The Rugby League Council, the sport’s decision-making body which comprises representatives from all three professional competitions and the community game, have today voted in favour of Club Grading – the first recommendation from IMG, the sport’s long term strategic partner, as part of the Reimagining Rugby League strategy.
In a Special General Meeting in Huddersfield, the Yorkshire town where the rebel rugby code was formed as the Northern Union in 1895, the recommendations were supported by a majority of clubs in each of the three professional competitions, and received unanimous support from the community game.
Interestingly Catalans Dragons didn’t get a vote as not a member but their Sporting Director Neil McIlroy backs them saying that without IMG the sport risks dying:
“We are well placed, but this system will motivate all those associated with this club to work even better,” he said on L’Independant.
“I am thinking of the stadium, the facilities and the infrastructure. But having a lot of French players on the teamsheet this season is a very good thing for IMG.
“The little ones are afraid for their own little garden and in a way that’s normal. But I also see that without IMG, we risk dying.
“For ten years, the crowds have stagnated. IMG is the world leader in this field and they decided to invest their skills in this sport.”
