Serves me right for reading and believing the RFL website.

So they have a kind of semi elite academy, meaning elite is not quite so elite, only on RL

I’ve just been reading the League Express and there is a an article (bottom right page 3) regarding some clubs backing the IMG proposals, and John Minards is one who Backs the proposal. I would hope the club hold another fans forum to allow MC and JM, to explain the benefits not just for the game but for Trinity in particular, because I, as most on here are Rugby League supporters, we are Trinity Fans First .
Now everyone has taken few days to read and think about the proposals, I get the feeling that he initial good feeling for the idea, people are beginning to have second thoughts.

If all they do is market the game properly then it benefits Wakefield Trinity.

Pop Tart, I’m an old cynic when it comes to RL management. No matter how well the game is marketed, there will be some clubs it will not benefit equally, as we all know some clubs are more equal than others. Remember this, Grade “A” clubs will not be relegated no matter how bad they perform, and grade B&C clubs will be moved around like chess pawns to ensure the top tier maintains Status Quo. It will take years for some established clubs to get a sniff of an A grade, by which time some clubs will no longer exist. I’ve not seen any information that suggests a league of more than 14 “A” graders. So once that 14 club league is completed and no one relegated, what then?

Maybe, at this stage, they want to be seen as being on board.
Any club, being strongly against the changes, could find themselves with a steeper hill to climb.

Let's be honest here, whichever set of criteria is put forward will help some clubs more than others and certainly, if different aspects are weighted more heavily than others, certain clubs will benefit.
Even though they have said there will be no mergers, IF part of the criteria is proximity to other clubs, this would hepl say, London, York and Newcastle and would count in the minus column for us.
Having said that, details need to be given to clubs at the earliest opportunity, so that they can get on with counting plastic seats and toilets with a closing lid etc.

So how many teams will be in Super League?
In IMG's words, that is 'open and fluid'. The goal is that in the coming years, those Category B clubs who get a place in Super League develop on and off the field to such an extent they are awarded Category A grading. Once Super League has 12 Category A teams - Super League won't be reduced to ten teams, it will remain at 12 - the prospect of expanding the competition to include more teams becomes a reality.

Open and Fluid. To me this really is open to abuse, the “A” team can decide who joins them, and only if the funding will stretch to additional newcomers.

When does the grading system kick in?
Clubs will be told their initial grading at the end of next year, ahead of them being rolled out on an illustrative basis for 2024. That means next year is the final year with conventional promotion and relegation as we know it. Then, in late-2024, after a review of the grades has taken place, 2025 sees the Category A clubs in Super League, joined by the highest-ranked Category B clubs that takes the total to 12.

Then, in late-2024, after a review of the grades has taken place, 2025 sees the Category A clubs in Super League, joined by the highest-ranked Category B clubs that takes the total to 12

This doesn’t give the “B” teams much time to get themselves organised for the new season, and those “B” teams not selected for the 12, have to adjust to the expectation of lower funding.

Along with a likely complete mess for players having contracts cancelled too. As I said it will be hard for B clubs to plan and sign players to long term contracts if they can just be torn up.

If I were a player and I got offered two contracts from a B and an A club for 3 years yet the B offered 5k more a year I’d probably still sign for the A club for the guaranteed security.

There’s so many questions but the A clubs will have advantage in all areas certainly for initial/early years of the transition.

But the worry about not being A grade and pointing at IMG is what holds us back.
We've been given a target (or will be) to achieve an A grade status and secure our future.
Rather than moan that they are against us, surely we target the areas we need to improve and go get the A status.
Simples.

Absolutely, just think it’s going to be more challenging for some clubs than others. I expect we may have to put a lot of effort and have further facility improvements to be considered an A. We won’t truly know what’s needed to get an A until it’s released though.

It’s unknown at the moment and I guess the concern is that we have only 2 years (or less) to secure either a top B or A status. That’s a very short amount of time imho.

I’m confident we are starting on a good position in a few areas though such as youth, community and financial management. I have confidence in those who run the club to show the improvement necessery.

You and PT are probably correct, I just think IMG will give considerable weight to teams outside the normal heartland, London, York, Newcastle, even Cornwall has been mentioned, I just feel Trinity are being elbowed out, I hope I’m wrong and IMG will be squeaky clean when it comes to awarding criteria points.

The new stand and stadium improvements aswell as the car park
The incredible financial stability and professional way the clubs is run under Michael Carter, our acadeny and owning our own ground all things that will help our grading

If it is that we don’t make A then we are well on the way to it

We just need to make some good signings and have a good year on the pitch on top of the nee stand now

I’m actually quietly optimistic that the future is bright for us

Watching this from a distance all I see is smoke (no mirrors yet) .. to release a concept with no definition of the concept detail is concerning,

Any assessment must be against the quality of approach of the business plan (holistic plan) and whether the plan is achieving the necessary outcomes for the business..

For example a business plan would include revenue, crowds and growth, community engagement, sponsorship and business transactions, growth of the sport in the community, creating quality pathways for young players and coaches… success on the field across all teams…

It would/ should not include variables outside the business’s control… like location or owners. The business should be stand alone and not rely on subsidies. I’m not saying that teams shouldn’t have rich owners… just that that should not feature in the assessment of the business.

IMO

Wealthy business owners is just another revenue stream. You can't pick and choose

I think I just did!

You may be right and it would be a tragedy for those who have worked so hard to raise the level of the club. Sadly, the hard fact is, we don't have the appeal that seems to be required, we've struggled for years, or 'fan base' is pathetic (but in another way damned good to say our last major trophy was over 50 years ago!) and only now is our ground taking shape.
I feel very much our fate is in our hands, and although the theory of what we have to do, as PT puts it is 'simples' the realisation of it is quite the opposite!

Probably another barrier for us is that I read there will be a minimum spend cap for superleague and the cap will be raised.

We may have to find a way to commit ion 2025 to meeting this cap or spending above it.

I suppose that’s why it’s going to mean a lot of hard work on the marketing front and raising attendances along with increasing revenue streams in corporate, events, sponsorship and catering.

It’s going to be a busy 2 years for trinity. That’s for sure.

The real interesting part, once the final tier 1 is sorted is, what are IMG expecting or planning as far as promoting the game and increasing any type of broadcast deal ?

Lol. Yes you did.

We don’t have until 2024 we must survive in SL at the end of 2023 because do we actually believe we would gain anything from applying from the Championship. They may say all clubs are treated the same but the Championship operates with a smaller budget, lower crowds and our ground albeit better than Castleford will still be let down by the West Stand. I don’t think refurbishing the plastic seats will gain us much favour with IMG.
Castleford will be downgraded on facilities but will gain points for their average league position, crowds, marketing and contribution to SL by actually reaching a final.

"Aaand, always look on the bright side of life........"

No just being in the real world not one that is inhabited by those who do not want to accept the reality of SL life.
I think you should refer to your own definition and see how it relates to us.

I think we've always been good at doing the stuff away from the first team: academies and community work. Where we have always struggled is financial stability and facilities.

We have sorted financial stability and facilities. The remaining matter is minimum spend. The main barrier to that is an outside investor, but of course guaranteed super league status might encourage that, so potentially we are further ahead than a lot of clubs. The ground half-way to being top-grade on all sides. Financially stable. Academy and reserves. Women's team. Community work. We tick every box, in my view, apart from the potential minimum spend. If an investor need only tick that box, we have the look of a category A club.

That is perhaps why JM is supportive

Can you point me to the criteria that teams will be judged upon?

Just my view based on what you would expect the criteria to be based on the previous review. I certainly don’t think our chances would be increased from the Championship, I guess you might but I do not.

You got all from a simple question?!

No our chances would not be improved being in the lower tier however nobody knows what the criteria is. It does sound like IMG are wanting strong clubs as opposed to just strong first teams though, which given the infrastructure that's has been put in place recently will stand us in good stead. Either way we need to stay in the top-flight to give ourselves the best chance of making it.