'Championship' the right way forward
By RFU Press Office
November 10 2008
THE Rugby Football Union believes that a professional league below the Guinness Premiership is the right way forward for English rugby. A 12-team Championship, currently National Division One, will develop English players, coaches and referees in a competitive, professional and financially secure environment.
November 10 2008
THE Rugby Football Union believes that a professional league below the Guinness Premiership is the right way forward for English rugby. A 12-team Championship, currently National Division One, will develop English players, coaches and referees in a competitive, professional and financially secure environment.
'Championship' the right way forward
THE Rugby Football Union believes that a professional league below the Guinness Premiership is the right way forward for English rugby.
A 12-team Championship, currently National Division One, will develop English players, coaches and referees in a competitive, professional and financially secure environment.
Funded by the RFU, Premier Rugby Ltd, the new five-year agreement with Sky Sports and sponsorship, Championship clubs will be financially better off in a structure that directly underpins the Guinness Premiership.
Negotiations with First Division Rugby, the umbrella organisation for National Division One clubs, have been ongoing for 12 months and, subject to approval by the RFU Council, the Championship will be established for the 2009-10 season.
RFU Management Board Chairman Martyn Thomas said: "The Championship will be a vital part of the structure of English rugby.
"For too long First Division Rugby has hovered between the community game and the Premiership, uncertain of both its standing in the structure and its future. Now is the time to establish its rightful place.
"The RFU is fully committed to funding and supporting a professional and robust league with minimum entry criteria and a salary cap that will support the Guinness Premiership.
"We will be increasing our funding to the new Championship from £1.65m a year to £2.3m and, under the new eight-year agreement, PRL have committed to a £1m per annum funding.
"That significant investment, coupled with more matches and television coverage under the Sky Sports contract, will give the clubs more financial security than ever before and create a vibrant and viable structure to take the game forward."
Proposed Championship structure
â?¢ Reduction from 16 to 12 clubs
â?¢ 22 regular season matches
â?¢ Promotion play-offs for the top eight (each club to play minimum of six matches)
- two pools of four, playing home and away
- top two from each pool to play in Championship semi-finals
- winning semi-finalists to play in Championship final
- final could be played on a home and away basis or at Twickenham
- winner of Championship final promoted to Guinness Premiership subject to meeting Minimum Standards Criteria
â?¢ Relegation play-offs for the bottom four (each club to play minimum of six matches)
- home and away fixtures
- bottom club in play-off pool relegated to newly-named National Division One (level three)
Anglo-Welsh Cup (each club/region to play minimum of four matches)
- 12 Guinness Premiership clubs, four Welsh regions, four Championship clubs (one relegated from GP, 2nd, 3rd and 4th place finishers in previous season's Championship, or National Division One for season 08-09)
- four pools of five (three GP, one Welsh Region, one Championship club)
- played on a home or away basis
- pool winners qualify for the semi-finals
- winning semi-finalists play in Cup final
Anglo-Welsh Trophy (each club to play minimum of six matches)
- eight Championship clubs, eight Welsh Principality Premiership clubs
- four regional pools of four to provide local derbies
- played on a home and away basis
- pool winners qualify for the semi-finals
- winning semi-finalists play in Trophy final
Championship clubs will be guaranteed a minimum of 32 or 34 matches, (depending on which Anglo-Welsh tournament they play in) including 16 home games. Teams reaching the finals of both the Championship play-offs and an Anglo-Welsh tournament will play an additional four/five matches.
Entry and eligibility
- clubs finishing 2nd to 11th in National Division One at end of season 2008-9 invited to join the Championship for 2009-10 along with relegated club from Guinness Premiership and promoted club from National Division Two
- minimum entry criteria based on simplified version of Premiership criteria
- salary cap based on simplified version of Premiership criteria
- if any clubs do not wish to join the Championship, invitations will be extended to the other four National Division One clubs and then top two from National Division Two based on league positions
Funding
- Rights fee share from Sky Sports for a new five-year agreement commencing in 2010-11
- PRL funding of £1m per annum to Championship over eight years
- RFU funding of £2.3m per annum comprising core funding in first two years to be then replaced by revenue for clubs fielding English Qualified Players and who invest in their facilities
National League competitions
The new National Division One will become a 16-team league comprising five clubs not included in the Championship, nine clubs from National Division Two, one promoted from National Division Three South, one promoted from National Division Three North.
The new National Division Two will become two leagues of 16 clubs divided into North and South divisions comprising clubs from the existing National Division Three North and South.
The new National Division Three will be based divisionally on four leagues (South West, London, North and Midlands) comprising clubs from the current existing National Division Three and below.
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| 10 Nov, 2008 13:08 | Report |
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Unofficial England Rugby Union (IP Logged) Unregistered User |
| 13 Nov, 2008 16:51 | Report |
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Date Joined: Aug, 2004 Location: Posts: 361 |
Re: 'Championship' the right way forward
Press Release on behalf of 6 individual clubs
Following a meeting held at Twickenham with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the RFU by a number of FDR clubs regarding the proposal to create a new tier of professional rugby the undersigned group of clubs have written to the RFU Council expressing their views. The memo included the following text:
In connection with the proposal to create a Championship league of professional rugby, following yesterday's meeting at the RFU seeking clarification of certain issues we wish to bring to your attention the following :
1 The FDR position statement which has been circulated to you by Geoff Irvine has not been put before either the FDR Board or its shareholders. The statement is selective in its content and inaccurate conclusions may be drawn from it. It does not, for example recognise:
(a) a majority vote of FDR clubs to establish a 12 club league for 2009/10
(b) the guarantee of 32 fixtures
(c) the economic benefit flowing from title sponsorship and TV coverage (incidentally, the famous 12-4 vote was not in connection with the RFU's latest proposals)
2 The statement paints a draconian financial scenario which implies instant insolvency for many clubs ("financial suicide"). It gives no recognition to the necessary development of the professional game and the fact that once implemented promotion and relegation is only one up from Level 3 and one down from Level 2. Proper financial management will therefore mean that the process will evolve over time
3 Neither the FDR Chairman nor the FDR Chief Executive has negotiated any alternative funding for 2009/10, demonstrating their lack of even short-term thinking. In theory FDR is faced with no funding if the RFU's proposals are rejected.
We understand that the FDR Chairman is putting a proposal to you to defer the RFU proposals. This is in direct contravention of a majority vote of FDR clubs, who determined that the reduction from 16 to 12 clubs be implemented in one year.
Finally, we sincerely request your support in moving the development of Level 2 rugby into the professional era without further delay.
Coventry RFC
Doncaster RFC
Exeter RFC
London Welsh RFC
Nottingham Rugby
Plymouth Albion RFC
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:11:13:18:33:31 by RFU: Press Release.
Following a meeting held at Twickenham with the Chairman and Chief Executive of the RFU by a number of FDR clubs regarding the proposal to create a new tier of professional rugby the undersigned group of clubs have written to the RFU Council expressing their views. The memo included the following text:
In connection with the proposal to create a Championship league of professional rugby, following yesterday's meeting at the RFU seeking clarification of certain issues we wish to bring to your attention the following :
1 The FDR position statement which has been circulated to you by Geoff Irvine has not been put before either the FDR Board or its shareholders. The statement is selective in its content and inaccurate conclusions may be drawn from it. It does not, for example recognise:
(a) a majority vote of FDR clubs to establish a 12 club league for 2009/10
(b) the guarantee of 32 fixtures
(c) the economic benefit flowing from title sponsorship and TV coverage (incidentally, the famous 12-4 vote was not in connection with the RFU's latest proposals)
2 The statement paints a draconian financial scenario which implies instant insolvency for many clubs ("financial suicide"). It gives no recognition to the necessary development of the professional game and the fact that once implemented promotion and relegation is only one up from Level 3 and one down from Level 2. Proper financial management will therefore mean that the process will evolve over time
3 Neither the FDR Chairman nor the FDR Chief Executive has negotiated any alternative funding for 2009/10, demonstrating their lack of even short-term thinking. In theory FDR is faced with no funding if the RFU's proposals are rejected.
We understand that the FDR Chairman is putting a proposal to you to defer the RFU proposals. This is in direct contravention of a majority vote of FDR clubs, who determined that the reduction from 16 to 12 clubs be implemented in one year.
Finally, we sincerely request your support in moving the development of Level 2 rugby into the professional era without further delay.
Coventry RFC
Doncaster RFC
Exeter RFC
London Welsh RFC
Nottingham Rugby
Plymouth Albion RFC
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:11:13:18:33:31 by RFU: Press Release.
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| 13 Nov, 2008 22:06 | Report |
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| 14 Nov, 2008 18:19 | Report |
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Re: 'Championship' the right way forward
The RFU Council tonight approved by an overwhelming majority the creation of a 12-team Championship division for the 2009/10 season.
The Council backed recommendations from the RFU Management Board for the Championship to form a new professional tier below the Guinness Premiership, voting against an amendment deferring its formation until 2010/11.
Further discussions will take place about a meaningful fixture list that will guarantee a minimum of 32 games for First Division Rugby clubs each season consisting of league games and other competitive matches.
The Council also approved 12 of 13 recommendations from the Rugby Landscape Task Group that will make other significant changes to the structure of the game in England.
More information about the formation of the Championship and the implementation of the Rugby Landscape project will be released in due course.
ends
The Council backed recommendations from the RFU Management Board for the Championship to form a new professional tier below the Guinness Premiership, voting against an amendment deferring its formation until 2010/11.
Further discussions will take place about a meaningful fixture list that will guarantee a minimum of 32 games for First Division Rugby clubs each season consisting of league games and other competitive matches.
The Council also approved 12 of 13 recommendations from the Rugby Landscape Task Group that will make other significant changes to the structure of the game in England.
More information about the formation of the Championship and the implementation of the Rugby Landscape project will be released in due course.
ends
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Re: 'Championship' the right way forward
Stich-up complete
I'd like more information regarding the other points discussed and voted on
I'd like more information regarding the other points discussed and voted on
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Re: 'Championship' the right way forward
RFU Council approves major changes to shape of club game
Saturday November 15, 2008
Issued by Simon Mills
Major changes to the shape of English club rugby will take place next season following the approval of proposals to create a 12-team Championship division and to restructure competitions for teams in Levels Three to Six of the league system.
The RFU Council last night backed recommendations from the RFU Management Board for the Championship to form a new professional tier below the Guinness Premiership, with Council voting against an amendment deferring its formation until 2010/11.
It also approved recommendations from the Rugby Landscape Task Group that include discontinuing the National Trophy and Intermediate Cup competitions; expanding the leagues at levels three and four to 16 clubs per division and at levels five and six to 14 clubs per division; the introduction of National Championship Finals; and the introduction of reserve leagues at levels three, four and five.
"Council spent three and a half hours debating these important issues and I thank them for giving them such careful consideration," said Martyn Thomas, the Chairman of the RFU Management Board.
"Negotiations over the reduction of the size of First Division Rugby have been taking place since November last year and there was universal agreement that moving to a 12-club league was the way forward.
"It is the best way to ensure a high level of competition that will accelerate the development of young English players, coaches and referees, and Council decided that the journey should start as soon as possible.
"Clearly the league will not become fully professional overnight and there is much detail to be put in place but we look forward to doing so with stakeholders from First Division Rugby, the National Clubs Association [who represent levels three and four] and the Professional Rugby Players Association."
Further discussions will take place about a meaningful fixture list that will guarantee a minimum of 32 games for Championship clubs each season consisting of league games and other competitive matches, including a proposed two-tier Anglo-Welsh competition.
Live television coverage has been secured with the agreement of Sky and Championship clubs will receive projected central funding of £3.5million in 2009/10 that will rise to £4.8m by season 2015/16.
At the end of this season one club will be promoted from the existing National League One into the Guinness Premiership, five clubs will be moved to Level 3 and one promoted from Level 3 to form the Championship.
Council also approved recommendations from the Rugby Landscape Task Group that will make other significant changes to the structure of the game in England.
In the new structure, the Championship will sit above a new National League One, National Two North and National Two South, and four divisions in the National Three tier.
From 2009/10 the new National One, National Two North and National Two South division will increase in size from 14 to 16 clubs. The four National Three divisions (London, Midlands, North and South West) will increase in size from 12 to 14 clubs.
Other changes include the introduction of National Finals at levels four, five and six; discontinuing The National Trophy and Intermediate Cup competitions; the creation of a reserve team competition for the 104 second teams from clubs in National 1, 2 and 3 - and suitable teams from levels two and six - followed by national finals; and a review of the existing county championship competition.
"The competitive structure is critical to the sustainability of our member clubs," said Terry Burwell, the RFU Director of Tournaments and Competitions.
"Providing a dynamic league programme for all levels of the game will ensure increased competitiveness and commercial attractiveness.
"The Rugby Landscape consultation process has been robust and well-received and has succeeded in providing an agreed solution in a very short timescale. We can now move forward to implementing the new structure for 2009/10."
The Task Group was chaired by RFU Senior Vice President John Owen, who thanked the thousands of participants who took part in the consultation process.
"We were delighted to be able to engage 7,500 people from all parts of our game who responded to our online survey and made their views known," said Owen.
"We also staged 11 roadshows around the country and a two-day summit in Woking to make sure we delivered changes that would be of lasting benefit to our clubs."
BACKGROUND NOTES
1 What happens at the end of season 2008/09:
Level 1: Guinness Premiership - 12 clubs.
One team relegated to new Championship
Level 2: National One (currently 16 clubs)
One team promoted to Guinness Premiership, one team relegated from Guinness Premiership, five relegated to level three
Correction of this paragraph - info recvd 16/11
Level 3: National Two (currently 14 clubs)
One team promoted to new Championship, four relegated to level 4, five teams down from level 2, two teams up from National Three North and South
Level 4: National Three North & South - (currently 14 clubs)
Two champions promoted to new National One, bottom two in each division relegated, four teams down from level 3, six come up from level five
Level 5: Divisional One (currently four divisions of 12 clubs)
Four champions and two play-off winners promoted, two teams relegated to level 6, four teams down from level 4, 12 come up from level 6
Level 6: Divisional Two (currently eight divisions of 12 clubs)
Eight champions and four play-off winners promoted, no teams relegated, two teams down from level 5, 26 teams up from level 7 depending on 14 or 12 team leagues in new structure
2 The new league structure for season 2009/10:
Level 1: Guinness Premiership - 12 clubs.
â?¢One team relegated to the Championship
Level 2: The Championship - 12 clubs (currently 16), replacing National One
â?¢22 regular season games
â?¢Play-offs to decide one promotion and one relegation place
â?¢Teams to participate in proposed two-tier Anglo-Welsh competition
â?¢Minimum of 32 games each season per team
Level 3: National One - 16 clubs (14), replacing National Two
â?¢30 regular season games
â?¢Champions promoted and bottom three relegated at end of season 2009/10
Level 4: National Two North & South - 16 clubs (14), replacing National Three North & South
â?¢30 regular season games in each league
â?¢Two champions promoted and bottom three teams in each league relegated at end of season 2009/10
â?¢Promotion play-off for sides finishing second in each league
â?¢The two champions meet in National Final
Level 5: National Three (four divisions) - 14 clubs (currently 12), replacing divisional leagues
â?¢26 regular season games
â?¢Four champions promoted and bottom three in each league relegated at end of season 2009/10
â?¢Two more teams promoted after play-offs between second-placed sides
â?¢Four champions meet in National Semi-finals and Finals
Level 6: Divisional 1 (eight divisions) - 14 clubs (or less if agreed, currently 12)
â?¢26 (or less if agreed) regular season games
â?¢Eight champions and four play-off winners promoted, bottom three in each league relegated at end of season 2009/10
â?¢Eight champions participate in National Quarter-finals, Semi-finals and Finals
ends
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:11:16:13:29:48 by RFU: Press Release.
Saturday November 15, 2008
Issued by Simon Mills
Major changes to the shape of English club rugby will take place next season following the approval of proposals to create a 12-team Championship division and to restructure competitions for teams in Levels Three to Six of the league system.
The RFU Council last night backed recommendations from the RFU Management Board for the Championship to form a new professional tier below the Guinness Premiership, with Council voting against an amendment deferring its formation until 2010/11.
It also approved recommendations from the Rugby Landscape Task Group that include discontinuing the National Trophy and Intermediate Cup competitions; expanding the leagues at levels three and four to 16 clubs per division and at levels five and six to 14 clubs per division; the introduction of National Championship Finals; and the introduction of reserve leagues at levels three, four and five.
"Council spent three and a half hours debating these important issues and I thank them for giving them such careful consideration," said Martyn Thomas, the Chairman of the RFU Management Board.
"Negotiations over the reduction of the size of First Division Rugby have been taking place since November last year and there was universal agreement that moving to a 12-club league was the way forward.
"It is the best way to ensure a high level of competition that will accelerate the development of young English players, coaches and referees, and Council decided that the journey should start as soon as possible.
"Clearly the league will not become fully professional overnight and there is much detail to be put in place but we look forward to doing so with stakeholders from First Division Rugby, the National Clubs Association [who represent levels three and four] and the Professional Rugby Players Association."
Further discussions will take place about a meaningful fixture list that will guarantee a minimum of 32 games for Championship clubs each season consisting of league games and other competitive matches, including a proposed two-tier Anglo-Welsh competition.
Live television coverage has been secured with the agreement of Sky and Championship clubs will receive projected central funding of £3.5million in 2009/10 that will rise to £4.8m by season 2015/16.
At the end of this season one club will be promoted from the existing National League One into the Guinness Premiership, five clubs will be moved to Level 3 and one promoted from Level 3 to form the Championship.
Council also approved recommendations from the Rugby Landscape Task Group that will make other significant changes to the structure of the game in England.
In the new structure, the Championship will sit above a new National League One, National Two North and National Two South, and four divisions in the National Three tier.
From 2009/10 the new National One, National Two North and National Two South division will increase in size from 14 to 16 clubs. The four National Three divisions (London, Midlands, North and South West) will increase in size from 12 to 14 clubs.
Other changes include the introduction of National Finals at levels four, five and six; discontinuing The National Trophy and Intermediate Cup competitions; the creation of a reserve team competition for the 104 second teams from clubs in National 1, 2 and 3 - and suitable teams from levels two and six - followed by national finals; and a review of the existing county championship competition.
"The competitive structure is critical to the sustainability of our member clubs," said Terry Burwell, the RFU Director of Tournaments and Competitions.
"Providing a dynamic league programme for all levels of the game will ensure increased competitiveness and commercial attractiveness.
"The Rugby Landscape consultation process has been robust and well-received and has succeeded in providing an agreed solution in a very short timescale. We can now move forward to implementing the new structure for 2009/10."
The Task Group was chaired by RFU Senior Vice President John Owen, who thanked the thousands of participants who took part in the consultation process.
"We were delighted to be able to engage 7,500 people from all parts of our game who responded to our online survey and made their views known," said Owen.
"We also staged 11 roadshows around the country and a two-day summit in Woking to make sure we delivered changes that would be of lasting benefit to our clubs."
BACKGROUND NOTES
1 What happens at the end of season 2008/09:
Level 1: Guinness Premiership - 12 clubs.
One team relegated to new Championship
Level 2: National One (currently 16 clubs)
One team promoted to Guinness Premiership, one team relegated from Guinness Premiership, five relegated to level three
Correction of this paragraph - info recvd 16/11
Level 3: National Two (currently 14 clubs)
One team promoted to new Championship, four relegated to level 4, five teams down from level 2, two teams up from National Three North and South
Level 4: National Three North & South - (currently 14 clubs)
Two champions promoted to new National One, bottom two in each division relegated, four teams down from level 3, six come up from level five
Level 5: Divisional One (currently four divisions of 12 clubs)
Four champions and two play-off winners promoted, two teams relegated to level 6, four teams down from level 4, 12 come up from level 6
Level 6: Divisional Two (currently eight divisions of 12 clubs)
Eight champions and four play-off winners promoted, no teams relegated, two teams down from level 5, 26 teams up from level 7 depending on 14 or 12 team leagues in new structure
2 The new league structure for season 2009/10:
Level 1: Guinness Premiership - 12 clubs.
â?¢One team relegated to the Championship
Level 2: The Championship - 12 clubs (currently 16), replacing National One
â?¢22 regular season games
â?¢Play-offs to decide one promotion and one relegation place
â?¢Teams to participate in proposed two-tier Anglo-Welsh competition
â?¢Minimum of 32 games each season per team
Level 3: National One - 16 clubs (14), replacing National Two
â?¢30 regular season games
â?¢Champions promoted and bottom three relegated at end of season 2009/10
Level 4: National Two North & South - 16 clubs (14), replacing National Three North & South
â?¢30 regular season games in each league
â?¢Two champions promoted and bottom three teams in each league relegated at end of season 2009/10
â?¢Promotion play-off for sides finishing second in each league
â?¢The two champions meet in National Final
Level 5: National Three (four divisions) - 14 clubs (currently 12), replacing divisional leagues
â?¢26 regular season games
â?¢Four champions promoted and bottom three in each league relegated at end of season 2009/10
â?¢Two more teams promoted after play-offs between second-placed sides
â?¢Four champions meet in National Semi-finals and Finals
Level 6: Divisional 1 (eight divisions) - 14 clubs (or less if agreed, currently 12)
â?¢26 (or less if agreed) regular season games
â?¢Eight champions and four play-off winners promoted, bottom three in each league relegated at end of season 2009/10
â?¢Eight champions participate in National Quarter-finals, Semi-finals and Finals
ends
Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:11:16:13:29:48 by RFU: Press Release.
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