In the November following the expiry of the contract they had when the rules were changed (again), players here for the start of the 2008 season become fed-trained. That is the best and most recent interpretation I have seen (on the Hull board in fact). Gene and Aizue are already on this. Fitzhenry, Lovegrove and Newton will be eligible this November. I suspect Vella and/or Fisher might also qualify. We are more limited by PR, than the rules in all honesty.

Cusack should qualify for you, I think, as would Motu Tony if you kept him iirc. And maybe Aizue, if we believe Bandito. I'm sure the RFL will tell us if we err, so you needn't worry.

I think im right in saying due to him been on an academy contract he doesnt count on the quota.

We did get a two-year dispensation for him. It was the only one we have had that is 'special'. Gene's possibly was special (though not maybe not unique - Finnigan and Henderson(?) successfully claimed exemptions iirc) for a couple of weeks (though unneccessary during that particular period, from a playing rather than contract renewal POV), before the RFL decided to phase the changes in more slowly in the face of opening flood gates.

I thought the dispensation was only to non quota players

I've just read something online that seems to indicate it's just those with an EU passport or kolpack players who are eligible, not someone who needs a work visa to play here

are'nt you quite the new mrs barista!

How dare you? I've never been so insulted in my life

You should get out more then

Any player signed pre Feb 08 can apply on current contract end.

There's only one.

Do you know where the rules are on the web? I can't find anything official

Email from the RFL:


Also [url=http://www.therfl.co.uk/clientdocs/Operational%20Rules%20Part%202.pdfrelevant part of the Operational Rules[/url that defines Non-Fed etc. Bottom of Page 2.

Nope. Only non-fed trained players - i.e. those with a legal right to work in the UK but who started their career in another country.

Players from Australia or NZ will remain 'quota' players and can't apply to be classed as federation trained.

Cheers, thought that was the case

So our current 5 are Webster, Galea, Fitzhenry, Dobson and Newton, I assume - with Vella being Maltese. Unless Galea also becomes Maltese or possibly if Newton gets in touch with his American side(?), it will be one in for each one out. Mannering, for example could come in, in place of Fitzhenry but any other arrivals from down under would mean one of the contracted-for-2010 players leaving.

Given how few of the squad are OOC, I doubt we'll see wholesale changes. A couple of kids, a couple of fed-trained and maybe someone like Mannering.

Americans still need visas!

woo hoo how many Gateshull fans on our board lately

I don't get it lol

Looks about right. And it makes no difference if Newton gains a US passport as that still won't give him a legal right to work in the UK so he'll stay on the 'quota'.

From 2011 the total number of overseas players drops to 5, which is the same as the 'quota'. So there will effectively be no difference between the two groups (quota and non-fed) any more.

But that would be simple!

doesnt that mean we can have 5 quota players and 5 overseas players?
(as in 5 of each....10?)

A first time for everything.

No. In fact I have no idea how you came to that conclusion.