1. Four Seasons Possible Leagues structures 1

2. The RFL will lead the debate but stay neutral in the debate The debate is for the Community Game to have 2

3. Any proposed season structure must be for all areas of the game 3

4. The Structure The principles apply across the following competitions: –Men (open age) –Women –Boys –Girls –Students –Armed Forces –Schools –Wheelchair

5. Whatever is the final playing structure it must be a structure that the vast majority can support 5

6. March to November September to May One Structure with 2 playing seasons The telephone survey and online consultation with players indicated that two thirds want to play March to November and one third September to May.

7. Playing schedules Finance pitches volunteers administration Best fit for all Match officials Clashing commitments 7 Whatever is the final structure there needs to be a workable solution to these issues.

8. 8 Pitches are critical and need to be improved whenever the season is

9. The Wikipedia Test The present structure of the game is not clear to those outside or inside of the game as to who runs what and when. Look on Wikipedia at the structures of other sports as below and they have clearly defined structures; English Football League system English Rugby Union system English Hockey system English Cricket system Type in ‘British Rugby League system’ and: The Rugby League entry is very unclear and confusing Whatever the final structure is it needs to be easily understood by those outside and inside of the sport

10. What are the measures of success? Any revised structure should achieve the 4 outcomes of the RFL strategy; More attendances More viewers More participants Increased Income for the sport

11. Principles of the Rugby League Competition pyramid The Community Board agreed that any proposed structure should deliver 3 key outcomes; A competitive competition at all levels Deliver geographical expansion Strengthen and improve the existing areas where the game is played

12. Principles of the Rugby League Competition pyramid Other key principles proposed are that the competition pyramid should be; The best, viable, competitive, competition structure possible Played in every major town and community in England The higher divisions are representative of England rather than a ‘small area’ of England.

13. Rules of the Rugby League Competition pyramid There are robust ‘gateway criteria’ to move up from one tier to the next. The pyramid will proactively support the player development model Season played between 1 st March and the 30 th November

14. March to November September to May One Structure with 2 playing seasons The first proposal was to run a summer competition totally separate to the existing winter competition. This was rejected as we need one integrated pyramid for all forms of competition

15. March to November Winter One structure with two competitions The proposal is for one integrated pyramid of competition covering all of the four seasons of the year.

16. Super League Championship National League Regional Leagues Winter competition There is one pyramid which covers all areas of the game based on four levels of competition. Level One Level Two Level Three Level Four

17. Definitions:- Player means; any person playing within the Rugby League competition structure Professional Player means; a player holds an RFL professional contract Competition structure means; the leagues and divisions that a player competes in. Amateur means; this term is no longer used as a person is just a player.

18. Super League Championship National League Regional Leagues Winter competition ‘ Rugby League players players Contracted players

19. Super League Championship National League Regional Leagues Winter competition The arrangements for the winter competition remains as at present in any final structure

20. 20 The pyramid can be applied in all four nations

21. Super League 14 Clubs Rugby League Competition Pyramid Structure – Level One

22. Super League 14 Clubs Rugby League Competition Pyramid Structure – Levels 1 and 2 Championship 21 Clubs

23. Super League 14 Clubs National Premier North 12 Clubs Rugby League Competition Pyramid Structure – Levels 1 to 3 National Premier South 12 Clubs National South 1 12 Clubs National South 2 12 Clubs Championship 21 Clubs National North1 12 Clubs National North 2 12 Clubs National NW 12 Clubs National NE 12 Clubs

24. Super League 14 Clubs National Premier North 12 Clubs National North 1 12 Clubs Rugby League Competition Pyramid Structure – Levels 1 to 4 National Premier South 12 Clubs National South 1 12 Clubs National NW 12 Clubs National NE 12 Clubs National South 2 12 Clubs Yorkshire Regional Premier North West Regional Premier North East Regional Premier S/West Regional Premier W/Midlands Regional Premier London Regional Premier East Regional Premier E/Midlands Regional Premier S/East Regional Premier Championship 21 Clubs National North 2 12 Clubs

25. Yorkshire Regional Premier 12 Clubs Yorkshire West Division 1 12 Clubs East Div 3 10 Clubs A possible pyramid structure for Men (Open Age) level 4 in Yorkshire Yorkshire Central Division 1 12 Clubs Yorkshire East Division 1 12 Clubs East Div 2 10 Clubs Central Div 3 10 Clubs Central Div 2 10 Clubs West Div 2 10 Clubs West Div 3 10 Clubs West Div 4 10 Clubs West Div 5 10 Clubs West Div 6 10 Clubs

26. London Regional Premier 10 Clubs A possible pyramid structure for Men (Open Age) level 4 in London London RLC 10 Clubs Merit League 10 Clubs

27. Wales Regional Premier 10 Clubs A possible pyramid structure for Men (Open Age) level 4 in Wales Wales RLC 10 Clubs Wales Merit League 10 Clubs

28. Super League Championship National League Regional Leagues Winter competition The arrangements for the winter competition remains as at present It is up to players and clubs to decide where and when they want to play. No one will be forced to move.

29. Super League Academy's 14 Clubs Gillette National Youth League 20 Clubs Possible pyramid structure for Under 18s Championship Extended Scholarships 4 Clubs Yorkshire Regional Premier North West Regional Premier North East Regional Premier S/West Regional Premier W/Midlands Regional Premier London Regional Premier East Regional Premier E/Midlands Regional Premier S/East Regional Premier

30. 10 Clubs West Division 1 10 Clubs East Div 3 10 Clubs Possible pyramid structure at level 4 for 16/18 boys Central Division 1 10 Clubs East Division 1 10 Clubs East Div 2 10 Clubs Central Div 3 10 Clubs Central Div 2 10 Clubs West Div 2 10 Clubs West Div 3 10 Clubs West Div 4 10 Clubs

31. Yorkshire West Division 1 12 Clubs East Div 3 10 Clubs Possible pyramid structure at level 4 for juniors under 8s to 15s in Yorkshire? Yorkshire Central Division 1 12 Clubs Yorkshire East Division 1 12 Clubs East Div 2 10 Clubs Central Div 3 10 Clubs Central Div 2 10 Clubs West Div 2 10 Clubs West Div 3 10 Clubs West Div 4 10 Clubs West Div 5 10 Clubs West Div 6 10 Clubs

32. London Premier 10 Clubs A possible pyramid structure at level 4 for under 8s to under 15s in London London One 10 Clubs London Two 10 Clubs

33. 16/18yrs Games An official pre season needed? Number of weeks needed –Performance – 6 –Play offs – 4 –Holidays – 6 –League – 18 –Cups – 4 to 8 weeks –Pitch maintenance – 2 weeks

34. Youth Game Clubs –Regional leagues –National under 18s/U16s ? Schools –Champions schools Summer holidays a proper national solution

35. The Four Levels (criteria) Level One – Super League Level Two – Championship Level Three – Conference League Level Four – Regional League

36. Super League 14 Clubs National Premier North 12 Clubs National North 1 12 Clubs There will be some form of licence or agreement at each level to help improve standards National Premier South 12 Clubs National South 1 12 Clubs National NW 12 Clubs National NE 12 Clubs National South 2 12 Clubs Yorkshire Regional Premier North West Regional Premier North East Regional Premier S/West Regional Premier W/Midlands Regional Premier London Regional Premier East Regional Premier E/Midlands Regional Premier S/East Regional Premier Championship 21 Clubs National North 2 12 Clubs A, B&C Licence C&D Licence D & E Licence F&G Licence G&H Licence

37. Some other issues to resolve Your ideas on criteria for each level Dual registration between the winter and summer competition When do the two seasons start? –1 st September and so until 2013 37

38. 38 National Community Challenge Cups What cup competitions might we need?

39. 39 Challenge Cup (levels1 to 4) Conference Cup (level 3) ??? Rugby League Shield (level 4) ??? BARLA cup – how does this best fit in? Youth and junior: Service Area – Region - National Rugby League Cup structure

40. A further full and open consultation with the players and the wider game

41. How will we survey? An online survey of adults players across the game both winter and summer An online survey to be completed by the men’s, women’s and junior game 41

42. A New Type of League Management A digital age – how can we use digital means to improve the management of leagues Not just doing what always done A more modern structure Less meetings

43. A New Structure Determine what a new structure looks like 1 st JulyAnnounce the decision 16 th JulyCommunity Board »Discuss the principles of what the structure might look like »Agree principles of how to consult the Game further »Confirm the timescales 14 th SeptemberCommunity Board (new date) Agree the proposal to consult on November to JanuaryOnline consultation 3 rd DecemberCommunity Board »Agree some of the emerging principles February 2011Community Board (new date) »Agree the new game structure »Agree the timescale for launch 43

44. Best Sports Competition in the World

45. Questions? 45