I think that we are at a critical stage at the develop of Rugby League and that the next few months will set the tone for the development of the game both on and off the field for years to come.
We have had Bradford go bust and now Salford and Hull KR heading for trouble. The days of benefactors coming in on a white steed to save RL clubs are over and a new model has to be found for sustainable community clubs engaging with the supporters, community, schools and council providing products, not just rugby, for the benefit of all.
The proposals for the youth development of SL clubs will serioulsy compromise the Championship competition and be the death knell for ambitious Championship clubs ever receiving a SL franchise. Its spells the end of a team comprised of locally produced talent for those who choose to become feeder clubs. More investment has to be put in to developing youth within the sport not LESS.
The franchise system is beyond salvation and prevents a massive barrier for investors to Championship clubs who cannot progress despite the success of the club on the pitch. Some form of promotion and relegation needs to be introduced.
False hurdles have to be dropped. A criteria of 10,000 capacity stadium has to be dropped as it places an overhead on clubs who in many cases will never justify the facility. See London, Salford, Castleford attendances.
The RFL has to acknowledge that the game needs wholesale restructuring from top to bottom and a sustainable business model and youth model has to be developed that can be trialed and transposed to all clubs not just SL clubs otherwise the game is bankrupt.
The RFL governs by consent of all clubs not just SL clubs and I trust that they will make the correct decisions in the coming months for the benefit of the game as a whole not just the chosen few.