Rugby League: Doubts over new league plan

Dave Hadfield
Wednesday 07 April 1993 23:02 BST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

THE PROSPECT of a Conference League, made up of professional and amateur clubs, as a feeder competition for the Rugby League has drawn a sceptical response in some quarters, writes Dave Hadfield.

Member clubs yesterday approved pounds 250,000 to fund the new league, which could in theory start next season. The proposal envisages clubs from outside the game's traditional areas joining the competition, which would begin with one division of 12, eventually expanding to three.

The League's chief executive, Maurice Lindsay, said: 'This is a bold scheme, designed to provide a vibrant competition for the leading amateur sides, while providing a development system for new clubs with ambition.'

However Peter Moran, the president of the British Amateur Rugby League Association, sounded a note of caution. 'If they want to make it a pro-am competition at present that would present grave hazards,' he said. 'Our clubs would not tolerate it.'

Allan Sherratt, the chairman of Blackpool Gladiators, one of the three clubs likely to be excluded from the Rugby League at the end of this season, said: 'I approach it with scepticism and trepidation. Unless it would be part of the Stones Bitter Championship and we would be full members of the League with full funding, we wouldn't be interested.'

Widnes's Emosi Koloto looks sure to miss the Challenge Cup final on 1 May and may need an operation on a disc in his neck.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in