Rugby league clubs see key changes made to IMG grading

An updated grading criteria handbook has been published by the RFL, with a number of changes affecting rugby league clubs.

The previous handbook from June 2023 has now been replaced by one from March 2024, and thanks to some excellent work from The Tryline on Twitter, rugby league fans have been able to see some of the key changes.

This means clubs have had slightly different aims in order to obtain their ideal grading – although it’s likely they were made aware of these changes long before the public were.

League position points have slightly changed, due to there now being 35 teams in the league system rather than 36, while other slight changes include widening of social media engagement criteria (more platforms are included), while it has been confirmed that Super League+ viewing figures are not included in TV viewing figures.

Changes to stadium requirements include even better facilities for broadcasters, as well as allowing clubs that own their stadiums to include the value of the stadium on the balance sheets.

Rugby league clubs see key changes made to IMG grading

One key frustration for clubs may be that it has been confirmed that there is no right for clubs to appeal their grading.

The handbook states: “All Clubs agree to be bound by the arbitration provisions contained within this document and by virtue of the same, enter into an arbitration agreement for the purposes of Section 6 of the Arbitration Act 1996 (“the Act”).

“Each Club agrees that they waive irrevocably their right to any form of challenge, claim, complaint, appeal, review or recourse to any state court or judicial authority, subject to any applicable statutory or other rights.”

It does, however, say there will be an arbitration process available to clubs.

“There is no appeal against the Grading score awarded to a Club however, a Club, which feels that the process has not been applied fairly and reasonably, may apply to Sport Resolutions (a trading name of The Sports Dispute Resolution Panel Ltd – Company No. 3351039) in accordance with the Act and Sport Resolutions Arbitration Rules, which are deemed incorporated and activated by reference for a review of the procedure and a declaration as to whether the process has been fair and reasonable.

“For the avoidance of doubt, in the event the Sport Resolutions Tribunal makes a declaration that the process was not fair and reasonable, the matter shall be remitted back to the RFL Board for reconsideration.”

The document is available at this link.