Rugby League Coaching Manuals

The Rugby Football League will reveal on today which 14 clubs have been granted a licence to compete in Super League from next season. The current 12 Super League clubs have all applied, as have French champions Toulouse and six National League teams.

Applications were submitted by the end of March and have since been assessed according to 10 different criteria.

The licence runs until the end of the 2011 season and there will be no relegation under the new system.

The RFL's board of directors met last week to finalise their decision.

It will inform the 19 clubs of their decision at 0945 BST on Tuesday and publicly announce the successful applicants 15 minutes later.

"It has been heartening to see how well the clubs have applied themselves to putting together their business plans and analysing every part of their operations," said RFL lawyer Rod Findlay.

Each successful club will be awarded a category A, B or C licence, dependent on the assessment of their applications.  Paul Fletcher blog
The game of rugby league in Europe is on the cusp of a dramatic change
 

"Effectively the league will comprise clubs that are performing very well, clubs that are performing well but need to do more and clubs that absolutely need to do more," stated RFL chief executive Nigel Wood.

The Sports Business Group at Deloitte have analysed the move to the licence system.

And senior manager Mark Roberts said: "This is the first time a major UK sport has moved away from the concept of on-pitch results - and hence promotion or relegation - deciding which clubs will make up a league.

"There are some strong arguments to support such a move in Rugby League. Improved financial stability, a more competitive league, increased revenues and investment, and better wage control are expected to be among the main benefits of the system."

The 12 clubs currently in Super League are widely expected to be awarded a licence, with two places for the remaining five clubs.

Wakefield are seen as the current Super League club in most danger of missing out on a licence but Wildcats general manager Francis Stephenson said: "I've said all along, we're satisfied that there are very few teams from outside the League who do the amount of work that we do and that puts us in great stead to get a licence."

Welsh side Celtic Crusaders, Featherstone Rovers, Halifax RLFC, Leigh Centurions, Salford City Reds and Widnes Vikings have applied from National League One.

The decision has been made by the five-strong RFL board, which includes three non-executive directors.

 The five clubs that fail with their applications will be devastated

Widnes chief executive Stephen O'Connor 

It comprises RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis and chief executive Nigel Wood, as well as former head of sport at BBC Manchester Ian Edwards, prominent sports lawyer Maurice Watkins and former Morrison's Plc chief executive Bob Stott.

Although the successful applicants will have a three-year licence the RFL has the right to revoke a club's membership at any time for reasons such as insolvency, contractual breach, persistent under performance and persistent rule-breaking.

Having held a long consultation period prior to the submission of the applications, the RFL is confident that they will not face any legal challenges from unsuccessful clubs.

Celtic Crusaders chief executive David Thompson said of the importance of securing a licence: "It's everything, we were set up for the purpose of getting Super League status.

"Also, I think getting the licence would be important for sport in Wales and league."

Salford, relegated from Super League last season, are hoping their plans for a new purpose-built stadium close to the M60 at Barton will help their application.

And City Reds scrum-half Robbie Paul believes Salford and Widnes should be awarded a licence.

"Of all the other National League clubs I've been to, Widnes have been the most prepared," commented the 32-year-old Kiwi.

Widnes chief executive Stephen O'Connor said: "I see no reason why Widnes should not achieve a B status licence but the five clubs that fail with their applications will be devastated. BBC Sport