Following this week’s announcement regarding the Betfred Championship and League 1 structure for 2024, and the confirmation of a game-wide structural review ahead of 2025, Cornwall RLFC have confirmed that the club will provide more context as to why Cornwall RLFC will take no part in the revamped AB Sundecks 1895 Cup competition next season.
During recent discussions among League 1 clubs about the proposed competition structure for 2024, Cornwall RLFC was asked by the collective if it would consider sitting out of the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup competition, for 2024 only, to ease the logistical burden for other League 1 clubs.
The club felt that this decision would allow for a swifter resolution to be reached for the 2024 season structure and, after careful and considered deliberation, Cornwall RLFC has graciously agreed to the collectives request to not participate in the AB Sundecks 1895 Cup in 2024.
Commenting on this decision, Cornwall RLFC’s chief executive officer Rob Butland, said: “Cornwall RLFC is a club which has the expansion and development of rugby league at its core, and whilst our preference would have been to take part in the 1895 Cup in 2024, after discussions with our fellow clubs it was ultimately decided that with the interest of the wider game at heart we would agree to the request.
“We look forward to seeing everyone on the pitch in both the Betfred Challenge Cup and Betfred League 1 season next year.”
Thus, the club will not be taking part in the competition due to being too far away essentially. They have to be credited for taking one for the team to enable a swifter decision to be made which has been causing problems for many clubs.
For instance, Wakefield Trinity were forced to delay the release of their season tickets until the new structure was confirmed for the 2024 season.
It seems there is a view that Cornwall will be able to enter the competition in 2025 and moving forward beyond that which is good news for the club.
The club is still set to participate in the Betfred Challenge Cup in 2024 which is fantastic to see the newest club in the league setup participating in the oldest tournament in the sport.
