One Super League side has revealed the extent of IMG points lost on account of their stadium and confirmed an ’emergency’ issue is arising.
Going forward, the composition of Super League will be based on the 12 teams with the highest grades with all scoring criteria set out in the IMG grading handbook
Clubs can score up to 20 points across five pillars; on-field performance (maximum five points), fandom (five), finances (4.5), stadium (three), and community (2.5).
Now, Catalans Dragons have confirmed that they lost a whole point on their stadium with the French outfit being one of the biggest losers on the recent gradings.
Compared to the provisional scores in late 2023, Catalans lost 1.21 points which represented the third-largest drop of any team and the largest in Super League.
As such they moved from fourth in the provisional rankings to sixth and now the club’s general manager Sebastien Munoz has spoken on the issue.
Super League side confirm the need for stadium development
As reported in French outlet L’Independant, Munoz confirmed that constructing a new stand at the Stade Gilbert Brutus is ‘becoming more than an emergency’.
Detailing the club’s drop from 16.73 to 15.52 points, Munoz explained: “We will have to be vigilant on certain points, in particular, the sports facilities and our stadium. The construction of the new stand is becoming more than an emergency.
“We have lost a point on our sports facilities and we can no longer afford to fall behind in this area because it could impact our ranking from next year during the new evaluation.”
Catalans aren’t the only Super League club who have had to focus on their stadium with the huge gains made by clubs such as Wakefield Trinity and Castleford Tigers largely owed to their focus on improving their stadium.
Hull KR are the latest team hoping to improve their stadium with the Robins proposing an extension at Craven Park.
For Catalans, they will also look at their finances with Munoz confirming:”In the coming weeks, a capital increase will take place in order to meet the requirements of IMG and to continue to structure the club to take on new challenges and play a leading role in the Super League in the years to come.”