Castleford Tigers confirm RFL and IMG grading error as they launch ambitious plan for 2025

The IMG gradings were released at 10am yesterday morning but just before then it was confirmed and announced by Castleford Tigers that they ranked 13th, something they attributed to an RFL error, and the club have now elaborated on what exactly happened.

One key reminder is that these current gradings are preliminary and effectively a ‘dummy run’ for this time next year, when at that point the grades will be confirmed and the leagues will be split accordingly based on where teams rank.

Of course with a 12 team Super League it meant that Castleford’s rank of 13th would in theory see them relegated from the competition, however the Tigers have now announced that their actual score should see them ranked 11th.

The club have released a statement explaining how the miscalculation and miscommunication took place, but perhaps more importantly to fans they have explained how the club intend to become a Grade A club before 2025.

IMG and the RFL have stated that all Grade A clubs will be assured a spot in Super League thus highlighting the Tigers ambition to remain at rugby league’s top table.

Their statement, shared to their website, read:

“Following on from yesterday’s IMG grading scores, we wanted to give some further clarity and reassurance. The scores given are indicative at this moment in time and have no bearing on our 2024 Super League season. This time next year the club will receive a new score which will determine Super League status for 2025.”

“Indicative scores

“We have been monitoring our scores for the last year and had an accurate view of what our points were, we expected to receive a score of around 12.6 to 12.95. On Monday we received the grading score of 12.66 and 11th place. Due to an RFL error, an additional 0.5 points were incorrectly added to our score (sent through on Monday morning) and our score therefore looked correct and what we expected it to be.

“On Monday we requested the detail behind the score, which was not sent through by the RFL. Mark Grattan then received a call at 7.30pm the night before the scores were to be announced (Tuesday evening). This call notified him of the RFL error which brought to light our data omission, due to their error masking the scores. The RFL corrected their error, they did not correct ours. The RFL told us that they were publishing the grades with us sat in 13th position and we would be able to appeal this once the grades were published.”

“Our points for 2025

“With the correct data included, we currently sit in 11th place with a grade B score of 12.91, our focus is to achieve the following extra points for the next round of grading:

“Performance – Maintain the score of 3.09.

“Fandom – Maintain the score of 4.20.

“Finance – increase our score by 0.75 to 3.8.

“Community – Maintain the score of 1.25.

“Stadium – increase by 1.35 points to 2.67

“If we manage to achieve all the above it would give the club a grade A score of 15.01 points.

“We are realistic in that there could be a chance that one of the scores may drop or we may not achieve every part of every target. If we can get to 14.25 points by the end of the 2024 season it sets us up really well around mid-table in Super League gradings and gives us the ability to push on to 15 points and a Grade A score by the end of the 2025 season.”

“Thank you for your continued support

“Although this is not an ideal situation to be in right now as it creates unnecessary negativity, the scores and position given is not an accurate reflection of where we will be at the end of 2024. We apologise for the situation and the uncertainty that this has caused fans and supporters. We thank you as always for your support in the club.”

As it stands Castleford sit in and among a number of teams that score between 12 and 13 points but their clear outline as to how to progress to Grade A, or at least a very high Grade B, show the vision that IMG have called upon in this revamped new era of rugby league.