Licence to shine as grades axed

The governing body has liased with clubs to deliver a more rounded criteria and will class applicants for 2012-14 against an ideal example rather than the previous points system.

In the last round of licensing awarded in 2008, clubs amassed up to 10 points for various criteria such as facilities, attendances, playing strength, finance and geographical considerations and were duly awarded an A, B or C grade.

Applications are due for the next round in April with numerous Super League clubs – most notably Castleford Tigers, Wakefield Trinity Wildcats and Salford City Reds – sweating on whether they will secure another three-year stint or suffer demotion.

The RFL has already said one current outfit will lose its spot with a Championship team definitely being promoted and an independent RFL Board will again determine which are awarded licences.

An announcement is scheduled for next July but the RFL's compliance manager Blake Solly yesterday explained how the process will alter.

"We took some feedback from clubs and the feeling was the issue of points was a blunt instrument," he said.

"There needed to be a more subjective, detailed criteria that gave an accurate assessment of how a club was actually positioned.

"The basis for assessment this time around will be against A grade criteria.

"There's around 50 criteria in five key areas and what it's designed to do is take what Super League Europe considers to be the model club, the best in the game; they are the best because they meet all those criteria.

"If you can meet all these criteria then you'll be an A grade yourself.

"It's a big change from last time around but in keeping with what the clubs wanted."

Commercial, marketing, media and community, facilities, finance, governance and business management along with playing strength and player performance strategy are the five key areas.

Examples of what each club needs to achieve to gain the highest award are 5,000 season ticket holders, audited turnover of at least 4m, home crowd averages of more than 10,000 in any of the previous three years – likewise, a minimum top eight finish – and facilities such as a 12,000 capacity all under-cover stadia.

Solly added: "It's designed to drive a continuous improvement in standards within the game and reward the high-performing clubs."

Championship clubs will have different qualifying criteria including reaching a Championship final or winning the Northern Rail Cup in 2009 or this season, a stadium with an operational capacity of 10,000, no insolvency in either of the last three years, a turnover of at least 1m in the 2009 or 2010 and an average attendance of at least 2,500 in either of the last two years.

This is drawn from the successful transition of Hull KR since their promotion in 2006 compared to the troubles Leigh previously suffered on their arrival in the top flight.

Currently, only Halifax and Widnes are likely to meet criteria although Featherstone, Leigh and Barrow are all hopeful of making an application come their December deadline.

The victorious club will discover its fate four months earlier than the rest of Super League in order for them to prepare, having seen the problems Crusaders encountered when they were included for the first time two years ago.

However, the RFL yesterday revealed that the unsuccessful Championship clubs – if they meet the minimum criteria – will get a second chance to succeed being placed and considered alongside any Super League club that finishes with a grade C.

In effect, although it remains unlikely, it has not ruled out two Championship clubs starting Super League in 2012, insisting the next 13 licences after the March announcement will come from the next best 13 applicants regardless of current division, heaping more pressure on those fearing for their safety.

Meanwhile, Hunslet Hawks can move a step closer to clinching the Championship One title when they entertain Workington this evening.

Timetable for Super League

September 2010 – Final qualifying round for Championship clubs

December 2010 – Championship club applications due to be submitted

March 2011 – Championship club that secures licence is announced

April 2011 – Super League club applications due to be submitted

July 2011 – Successful licenced clubs announced