<UPtheEELS> said:
So we now have the NRL Telstra Premiership which is First Grade.
Flegg is gone as is Prems and replaced with This national U20's. But what happens if a player doesn't cut it and isn't eligible for the U20's comp. Jim Beam Cup?
Media Release said:
The NSWRL is in the process of finalising both its premier open age competition and its junior competitions for 2008
Page 4 of April 2007 - Rugby League Review -
Second Grade and Jim Beam Cup to remain.
An open grade Premier League style competition is certain to go ahead in 2008 with most of the NRL clubs making it clear that such a competition is vital to the development of the game.
There has been talk that Premier League would be scrapped in order to save costs and concentrate on the National U 20's Competition which comes into effect next season.
The majority of clubs believe that up to 10-12 players would miss out on playing in the NRL every week and would need a high quality competition to play as an alternative.
The Jim Beam Cup competition was looked as an option but many have found that it wouldn't be feasible because the competition is based around a points system as well as the standard not being as high as what the Premier League provides.
A Premier League or State Cup is expected to be staged in 200-8 and will be run by the NSWRL.
Some NRL clubs, such as Parramatta, St George and Penrith, could be looking at having links with Jim Beam Cup clubs, but the majority of NRL clubs will continue to field Premier League (second grade) sides.
Meanwhile the Jim Beam Cup competition will definitely continue in 2008 in its current format and will not act as a second grade competition for the NRL clubs.