So, if we were to be graded C, we'd be assessed with relation to the follow

Our Academy and Player Development apparently was graded as A, but is certainly an area where we are very strong. The likes of Ferguson, Murphy, Davey, Wildie, Morton etc have all significantly developed whilst at WTW. Our academy won the league and playoffs within the recent franchise and whilst struggling in the league this season alot of english talent has been allowed to flourish.



Unfortunately this something that the majority can't meet. Only Quins can truely say they are in an area which isn't a traditional heartland (although that's debateable considering how long they've been based in London). Crusaders, if in Bridgend would also have qualified although forced to move, i'd suggest this isn't the area the RFL had strategically pinpointed.

You could also argue, the Wakefield district is one of the strongest area's for RL for participation, development and impact.



This is an area where you'd assume we'd be weak after the previous regime's downfall. Alot will rest on how AG & JE have addressed previous downfalls whilst stabilising the club and installing good practice and how the RFL view our's and crusaders situation.



Very vague, i'm not entirely sure what they're after with specifics. Maybe modern facilities (New stadiums?)



Our community department is considered to be one of if not the best in the competition (again rumoured to have been graded A), our marketing has dramatically improved with regional and national adverts as has our media presence. And commercially, whilst unpleasant the benidorm flats are highly profitable. And AG & JE with MH have taken it to another level.


I think we've a good chance of gaining another franchise. Our downfall will be the previous regime's downfall, although strangely enough it might also be our strength in that were under new guidance and making significant progress. I don't think we could do more considering our past. Unfortunately NM was called in otherwise we could have been a shoe in. Fingers crossed

The words Smoke and Screen spring to mind.

Does anyone know where these frequently asked questions came from? I just find it hard to believe that the most frequent question I ask myself about this round of franchising isn't among the list.

How could a licence be awarded to a Championship Club before all the current SL applications had been scrutinised? How could the RFL possibly know that Widnes's was a superior bid without looking at all of them together?

Quote: steadygetyerboots-on "Does anyone know where these frequently asked questions came from? I just find it hard to believe that the most frequent question I ask myself about this round of franchising isn't among the list. How could a licence be awarded to a Championship Club before all the current SL applications had been scrutinised? How could the RFL possibly know that Widnes's was a superior bid without looking at all of them together?'" www.loverugbyleague.com/news_597 ... -faqs.html

Quote: steadygetyerboots-on "Does anyone know where these frequently asked questions came from? I just find it hard to believe that the most frequent question I ask myself about this round of franchising isn't among the list. How could a licence be awarded to a Championship Club before all the current SL applications had been scrutinised? How could the RFL possibly know that Widnes's was a superior bid without looking at all of them together?'" www.loverugbyleague.com/news_597 ... -faqs.html

Bent & R soles springs to mind

I'd assume they're not actually FAQ more the RFL's justification for demoting a club

It was simple, because the second year in, or basically after Widnes had won the NRC they said that as long as a Championship team qualified for their criterea which is different to that of SL teams then at least one would be promoted. They had to have a £1mill turnover, minimum attendance of 2500, Stadium with operational capacity of 10,000 and have been in the GF or won the NRC in 2009 or 2010,
Both Halifax and widnes met the criterea. So straight away one up one down as a absolute minimum but by no means does this mean Halifax our out of it as the RFL have been watching us carefully and have been in attendance at the shay when Huddersfield borrowed our facilities for 3 games.

Why does Richard Lewis state it doesnt matter how teams are performing in the league when it says you are judged on performance and player strengths? Isn't our average finishes in Super League higher than our rivals? If they go on this year we are in trouble; but then again this is down to them as we havent been able to attract players due to their unproffessionalism by stating one sl team will definitaly be leaving.

Crusaders have the weakest bid. Halifax not stronger than us no way! Widnes for Crusaders end of decision made. Like Mr Elston says we have not got the weakest application !
[sizeWe are safe wooooooooooooooooooooo [/size

What you have to realise with Halifax as that until they get a crack at it then they wont be, Do you consider Widnes's bid as stronger than yours ?.

Fax Lost lots of fans that went to the Bulls when we came out of SL, Some of those would come back and the Fan base would double, Competitive, yes 3 finals in 3 years, Sponsorship = Yes, we got Probiz on board before any other club did, Profitable, = Yes turnover of over £1 million without and sky money or anything else. Stadium - Yes 10 year lease with a capacity of over 10,000, Youth Development, getting there, under 23's and becuase we are not in SL the Halifax youngsters are signing with the bulls, 5 signed with them last week.

The RFL will be fully aware of the potential, where as with SL clubs what you see is what you now get.

In another breath if Championship clubs do all that is asked, tick all the boxes etc and then still dont get in why do you think Wakey would be straight back in within 3 years when Halifax and Leigh have been waiting and fullfilling all the criterea ?.

How things have changed from a few years ago.
Taken from the RFL website
Whilst well maintained, the ground is limited and old fashioned. However, the club recognise this and has relatively advanced plans for a new stadium. Financial projections are based on the new ground, although there is evidence of a Plan B. The club is well managed financially with limited external borrowings and/or shareholder funds. The club has produced a holistic commercial plan, has a record of commercial achievement and achieves strong support even when relegated. The club’s reasonable playing infrastructure has been hurt by the yo-yo-ing between Super League and National League. The club has maintained youth pathways but has not always been able to secure the best local talent.

Crusaders RL
Whilst well maintained, the ground is limited and old fashioned but there is a commitment to immediately enhance the current facilities. In the medium term the club recognises the need to develop a new facility and appears to be working with the local public agencies to deliver this. As with any new venture, financial projections are more subjective but the club has demonstrated financial stability during its progress through the National Leagues. The club has built good relationships with commercial partners and TV channel S4C offers exciting opportunities. There is supportive independent market research for Super League in South Wales, although inevitably this can only be fully tested by the club’s actual participation in the competition. The playing infrastructure is very good in places but the club is understandably at the early stages with its scholarship and academy teams.

Harlequins RL
The Stoop provides good facilities across the board. The club relies on significant shareholder support and is seeking additional investment. Crowds have fluctuated and the club is looking to increase attendances on the back of stability in a good stadium. The recently appointed new management is tapping into a large catchment area and making the most of a robust community programme. The club has been reasonably successful in Super League and has a well resourced playing department. There are emerging local players but the club’s juniors are not yet regularly attracting national honours.

Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
Whilst well maintained, the ground is limited and old fashioned. However, the club recognise this and have plans for a new stadium. These are not as far advanced as might be the case despite projected occupation by 2010 and evidence of a Plan B would have been beneficial. There is good progress within community development and attendances are improving. Evidence of specific commercial measurable targets with the commercial strategy would have assisted. There has been a recent improvement on the pitch and increased investment in the playing department. Youth development works reasonably well and pre-16 players are attracting national honours but the club has not always been able to retain the best local talent.

Halifax RLFC
The club has previously made a good contribution to Super League but is significantly restrained by the incomplete nature of their stadium. This makes financial projections and marketing plans difficult to produce with any degree of certainty. Player development structures would require further investment before they could be considered of a Super League standard. However the club’s first team performances are consistently at the higher end of National League 1 over recent seasons.

Widnes Vikings
The stadium is an appropriate size and well appointed following significant investment in recent years. The club has been in the difficult position of seeking to take into account the club’s historical attendance and playing records but naturally distancing itself from the previous regime’s financial record. The current company has only been in existence for a few months following insolvency in October 2007. Early indications are that under new ownership the club has made very good progress so far and has attracted good sponsors and the support of the local authority. The club has maintained a reasonable playing infrastructure despite being in the National League but this would require further investment to ensure that they could be competitive in Super League particularly within Club Trained rules.

This to me sounds like Halifax will (quite rightly) be judged on the SL criteria, which means that The Shay is just under 2000 capacity short, amongst other problems.

Also reading the criteria, Crusaders are by far & away the weakest club.

Wrong, Operational Capacity of over 10,000 and the North stand that needs the Blocks Changing can be done in time for the 2012 season which means stadia is not short on anything. You development is our major issue at the moment with only the under 23's.

12,000 for Super League.

And how is the condemned stand? Getting rebuilt any time soon?

The North Stand doesn't need to be 're-built', just needs a bit of new concrete/toilet. It still safely allows 1,000 odd people in (no pun on the nature of the Away fans in there ). The capacity for the Bradford cup game was 9,000 without the North Stand. Once the concrete/toilet work is done on the North stand that will be 3,200 = 12,200 for the entire stadium.