is hiding from any kind of leadership. He doesn’t even take responsibility for this new structure he has pushed through, he wants all of the power, none of the responsibility.



If you listen to him the reason why we haven’t changed the SC is because of the clubs,

the reason why we needed to re-introduce P+R is because of KPMG,

the reason why we got this structure is because of the clubs,

If a club gets relegated and struggles it is because they need to stand and fall on their own performance

If a club goes bust it is their fault.



The thing is, if Nigel Wood doesn’t do these things and isn’t responsible for the success of these things then we don’t need him. We could have a secretary to do the admin and use the money we pay him to get a few more youth coaches.



Nigel Woods one and only responsibility to the professional game is to create an environment where clubs and the game can fulfil their potential, regardless of his attempts to pass the buck, if he creates an environment where clubs are damaged by the league structure, where the game continues to struggle to get visibility and sponsorship and if we see crowds fall in the professional game. He is responsible for that.



It is my belief that the entire governance of the game needs to be restructured. Nigel Wood wears too many hats and we have consolidated too much power in the RFL which is why we see these huge shifts in ethos every few years where we see someone with balls put a plan in place, the game expands a bit we see a bit of consolidation in the heartlands, new man takes over, loses his bottle, we see a huge contraction, and so on.



The RFL should merge with Barla and be responsible for disciplinary, the international game, Youth and touch RL and amateur RL. Super League should have its own board of directors and marketing and commercial teams similar to the NRL independant commission, the championships should have their own Board of directors and marketing and commercial teams. Where these responsibilities cross there should be an overall RL Board consisting of 4 independent members, 3 SL members, 1 championship member, 3 RFL members.