Salford have today announced another Aussie signing. Are they playing to the same rules as everyone else and should the other clubs (including ours) take action?

From next season clubs can have 7 non-fed players and/with/or 5 overseas.

So effectively two extra Kolpak players. It's probbly for a few reasons; Koukash and London, maybe Wakefield.

Isn't Kaufusi Tongan...?

... by the way I'm not entirely sure how Salford's signings fit into this revised quota ruling. I only assume it's 'accordingly'.

It's all done "live" via the RFL, so mistakes can't happen..............

It strikes me that people see the signings Salford make, jump to some vague and purely bull conclusion that "it must be in breach of quotas, well, stands to sense, innit" without knowing the numbers or checking the rules, and then post indignant bilge.

I'm sorry, but do you really think Salford would sign a player and commit to big money without first knowing for a fact that their quota rules were in order? And that the player and his agent would be so stupid too? Really?

Do you not know that in order to sign a player, you have to register him, lodge his contract etc and the RFL monitors eligibility etc "live"?

Or maybe all the above, but without even knowing the quota categories or what players fall into which, you'd rather accuse the RFL of a conspiracy to relax the rules in Salford's case - a conspiracy which of course ALL the other competing SL clubs are happy to overlook.

FFS, get a grip, people. To me, it's great that another club - in this case, Salford, but it could be anybody, I don't care - is maing a big noise, a big splash, and a big effort. All concerned should be applauded, and I look forward to watching Nobby's New Salford over the next few years to see how he puts it all together.

It would've helped if the RFL had announced the quota changes to the fans though, that way people would've understood better. I - you're average joe fan - read it this last Monday in a small article in [iLeague Express[/i and came to the conclusion this may explain Salford signings.

There was a theory Smith was off-quota to allow Wakefield to use the money, that would stack up. Also similar happened with Crusaders and their exemptions.

Also, an immediate example of registering players, London signed Jarrad Hickey in 2012 and couldn't play him due to their being no room under the quota at that time. So it can happen.

Some fans shout off and look like a fool, some ask the question of how and others say nothing and then finger wag later.

Other example that springs to mind is sammut for us this year. His exemption that he got for playing at crusaders should have run out at end of his first contract after crusaders, yet it was mysteriously extended when he re-signed for us last year. AFAIK it was never explained anywhere why it was extended. So maybe we shouldnt be so quick to throw stones. people in glasshouses and all that.

We successfully argued that had we known about the up coming exemptions for the Crusaders players we would have waited and then signed him on a longer contract as two other clubs had done.

So he'll lose his exemption at end of his current deal?

Yes from what I'm led to believe.

Good job non fed quotas increasing to seven then. Assume sammut doesn't count overseas quota due to malteses heritage.

I was just about to ask if his Maltese passport mattered. Is it EU related?

Oh I dunno. If he scores loads then someone else will have to go...

Two different quotas that run in parallel. Overseas quota is one which players can get round with EU passports. Non fed trained quota was brought in to stop this and is one sammut currently has a exemption for. It's the non fed trained quota which is increasing, I think to 7.

Ta.

I knew the changes, but not where Sammut sat on it.

Without wanting to be y to silsdenbull, but if correct that could be worth adding to the squad list thread!

So can we sign another kolpak (forward) and overseas player (gob smacking kiwi centre from the Warriors) and still have enough quota for Sammut next year?

I'd be more interested in how they fit them all under the "Salary Cap"!!!

Well, one of our yet to be announced signings is definitely non-fed trained.

Well, as far as I can tell the rules haven't changed yet. There has been no RFL official press release, unless I've missed it, and the operational rules that I've just read this morning from the RFL website don't currently show any change in the Club trained or Quota rules; Sorry for the long copy and paste but I thought it might help for clarity;

[i"CLUB TRAINED
B1:12 The purpose behind the “Home Grown Player” Rule is:
a. to encourage Clubs to develop and better develop their own players so that there are more players coming into the game and so that the standard improves; and
b. to afford an opportunity to junior players to play in top level competitive matches in order to aid their development and ensure the development of the sport.
Definitions. “Federation” means the RLEF;
B1:12A
At the time of notification in any season of the Provisional First Team Squad and First Team Squad and following any amendments during the season, a Club’s First Team Squad, where that Club is in Super League, must consist of:
a. a maximum of 5 players who satisfy none of the definitions of Club Trained, Federation Trained or are working towards either classification.
b. a minimum of 8 Club Trained Players or Academy Juniors working towards that classification.
c. the remainder being made up of Club Trained, Federation Trained Players or Academy Juniors working towards either classification.[/i"


Thats as of this morning from the RFL website, I take it these rules are changing and clubs (?), press (?) and other individuals (?) have been briefed prior to the changes. And I'm sure it used to say the aim was for the 5 quota to reduce to 4 but I cant find copy of that as its been removed I think. But this is why it is valid to question and discuss Salford, or indeed ourselves with the sammut/new non fed player issue in terms of recruitments which appear to be in conflict with the current operational rules and quota limits. If all clubs have been briefed these rules are changing and plan their recruitment accordingly then fine (even though I think its a massive step backwards as these quota/club trained rules were one of the things the RFL has got right IMO). If the rules are not changing or only certain clubs have been told then its not fine. Hopefully all will be revealed in an RFL statement when they change the operational rules or with other annoucements after the EGM on the 9th October.

And for the avoidance of doubt, I think its great that Salford have got new investment and are looking to move up the table, its good for the game, but they have made pronouncments about the quota and cap, and now they've signed a lot of quota and marque players and the rules are changing (apparently) so a discussion about the situation is to be expected, it would be the same whichever club it was. Im sure the RFL will clarify things around the EGM.

The thing I don't understand is the reason for the changes.

The RFL brought in the Non Fed and Quota rules and the minimum of 8 club trained players to promote chances for home grown players. Within a couple of years of these rules being enforced they're watering them down. Are there too many club trained players? No. So what's the reason?

These changes are definitely happening, but FC and the club have been aware of the alterations for a while so nobody is at a disadvantage.
The reason they are changing is because of the regionalised academies that are going to be set up within the next couple of years. I think this stems from the academy review that the RFL carried out earlier this year, when quite a few of the academy set ups were found to be of a poor standard. So much so that the RFL decided to set up regionalised academies in certain areas, rather than each team having to run their own.
As a result, the home grown player pool reduces and also becomes uneven for some teams. This is why the number has gone down from 8 to 7.
As for the non-fed rule, this is either a knock-on effect of the academy changes, or something loosely related to the world cup. I suspect the former, but I wouldn't be surprised if the WC uncovers a few hidden gems, and the increased non-fed spots may allow some clubs to add to their roster after the comp is over - quite late in the day for squad additions. Adam Pearson has specifically stated he is leaving some non-fed/quota spots free for the WC.

My thoughts too.

Only put much better.

There have been rumblings from amateur clubs about the number of young players 'tied up' in the academies [ie not available to play amateur so maybe that has something to do with it.

Without trying to understand the quota / non fed rule
Think it means more room to manover
And may see a mr f winterstein pull on
The jersey next year