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Five divisions gain approval

Dave Hadfield
Thursday 04 October 2001 00:00 BST
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Professional clubs have agreed a new five-division structure for the game, with Super League clubs releasing half a million pounds to help those below them.

A meeting at Headingley yesterday voted unanimously in favour of a series of measures – although only a fraction of the 118 recommendations of the recent Strategic Reviews into the game's future – aimed at taking it into the 21st century in more robust health.

"It's a very significant and important day in the history of rugby league,'' said the Rugby Football League chairman, Sir Rodney Walker. "I'm delighted with the response we received today.'' Under the plan adopted Super League will stay at 12 clubs, but after next season the Northern Ford Premiership will split into two divisions – National League One and Two – of 10 teams in each, with one extra club invited in to make up the numbers.

All three divisions will adopt a six team play-off, leading to what the planners say will be a transparent system of promotion and relegation.

The two amateur divisions below that will also play in the summer and, in one further concession, amateur teams drawing professional opposition in the Challenge Cup will be able to play them at home if they come out of the hat first, rather than having to concede home advantage.

Other changes include the adoption of a board of directors at the RFL independent of club ties and expanding the representative programme to include two County of Origin games from next season onwards.

The current reserve team competition, the Alliance, will be scrapped in favour of an Academy competition for Under-19s, with teams allowed to field three players aged between 19 and 21; the question of what happens to late developing players who cannot command a place in their clubs' first teams is still to be addressed.

Whilst there remains much more to be debated, yesterday's progress, and particularly Super League's willingness to funds available to their lower brethren, persuaded the architect of the plan, Nigel Wood, to hail yesterday as "peace in our time''. On the subject of Super League's willingness to part with some of their money, he admitted: "I wouldn't say happy was the right word, but it was unanimous. They have acknowledged the needs of the game. Some clubs who are finding it very difficult have made a very selfless gesture.''

Wakefield Trinity's 19-year-old prop, Keith Mason, is to move to Australia to play for the Melbourne Storm. Wakefield, chronically short of cash, are to receive around £35,000 and have first option on Mason if he chooses to return to England after his two-year contract.

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