BBC SPORTArabicSpanishRussianChinese
BBCiNEWS  SPORT  WEATHER  WORLD SERVICE  A-Z INDEX   SEARCH 

BBC Sport
 You are in: Rugby League: Super League 
Sport Front Page
-------------------
Football
Cricket
Rugby Union
Rugby League
Statistics
Super League
Challenge Cup
Ashes Series
World Cup 2000
Tennis
Golf
Motorsport
Boxing
Athletics
Other Sports
-------------------
Special Events
-------------------
Sports Talk
-------------------
BBC Pundits
TV & Radio
Question of Sport
-------------------
Photo Galleries
Funny Old Game
-------------------
Around The UK: 
N Ireland
Scotland
Wales

BBC Sport Academy
News image
BBC News
News image
BBC Weather
News image
SERVICES
-------------
LANGUAGES
EDITIONS

Tuesday, 30 July, 2002, 15:49 GMT 16:49 UK
Restructure goes to the vote
Featherstone will be looking for a place in the top of the two NFP divisions
Featherstone hope for a place in the top NFP division
The Rugby Football League's 30 professional clubs will be asked on Wednesday to rubber-stamp the implementation of a five-division structure for next season.

The 12 Super League clubs and the 18-strong Association of Premiership Clubs (APC) have already given their backing in principle to the new format.

Super League will stay unchanged but the Northern Ford Premiership (NFP) will grow and split in two to form a pyramid above two new summer-based amateur divisions.


I happen to believe that two divisions is a structure that is needed to create more interest for spectators
Richard Lewis
RFL executive chairman

RFL executive chairman Richard Lewis, a firm advocate of the system, believes he has won over waverers ahead of a vote, which takes place at a council meeting in Halifax.

"The decision was made last year so really it's a ratification of that decision," said Lewis.

"I happen to believe that two divisions is a structure that is needed to create more interest for spectators. I expect it to go through."

The massive gap between "haves" and "have-nots" has been one of Lewis' concerns during his first three months in office.

And he is determined to ensure that no club goes the way of York, which was forced to fold in mid-season due to financial pressures.

"We had a terrific meeting last week and there was a recognition that we need to help APC clubs more centrally in terms of helping them grow their business," said Lewis.

"This year has been a really difficult year and we at the RFL haven't been geared up to help them as much as we should have been."

Club delegates are expected to give the thumbs up for York to return for next season, along with a second club from the capital, North London Skolars.

But an application to re-admit Bramley has been rejected by the RFL board.


Match reports

News imageRESULTS & FIXTURES

News imageINTERNET LINKS
See also:

03 Oct 01 | Rugby League
27 Feb 02 | Rugby League
Links to more Super League stories are at the foot of the page.


E-mail this story to a friend

Links to more Super League stories

© BBC^^ Back to top

Sport Front Page | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League |
Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Other Sports |
Special Events | Sports Talk | BBC Pundits | TV & Radio | Question of Sport |
Photo Galleries | Funny Old Game | N Ireland | Scotland | Wales