Why the licence system will work
The game of rugby league in Europe is on the cusp of a dramatic change.
From next season there will be no relegation from Super League, hopefully leading to a marked increase in the intensity of the competition and the number of top-class home-grown players.
At least, that is the plan according to the architects of the , the .
The RFL has finished the process of evaluating which of the will receive a licence, with 14 competing in an expanded Super League next season.
We will find out on Tuesday which clubs have been successful - but will the system work?
When I first heard that the RFL was scrapping relegation from Super League I thought it was making a huge mistake.
The desperate scramble to avoid the drop often has intensity more engrossing than matters at the other end of the table. Take away the relegation dogfight and Super League would be a poorer spectacle.
However, after speaking to decision makers at the RFL, as well as Super League chief executives, coaches and players I have been convinced otherwise.
Not only that, but I have been taken aback by the .
Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington is a superb example of how self interest in rugby league gives way to the greater good of the game.
Hetherington is well aware that his club has little to gain from a system designed to create a more even competition, but, as he puts in, RL is a bit more "caring" than that.
He mentioned the salary cap - another piece of legislation designed to level the playing field - and wondered whether it could ever be implemented in football's Premier League.
Probably not, he reasoned, as it would not suit the 'big four'.
But it is important to remember that rugby league has a history of innovation.
The move to summer rugby, the play-off system and the salary cap - all were designed to increase the entertainment package, in part by creating a competitive league.
In this context the licence system can be interpreted as the next, albeit extremely significant, stage in the development of the game in this country.
The crux of the issue is this - protecting clubs against relegation will allow them to develop areas that often remain neglected when they are battling the drop.
In the words of RFL chief executive Nigel Wood, teams will be able to invest funds previously spent on player recruitment on "junior development, club infrastructure and stadium facilities".
have already taken huge strides with junior development - and this in an area that is outside the game's traditional heartland.
Six players in their current squad have come through their Academy system, including the extraordinarily talented forward .
Furthermore, if clubs such as Castleford, Wakefield, Huddersfield and Salford can spend more money finding and developing their own talent then it can only strengthen the game as a whole.
It will allow Super League to end its dependency on foreign imports - and in doing so improve the pool of talent available to the national teams.
What I have found extraordinary when talking to influential figures at Super League clubs is their desire to see Australia toppled as the world's leading international team.
And to a man there is a firm belief that the licence system is a major step on the road to achieving this goal.
Of course, theory is one thing and reality another.
The RFL insists all 19 applications have been independently evaluated by the appropriate specialists.
There is a 10-point criteria that the governing body hopes this ensures a transparent and objective appraisal process.
Every chief executive that I spoke to was confident that they had submitted a strong application and, in public at least, sounded confident of receiving a licence.
Some of them will have to come to terms with the disappointment of missing out but there will surely be casualties with such a profound change.
Wood is adamant that there will be no closed shop - and underlines this point by insisting that at least one club will be admitted into Super League after the first three-year period.
It will be fascinating to see whether those that miss out can still prosper - but it will be even more intriguing to see what effect the system has on those teams that are granted a licence and the standard of the competition.
One thing is for sure - the game seems almost united in its enthusiasm for the licence system, as though there is an acknowledgement that it must embrace change to grow.
And that in itself is half the battle won.
Hello, I'm Paul Fletcher and I mainly write about life in the Football League. I have a great enthusiasm for a whole range of sports and love to spread the word about the great game of rugby league. You can also follow me on .
Comment number 1.
At 19th Jul 2008, cantabrigas wrote:The licence system can only be an advantage to all clubs involved. This will include those clubs who do not initially make the cut for the franchises this time round, as it would mean that they re-focus on the areas where they fell behind.
The new system would our youngsters to blossom, as clubs will no longer fear the prospect of regulation and fell the need to bring in players from the NRL. Instead, coaches can put a youngster in the team and see how they progress. This will create stronger competition for 1st team places, therefore increasing the intensity of Super League as a whole. As a result, this would make the competition for international spots tougher as well.
The only thing which worries me about the new system is the possibility of club mergers. One of the criterion is the distance between clubs. Obviously this would greatly disadvantage the traditional clubs competing for places such as Widnes, Warrington, St Helens, Leigh, Wigan etc. Although undesirable, some of these clubs may, in the future, see the need to merge to ensure that they will continue to be the Super League. This is something which is currently being suggested in the NRL with the Sydney clubs.
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Comment number 2.
At 20th Jul 2008, exrlfan wrote:I've read some twaddle about the licencing system (note how the word franchise has been dropped rather like renaming Windscale to Sellafield) but this takes the cake.
Rugby league the caring sport? How much did Gary Hetherington care when Sheffield and Gateshead were merged out of Super League? Not much I imagine as his wife Kath who had been at Gateshead simply joined the board at Hull without so much as a backward glance.
The idea that ending relegation will somehow enable clubs to spend money to improve their grounds and develop young players instead of signing experienced players is utter rubbish. Coaches will still be under pressure to deliver results, and if that means signing an old crock like 35 year old Steve Menzies they'll do it. Of course Bradford could have saved the large sum of money they'll be paying Menzies next year and put it towards putting a roof over the vast swathes of crumbling open terrace that are still at Odsal. Instead Steve Menizes gets a nice retirement fund and the Odsal speccies continue to get soaking wet when it rains.
As for the idea of almost total support for licencing, Fletcher clearly hasn't done his homework. I can assure him that there is little or no support for licencing in the National Leagues. Fletcher may find it "fascinating" now to see if clubs outside Super League will prosper, I wonder if he'll feel the same way when clubs start going to the wall?
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Comment number 3.
At 20th Jul 2008, DoubleBlackDiamond wrote:Totally agree with the last couple of comments!
Most clubs and fans are AGAINST the Francise thing.
Those people that are for it, lets not put your club in and see if you are still for it then!!
I think it is rather amusing that Leigh, Widnes, Fev and even Celtics could STILL finish in the NL1 relegation zone and get promoted!!!
What a totally stupid system!!! How many other Sports do you see clubs finishing mid table or worse get 'promoted'.
If SL is to expand, it should ALWAYS be the best two clubs i.e. Salford and Halifax. How the heck can Widnes, Leigh and Fev make SL claims when they are 4th best at best (after Salford, Fax and CC) in there current league - CRAZY!!!
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Comment number 4.
At 20th Jul 2008, DoubleBlackDiamond wrote:"It will be fascinating to see whether those that miss out can still prosper"
Yeah - It will be fascinating to see a club that has survived for over 100 years merge with a great rival or die out altogether !!!!!!!!
Suppose it would be fascinating to see what would have come of the World if Germany had won 60-odd years ago!!!!!!!!!
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Comment number 5.
At 20th Jul 2008, PolskaWolf wrote:If the RFL is concerned about the number of foreign players in Super League, why not just impose a limit on the number of non English or European players a club is allowed to field?
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Comment number 6.
At 21st Jul 2008, Paul Fletcher wrote:I can fully understand the justified concerns of fans fearing for the future of traditional clubs that are not granted a licence.
However, I really don't believe that they are just going to be left to wilt and die by the RFL.
The sport's governing body is currently considering proposals for a Millennium Magic style weekend and a licence system at Nation League level.
"Following the success of the Magic
Weekend, clubs have expressed an interest for a similar style event for the
National Leagues and this is something we are looking into developing," said RFL chief executive Nigel Wood.
"It's also encouraging that clubs are considering a form of licensing that
will help improve standards across the board."
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Comment number 7.
At 21st Jul 2008, Graeme_Duggan wrote:If 'most' of the clubs are against the introduction of the new system then why did a majority vote for it?
Promotion and relegation just is not viable in the modern game, with the gap in finances and quality of players between Super League and NL1. Look at Leigh in 2005, what did Super League or the club gain from that? They got hammered most weeks, got rubbish crowds and a great deal of the players who had helped to create a successful NL1 side over a number of years had to move on. Many clubs nearly or actually did go to the wall trying to avoid relegation or gain promotion, Widnes last year being the most recent example.
With respect to Bradford signing Steve Menzies, I completely agree that is a waste of money, but I don't see how sticking with the current system would prevent it. As the criteria for franchising become more and more strict, you would like to think that this type of signing will become a thing of the past.
With regard to PolskaWolfs comment, they already have, but many Australians have European passports, however the RFL are introducing a system where clubs must have at least 5 home-grown players in their squad, at least 10 players from the club's home federation (the European Union) and a maximum of 10 from outside the federation. This changes next year to six home-grown, 10 'home-fed' and 9 from outside, and, in 2011, to 8 home-grown, 12 home-fed and 5 from outside.
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Comment number 8.
At 21st Jul 2008, Paul Fletcher wrote:The Sports Business Group at Deloitte have carried out some analysis in the move to the licence system.
And senior manager Mark Roberts has reached some pretty interesting conclusions about what the licence system will mean to the smaller clubs in SL.
He said: “Three years will hopefully allow smaller clubs the chance to develop on the pitch and bring better competitive balance to the league as a whole.
"A newly promoted club from the National League One would usually have to weigh up how much to invest in new playing staff when they are likely to be involved in a relegation battle.
"The absence of relegation means clubs can invest in the squad and player development with confidence, without needing instant results and aim to be more competitive in years two and three whilst continuing to invest in their youth team, stadia and so on."
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Comment number 9.
At 21st Jul 2008, hackerjack wrote:The license system should work better than simple promotion and relegation.
It gives clubs who gain a licence the chance to bed into the league and improve gradually (e.g. Catalans) instead of fearing the drop the very next season and thus splurging out on older foreigners in a bid to stay up.
It also gives the clubs who fail a good indicator fo what they need to do to have a better chance next time around.
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Comment number 10.
At 21st Jul 2008, vaughancanttoss wrote:Anyone who says that the franchise system will improve standards in Super League must have an interest in one of the 14 clubs. Super League has already taken most of the pride and passion out of the game and this system can only make things worse. I understand the point that relegation threatened teams will have more security and confidence to build but at who's expense ? and with all the off-field rebuilding in the world, what incentive will there be for players to give 100% on the pitch, when losing doesn't matter. My team Wakefield have decided to stop playing for the last few matches just because they have been lucky enough to get to the semi final of the cup. How can they afford to do that ? Because theres no relegation of course
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Comment number 11.
At 21st Jul 2008, dano_997 wrote:As a commited Union fan, and having lived in Yorkshire, one thing has always struck me about Rugby League fans.
They are utterly commited and totally loyal to their sport.
I just wonder if the games elite isnt just taking advantage of this fact - it doesnt seem fair to me to bring in franchises and ban promotion and relegation.
rory - aberdeen
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Comment number 12.
At 21st Jul 2008, dano_997 wrote:As a commited Union fan and having lived in Yorkshire, one thing has always struck me about Rugby League fans.
They are totally commited and loyal to their sport.
I wonder if by bringing in the franchises, the Rugby League elite isnt taking advantage of the loyalty of the fans.
rory in aberdeen
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Comment number 13.
At 22nd Jul 2008, DoubleBlackDiamond wrote:Only 30 more minutes now til the death of Rugby League - is everybody getting excited?!?!?!?
I can't wait to see all the negative comments on here when terms that deserve it don't get in!!! We'll see who is FOR the idea then!!
If the league is to have 14 teams it should be THE BEST ON THE FIELD teams - and on current form thats Salford and Halifax along with the 12 existing SL Teams.
Salford have been in SL as recently as last year, Hx have finished 3rd (last season) and just missed out on the NL Grand Final in 2005 and 2007. They have had the most consistant U21 side outside of SL for the past 3 years, winning the U21 NL1 Grand Final in 2006 and 2007. How can anything other than on the field form decide promotion and relegation???
Can you imagine football saying 'Oh, we have too many Premiership Clubs in London, Manchester and Liverpool, lets get rid of either Arsenal or Chelsea, Man U or Man City, Everton or Liverpool'
It would, and should NEVER happen, in ANY sport, especially not this one I have grown up and love watching!!!!
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Comment number 14.
At 22nd Jul 2008, Time For Heroes wrote:Widnes R.L.F.C
Rest in Peace :(
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Comment number 15.
At 22nd Jul 2008, DoubleBlackDiamond wrote:Leigh RLFC
Widnes RLFC
Halifax RLFC
Rugy League R.I.P
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