THE Rugby Football League have warned the sport's top clubs they must take immediate steps to improve after it emerged that more than half of the Super League licences awarded earlier this week are of the lowest possible grade.
Of the 14 clubs which secured a licence guaranteeing them three years in Super League from 2009, only three – Hull, Leeds and Warrington – were classified as Grade A.
Three others, Bradford, St Helens and Wigan, were categorised as Grade B with th
e rest – Catalans, Castleford, Celtic Crusaders, Harlequins, Huddersfield, Hull KR, Salford and Wakefield – meriting Grade C licences.
The latter clubs are regarded as being most vulnerable to losing their place in the sport's elite division after 2011, when the RFL will again invite applications for three-year licences from 2012.
Many of the clubs fall down on the standard of their facilities or junior development and RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis said yesterday they have a huge amount of work to do.
He also offered a beacon of hope to the clubs outside Super League who aspire to join in the future by confirming that one club from the National Leagues will be given a licence in 2011 subject to them meeting qualifying standards. This includes playing in a National One grand final in the next three years.
"The three clubs that received A grade licences deserve special commendation as they are impressive both on and off the field," said Lewis. "Of course we hope these clubs maintain these high standards over the licence period.
"The goal for the other 11 teams is to look at the detailed feedback they have received from the RFL on their licence application and work out what they need to do to achieve an A grade next time round. The hard work for many starts here.
"For clubs who have ambitions for new stadiums, they need to ensure by 2010 when the next licence application process starts, that they are more than just plans. The clubs that have missed out this time round will be even more determined to win a licence in the future."
The RFL, meanwhile, have asked their counterparts in France to enter a club into National League One from next season or 2010 and are investigating the possibility of welcoming an Irish club in future years.
Toulouse Olympique, who were unsuccessful in their bid for a Super League licence on Tuesday, are the favourites to be considered, but the French Federation have been given until September 30 to nominate a club. If a French team were to enter National One they would not participate in the Northern Rail Cup and existing National One clubs would be given financial assistance to meet travelling costs.
"We believe the inclusion of a French club in Co-operative National League One would add tremendous value and interest to the competition," said the RFL's chief executive Nigel Wood.
"It would give the league a broader appeal, offer all supporters an exciting new element to their viewing experience,
create added interest for broadcast partners and continue to drive up playing standards at this level of the sport."
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