Not seen this level of detail before, (maybe I was sleeping). So on the assumption that the 2014 system will be something similar and that we're in NM, how close can we get?

[urlhttp://www.code13rugbyleague.com/2011/07/26/super-league-licensing-grading-criteria-and-assessments/[/url

Makes interesting reading:

For example, those clubs that have been awarded A Grade Licences have:

- Commercial income of at least £1m in each of 2009 and 2010.
- Average weekly home crowds of at least 10,000 in either the 2008, 2009 or 2010 seasons, and an average home crowd of at least 9,000 in the other 2 seasons.
- =#FF0000At least 5,000 season ticket holders in 2009 or 2010.
- A stadium with an operational capacity of at least 12,000, with at least 12,000 of the stadium capacity under cover and at least 5,000 seats (all of which are under cover and available for use).
- Audited turnover of at least £4m for the financial year ending in 2009 and unaudited turnover of at least £4m for the financial year ending in 2010.
- A Business Plan which includes budgeted profit and loss accounts and cash flow statements covering the four year period 01/01/2011 to 31/12/2014.
- =#FF0000All NI/PAYE/VAT payments up to date, with the exclusion of any ongoing investigation or recent extraordinary assessments.
- Achieved a top eight finish in any of the 2008, 2009 or 2010 Super League competitions.
- A four-year Player Development Strategy covering 2011 to 2014, with a clearly defined pathway from school to club to Service Area to Professional Club. The plan must stipulate budget and staffing structures.
- Demonstrated over the course of the 2009 or 2010 seasons that their community activity has engaged at least 10,000 individuals with the club.

The following full time employees:
- CEO
- Media Lead with at least 2 years experience
- Marketing Lead with at least 2 years experience
- Community Lead
- Commercial Lead with at least 2 years experience
- Financial Controller
- Player Performance Manager

B Grade clubs

Clubs that meet most of, but not all the A Grade criteria or satisfied the RFL Board that they will meet the A Grade criteria in the next round of licensing have been awarded a B Grade licence.

C Grade clubs

Clubs that failed to meet a significant number of the A Grade criteria, or were unable to satisfy the RFL Board that they would be able to meet the A Grade criteria in the next round of licensing, have been awarded a C Grade.

I think if we get into a new stadium then, in time, we can attain grade A status.
Much of what we do now is already at that level and if we put an attractive competitive team on the field we'll not only attract significantly more home fans but our fixtures will be seen as key games which away fans will travel to.

I was thinking about the stadium capacity the other day, the development was 12k and could extend to 15k with the corners added.

if expansion was ever to knock on with it we could be left with a small stadium and be graded a A minus for capacity reasons



ah well not in my life time

get a grade b to start with

Snowie don't worry about the size of the stadium. If we could get 80000 in week in week out we have done well. Still have a chuckle about the Newmarket development announcement with folk saying that 12500 capacity was not big enough lol!

If we could get that many week in week out - we'd be the biggest club on the planet!

would be like sardines

Hull KR would still get more!

Agreed, but with the stadium I think it all comes down to numbers of supporters (5000 season tickets/10000 average) which AG seems reasonably successful with so far.

I think a B in the next round is definitely achievable, in that we would meet most of the A criteria and be on course to meet them all within the following round 2015-17. Unlocking that support is the key.

yes and the right pr and we will get it

it is achievable to double the original season ticket holders with the right signings

If(when

) you build it they will come

So do I - in fact, I'd be disappointed if we didn't; no room for taking the foot off the gas for the next 3 years.

Providing Newmarket goes through as planned then then the only thing that I could see us falling down on is the required number of season ticket holders but should we get Newmarket then hopefully this will give us a boost in attendances like Warrington had when they moved.

You have to remember for us to survive for next 3 years they must be paying supporters, after the euphoria of tuesday theres a huge reality check needed too, we have been in SL last 3 years, and hey presto, went bankrupt, why?? for trying to pay competative wages with little fans base comparatively, think we have to ask ourselves are we willing to put up with 2 or 3 years like this year to be solvent or is there some big money round the corner to make us competative?

Newmarket with our current fan base will not save WTRLFC, fun as tuesday was, it changes nothing for our long term survival, sorry.

...not comparable, warrington moved at the same time as a huge injection of cash from a backer, ther fans came cos the players were there, it has nothing to do with shiny stadiums.

its a simple question, would you stand in the rain and watch us win every week or be in a nice shiny stadium and pay 20 quid a week to watch us get towelled??

vasty has made some good points re this on other threds, read them, hes right.

I am not saying we are suddenly going to attract 4000 new fans just because we are playing in a shiny stadium but I think we will get a fair few extras and also more away fans may come if they don't have to stand in the rain.

They won't have to stand in the rain at BV next year

again a simple question why do you think that re away fans??

ive got hailed on at hkr many times and loved it cos game was good, saints away was never a holiday resort, some of the best times have been at salford, and i havbe hardly ever enjoyed going to huddersfield, you see...rugby league fans do not mind getting a bit wet, but they do not want to turn up and see garbage, we are not at the opera here, if its raining ill wear a hat.

To be honest I am just going on what I have read on other clubs forums where several posters have said they dont want to pay their money to get wet.

I agree with you though that some of the older less luxurious grounds are more enjoyable to visit than new stadiums that lack sole such as the Galpharm.

its a simple arguement to win......you just have to turn it to the entertainment recieved.... and say, go on then explain glastonbury!!!!!!!!

It's not quite that simple if, like me, you take two kids with you; they're not quite as accepting of the 'wear a hat' argument.

Like it or not, the next generation of fans will be more likely to turn out if the stadium is under cover and has seats, non-smelly bogs and easy access to expensive drinks and snacks.

....but that's the point. You/we are not the target audience for new fans. We go to watch a good game regardless of the surroundings/conditions. The people who don't come -don't.

We cannot attract these wusses to a broken-down/wet Belle Vue to even see if they enjoy the game. People have become very fussy/snobby about surroundings. Just look at the born-again plastic seaters at Huddersfield and Wigan, they're the biggest whingers about BV.

I hate sitting down to watch rugby, but the modern generation want it. It will be interesting to see how the attendance goes next season with improved facilities, that should be a pointer. Obviously a successful team is important, but it's not everything as has been proven by the increased attendance this year.

I'm not saying 'build it and they will come' I'm saying 'don't build it and they will never come'. We get a fair few newbies for the 'celeb' days like this weekend, but I'm sure they're put off from returning by the facilities.

bring back entertainment

Suppose that my point snowie, Im not pro or against Newmarket, I personally dont like sitting at games, but can see the argument re future generation, what I dont get is the Newmarket solves all mentality, if the product is dull people will not come back, and for the last 2 years the prooduct has been awful. We are competing like it or not with premier league footy, cricket, and summer weather for attendances / intrest and at the moment we are losing badly, the green poster marketing of tomorrow says it all for me, the game is second billing at best!