Once more, rugby league in England is looking to restructure.
Media headlines have suggested that the game will be forced to make changes with a decline of television revenue into the sport.
Fans of the game in England and those who watch it from afar will know that structural changes seem to happen every few years with the sport. That is too often.
So whatever changes they make, I hope that they stick with it and give it time to either prove its worth or not.
Naturally, there has been a range of options presented. One such option that seems to have garnered media attention is the two Super League divisions of ten teams with the third division to be removed from consideration.
Fans watching from the outside and from afar do not have the financial insights related to the game, but the mere suggestion of fewer teams does, without doubt, cause some concerns to fans.
Understandably, the administration needs to navigate the murky waters of change that will impact the sport.
(Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)
Firstly, whatever options are on the table, let the fans know. You do this by conducting information nights and question-and-answer evenings with fans and members of every single professional club.
Do not leave the discussions at the board-room level. Be honest and up front with the fans. Bring them along for the ride.
The game cannot afford to alienate the core fan-base, which it desperately needs to maintain strong links.
Secondly, I offer an alternative competition model. With the formation of the new Cornwall club, there are 37 professional and semi-professional rugby league clubs.
Therefore, why not adopt a two-tiered competition – the Super League and the Championship.
Such a model would work as follows:
⦁ Super League competition of 18 teams and the Championship consisting of 19 teams.
⦁ In each competition, they would play each other once.
⦁ The regular season would be played in conjunction with the Challenge Cup and a league cup tournament.
(Alex Dodd – CameraSport/Getty Images)
How would the regular-season competition work?
In the Super League, an eight-team finals format would determine the winner while either the bottom two teams or the bottom team would be relegated. While in the Championship, there would be no relegation.
However, if two teams were to be promoted, then the minor premiers would gain automatic promotion. At the same time, the following six teams would battle it out in a playoff format to determine the next promoted team.
It is important to note that if any new additional team wanted to turn professional, they would join the Championship competition. The Super League would never extend beyond 18 teams.
Would the Challenge Cup change? What happens to Magic Weekend?
The system of the Challenge Cup would not change. However, when the stage reaches the final 16 teams, those teams would be the competing teams at the Magic Weekend.
The quarter-final round (eight teams) would also play at the same neutral venue on the weekend, thus creating another Magic round.
Then when it reached the semi-final, the four teams would play a double header at a neutral venue. The final could still be played in London or any other venue specified by the governing body.
Gareth Ellis lifts the Challenge Cup. (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images)
What about the league cup? Do you mean the 1895 Cup?
The league cup could be called the 1895 Cup if the game so desired. This competition would work in conjunction with the regular season.
It would work as follows:
⦁ The top 32 ranked teams from the previous season qualify – the rest miss out.
⦁ Eight groups of four would be created.
⦁ Each group would play games on a home-and-away basis.
⦁ The top two teams from each group would qualify for the knockout stage of the tournament.
⦁ The top team from each group would get an automatic home game in the first knockout stage.
⦁ The knockout stage would continue until a winner is determined.
Instigating this league cup competition adds variety to the league season. It also provides teams with another trophy that can be won.
So how many games will the teams play?
This proposal offers only one more game than currently employed. This option incorporates the possibility of playing Challenge Cup and finals rugby league.
It presents more variety to the season than currently on offer — something the broadcasters and fans may enjoy.
(Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
What about the reserves and academies (under-21s)? Would they play all these games?
No. When the league cup rounds are played, only the first teams will compete. The reserves and the academies (under-21s) will have rest weekends.
This rest will allow the first-team coaches to rest players, rotate their squads to cover injuries and present their clubs with the best chance at victory.
The same with the Challenge Cup. Only one grade for each club will compete in the tournament.
There are many other matters to address. These include funding, the grade structure, pre-season, the women’s game, and international rugby league.
Consequently, I offer the following:
⦁ The bulk of the game funding would be directed to the Super League clubs.
⦁ Super League clubs would need to present three grades of rugby league (first, reserves and academy – under-21s).
⦁ The Championship clubs would ideally have two grades but could provide an extended single-grade squad. As such, there would have no such requirement for three grades. However, to gain promotion to Super League, the clubs would have to provide financial guarantees of meeting the three-grade requirement needed for the Super League level.
⦁ No club will play more than two pre-season games. The World Club Challenge would not count to this tally if and when returned.
⦁ All professional clubs would still be required to encourage the growth and participation of the female version of the sport. As such, its league structure may vary to the men’s competition until time and depth warrant further analysis of the set female competition structure.
⦁ The game will conduct the international calendar after the Super League grand final.
(Photo by Martin Rickett/PA Images via Getty Images)
This suggestion should be one of many the sport considers. Moreover, there have been calls for a 14-team Super League and Championship, where a home-and-away season preludes a top-five format with a ‘one up and down’ process.
The following presents a raft of options that have been expressed. I am curious to know what option fans prefer.
A. Three divisions of 12 teams with a 22-round season, top five or six finals format, one promoted/relegated
B. Two divisions of 14 teams with a 26-round season, top five or six finals format, one promoted/relegated
C. Two divisions of ten teams with an 18-round season, top four finals format, one promoted/relegated
D. Two divisions of 16 teams with a 30-round season, top eight finals format, two promoted/relegated
E. Two divisions (18/19 teams) play each other once, top eight Super League finals, two promoted/relegated (as suggested above with a league cup tournament)
Once more, it is recognised the above is not a comprehensive list. Yet, it does provide an option to the governing body and clubs moving forward.
In any case, it is imperative that the game consults with the fans, explains the issues and allow fans a voice in the process.
Failing to do this will only end in more fans becoming disillusioned with the direction of the game.
So, to the fans, what structure do you prefer for the sport moving forward? Do you have any other suggestions?
In any case, I wish English rugby league all the best as it navigates the future.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Thanks Mark.
Mick Holland
Roar Rookie
Mark Good article ! I'm in the process of doing a SL season structure myself, I can see you have put a lot of thought behind it with a lot of research. I've been looking into SL on & off for the past couple of years with mainly focusing on the season structure & how it could align themselves up with the NRL so there can be more internationals & maybe a RL World Super Bowl between NRL v SL at the end of the year instead of a pre season fixture. I'm still however using the same relegation/promotion system that already exist but I don't like the idea as there is too much uncertainty in an environment that is uncertain in a country that is dominated by soccer & Rugby Union. I haven't looked into a alternative yet because as you mentioned they have changed their structure a few times over the past 2 decades & thought anymore changes might see more people walk away from the game or less interest in viewership. I don't think they should have relegation/promotion & should set a criteria's to have get a license eventually having 22 teams in the ESL with 22 Rounds with a French & Great Britain Conference System below with opportunities to be promoted if they fit the criteria. 12 teams with 22 rounds top 8 finals fits perfect for the moment though because each team only plays each other twice & a top 8 would keep the competition interesting in the bottom half of the comp during the season even if in the finals they are just making up the numbers it would keep the fans engaged. Week 05 – 9’s + Round 1 1895 Challenge Cup Week 06 – Round 2 1895 Challenge Cup Week 07 – Round 3 1895 Challenge Cup Week 08 – ESL Season Launch Week 09 – ESL Round 1 Week 19 – ESL Round 11 Week 20 – Weekend off Week 21 – Internationals + Round 4– 1895 Challenge Cup Week 22 – Internationals + Round 5 – 1895 Challenge Cup Week 23 – Internationals + Round 6 – 1895 Challenge Cup finals Week 24 – ESL Round 12 Week 34 – ESL Round 22 Week 35 – ESL Semis Week 36 – ESL Semis Week 37 – ESL Semis Week 38 – Million pound game or GB Grand Final - French Grand Final Week 39 – ESL Grand Final – NRL Grand Final - French winners v GB winners pre ESL Grand final Week 42 - RL World Super Bowl
Mark Campbell
Roar Guru
Hello Mega Dragon (Cool name), The clubs chosen would be based on the current full-time or semi professional teams in SL, Championship and League 1. Yes, the two French teams would be in SL as they will be for the 2022 season. In essence, I wouldn't see any teams drop out of SL at present unless financial disaster struck, but 6 teams would be added at the first opportunity. Whether this be, by meeting a criteria or simply by being the next highest ranked teams could be determined by the RFL. In any case, to stay in SL clubs would need to meet minimum standards (I know it has been tried before) and I would keep it basic. Financial solvent, three grades, full time. The 18 teams in SL would get the vast majority of funding. Teams in Championship would instantly be semi-pro at best. Unless a rich business person came in to support a club. Finally, there would be a marked difference in skill from SL to Championship and once more to the community game - which would be unaffected by this change. I hope it clears up my suggestion. I guess I am just a little worried the sport is making changes without consulting fans. By telling fans (paid members of clubs) how it will be done rather than consulting and including them in the process to me is simply the wrong way to go when it could be a major change for the sport. Thanks for the comment.
luke albery
Guest
2 divisions of 14 in super league and 10 in the championship (ready for expansion at this level) only full time teams in these levels Semi professional or part time teams will then play in the English league one or French elite 1 and can have affiliations with the top 22 teams - if teams choose to have a reserve team they can play in this division. All top 22 teams need a under 21s academy side.
Elijah
Guest
I love this! Option E is a very legit option. Option A and C aren’t too bad either. Player pool would be the issue maybe get the football clubs to help grow it as well maybe?? I would ask hopefully if you could do an article how we can restructure rugby league in America, it’s growing but the political stuff is killing us young players, clubs and the competition as a whole.
warren
Guest
Here are my observations from afar. There are 2 main issues as I see it when looking to restructure to improve the overall game in the UK. Firstly you are dealing with an ingrained culture that accepts mediocracy as part of the landscape. This is not just the playing talent but the overall look of the game. Seeing teams like Castleford & Wakefield play out of grounds that look like the basic infrastructure has not been updated for about 30 years is just a reflection of the game itself. Secondly is that most teams except a few are from small towns. Teams such as Featherstone & Leigh are RL towns but with such small populations do not really make someone want to invest in the game itself. So how do you go around it. Well firstly on teams you need to introduce some from larger population areas. Toulouse coming into Super League is a major plus given its population base. Smaller clubs may need to merge that are in areas in or around Liverpool or Manchester & rename themselves as such. Finally if a club can not get fix their ground up to a half decent area then make sure they are either penalised or their games are not shown on TV.
Redcap
Roar Guru
Hi Mark, Interesting idea. There are a few things I'm not clear on, though. First, how would this be implemented? I think there would need to be incremental expansion of the ESL over several years, assuming the game's revenue base grows and the semi-professional clubs in the current championship can afford to compete at the elite level. Second, does the proposal to create a barrier between championship level and clubs lower on the pyramid not exacerbate the problem super league created, i.e. inflating the gap between full-time professional status and semi-professional/amateur status? Or, does this idea seek to reduce the gap between the bigger ESL clubs and teams at championship level currently? Who are the 36? Third, does this include French clubs? It's not at all clear in the piece above.
Pete
Guest
A big problem with league in the UK is that firstly it is a very minor code played in the North and they don't have enough quality players relying heavily on NRL discards and bad boys from Aust and NZ.
Otsuble
Roar Rookie
Melbourne rate exceptionally well on Fox. They are one of the comps highest rating teams overall. Lack of promotion by 9 hurts them.
Nat
Roar Guru
Promotion and relegation have their upsides but for mine it damages the investment in the game buy both fans and sponsors. A club's success isn't necessarily isn't solely dependant on the field. In Aust, Wests Tigers get an extraordinary amount of FTA games not because of their success on the field but the eyes on the TV. The opposite of Melbourne is true. Hugely successful club but lack of FTA (by comparison) because they don't rate as well. NQ survived the SL war not because of their success but popularity. If they want more money in the game, secure the eyeballs. When they are continually mixing up the bottom half of the comp, the fans get disillusioned.
brookvalesouth
Roar Rookie
This is probably the best presented option for the RFL structure that I have seen. What they really need is a good TV deal, one that broadcasts every Super League game, two Championship games a week and the Challenge Cup from the Round of 16 on live television across the UK and France, with every game of every competition on a streaming service.
Hard Yards
Roar Rookie
Mark you've had a good stab at it mate. I'd be surprised if there was any professional Rugby League in Britain within a couple of decades. I think societal trends and a very fickle Millennial and Gen Z , and those that come behind them, will leave it as a relic. It may well be pursued at an amateur level in Lancashire and Yorkshire, but I suspect the business pound will find it hard to justify the expense in what is a diminishing niche market. Just my 2 cents.
Otsuble
Roar Rookie
There is a lot to contemplate there. An 18 team super league would raise concerns about the player pool but that may see opportunities for young and elder pacific nations players. One aspect I like is that the model creates a lot of performance tension. Fear of relegation, opportunity to promote and the 32 team challenge cup appeals as well. Good work mate. But be prepared for some critics!