Five Divisions

[G@v]

Rugby League in the UK is gearing up for a major overhaul of it's league structure, including a radical move to have five divisions. The decision making council has backed proposals by the strategic planning commitee for a new streamlined format from season 2003 which will see Rugby League confirming it's status as a summer sport. The main proposal is to have four national divisions - two professional and two amateur - under Super League, all playing from March to October.

 

[G@v]

Although the above isn't set in stone, it appears that the new structure will see 10 teams in each division. I happen to think that 10 sides is the ideal number for SL at this moment, the question is, does that mean relegation for two clubs at the end of 2002 without any additions?

 

[ozbash]

will it be like the soccer ,with promotion/relegation?
i reckon the nrl should do something like that.....

 

[G@v]

Tony, the way they were talking on Rugby League World last night it seems as if promotion and relegation will make a return. Although lots of fans will no doubt be glad of this, I wonder if it is viable between SL and the lower divisions and wether it might weaken the development structure. RL isn't liker soccer, there isn't the money flowing into the game or the support to make the lower divisions attractive to sponsors.

 

[imported_Roopy4246]

Dropping the number of teams to ten in Superleague sounds like a good move. For promotion and relegation to work there must be several sides in the second division playing near to the first division standard. Just having one or two good sides in second div would mean they would getno competitive games, and their standards would drop back to the pack, ensuring that the jump up to first div would be too difficult to take. Pulling in a few French sides into the second div. might help to make it more promotable and lift the standards a bit as well.

 

[Cronulla_Mania]

Ozbash, the four division thing wouldn't work in Australia for a few reasons. Firstly, there wouldn't be 40-50 teams around that could be able to afford trips around such a large area as Australia. Assuming that they had teams in Perth,Adelaide, Wellington and Townsville, not alot of clubs would be able to afford all the travel. On top of this, the population is not big enough to support it. Having said this, a 2 division comp is possible. The $$$ would still be a problem though....
Im excited about this 4 divison proposal. Teams from great britain and france would make for quite an interesting competition. I think that something would have to be done about the 'superpowers' (leeds, bradford,st helens and wigan) who have to much control over the game for my liking. Teams like Huddersfield really struggle, while mega enterprises such as Wigan continue to buy player after player from Australia in order to keep in the top4 every year....
MFC.

 

[CanadianSteve]

Would the current NFP become the second division. after ESL? I thought ESL was run by a different organization than the RFL. Does this mean they are all agreeing to come under one umbrella?