I'm more interested in the announcement from the RFL as to why Sport England has taken this action against them, and what they are going to do improve the situation in future.

I think they need to tell us where the money is going simply to reassure us fans if nothing else, that the money is still gonna go to worthwhile projects.

Some of us mentioned this a couple of years ago that the RFL model for the grass roots and community was on a downward spiral and sports funding could drop every valuated year. I think it was a couple of weeks ago in a sports development programme they came up with a stat that there will be more FEMALE Rugby Union Participants than there is Male Rugby League in a couple of years.

When we lost the funding from SE a few years back the RFL saw fit to cut all the Development officers yet still gave the Directors a wage rise. No suprise then that participation targets have now been missed again and more funding lost.

Brewery's and drunken party's springs to mind

I didnt realise that Alastair Campbell was working at Red Hall now: "The RFL has welcomed the news that Rugby League will continue to receive the agreed levels of central Government funding for projects designed to increase participation across the sport." www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/31 ... rt-england

I didnt realise that Alastair Campbell was working at Red Hall now: "The RFL has welcomed the news that Rugby League will continue to receive the agreed levels of central Government funding for projects designed to increase participation across the sport." www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/31 ... rt-england

since Richard Lewis secured a record sum from sport England, it has been cut at pretty much every opportunity. That response from Ralph Rimmer is embarrassing.

Sport England have basically told the RFL that they can't be trusted to spend that money well so they have had to take it from them and give it to someone who wont waste it. The brass neck required for the top of the RFL to stay in their jobs after such a clear vote of no confidence is pretty bad, for them to try and spin it as a positive is unbelievably delusional.

is there a part of the RFL's remit where we can look at it and say yes, here they are doing a good job?

Anyone need a 2nd rate aussie? Cheap at twice the price of development funds to help the game.

The worst aspect is that it isn't April 1st!

You had one job ...

Quote EHW="EHW"I didnt realise that Alastair Campbell was working at Red Hall now: "The RFL has welcomed the news that Rugby League will continue to receive the agreed levels of central Government funding for projects designed to increase participation across the sport." www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/31 ... rt-england'" The RFL to their credit have been using "spin" for quite a while now.

Quote EHW="EHW"I didnt realise that Alastair Campbell was working at Red Hall now: "The RFL has welcomed the news that Rugby League will continue to receive the agreed levels of central Government funding for projects designed to increase participation across the sport." www.therfl.co.uk/news/article/31 ... rt-england'" The RFL to their credit have been using "spin" for quite a while now.

Do Sport England agree the targets with the relevant NGBs, or are they just imposed using some sort of formula at their end?

I'm just curious to know whether the various sports have been set up to fail by being given targets they were never going to achieve.

Personally I think there's an element of that. Not to mention there is an issue with the criteria for compiling the numbers. I coach rugby league every week of the year and play occasionally (7-8 games) throughout the year, yet I wouldn't be included in the RL figures. Neither are, IIRC, under 16's (or it might be u14's, can't remember.)
Yet because I ride a bike alongside my niece (she loves going for a bike ride) I would be included in the cycling figures.
The same as anyone going for a jog regularly would be included in the Athletics figures.

None of that though hides an issue with participation that RL has always struggled with. Hopefully the likes of Touch RL can help with that and be our version of 5-a-side football.

Well, yes, that too!

Also, Andy Gilder's point upthread.