IMG Gradings confirmed

[Pippedatthepostagain]

On the Leigh Leopards website , they explain that until a few weeks ago , they were expecting an extra 0.15 points , but they were told that the LSV Big Screen did not comply with RL regulations.Imagine if your team were banking on those points re a borderline grading.

I guess you should check the requirements then?

they were given the 0.15 points in 2023 ,but not 2024.Showed DB on screen too much ?

[the pieman]

On the Leigh Leopards website , they explain that until a few weeks ago , they were expecting an extra 0.15 points , but they were told that the LSV Big Screen did not comply with RL regulations.Imagine if your team were banking on those points re a borderline grading.

I guess you should check the requirements then?

they were given the 0.15 points in 2023 ,but not 2024.Showed DB on screen too much ?

DB also explained in a lengthy post yesterday how he played the system so Leigh were awarded A, as they would have missed out on a place in SL if he didnt, but he was very open about why and why he has been so vocal about the process i.e. it can be manipulated and certainly has in cases of clubs i'm bored of mentioning but Nathan seems quite happy that they are suitable Grade A clubs as he constantly argues against anyone with a point against them

when other chairmen can see the flaws, and that they are bringing the game down, what else can we say?

[Ipinwigan]

The whole problem with the IMG gradings, is that anyone who knows about the current state of Rugby League would have been able to tell you which 12 clubs will be in Super League.

None of the other clubs in the lower leagues are anywhere near good enough to be in.

It's been a complete waste of money, not really surprising, given the RL's track record.

[nathan_rugby]

I guess you should check the requirements then?

they were given the 0.15 points in 2023 ,but not 2024.Showed DB on screen too much ?

DB also explained in a lengthy post yesterday how he played the system so Leigh were awarded A, as they would have missed out on a place in SL if he didnt, but he was very open about why and why he has been so vocal about the process i.e. it can be manipulated and certainly has in cases of clubs i'm bored of mentioning but Nathan seems quite happy that they are suitable Grade A clubs as he constantly argues against anyone with a point against them

when other chairmen can see the flaws, and that they are bringing the game down, what else can we say?

Lets get the facts straight here because there is a clear difference.

As per the IMG criteria and results they are grade A clubs. Everyone needs to accept this, unless they believe people have cheated...

A separate point is "Surely they must have got the criteria and weightings wrong because Castleford surely are not an A grade club because of X, Y, Z"

My points have always been related to point one above and for the record, without knowing the specific results, i don't like the criteria and the weightings. Academies and stadium utilization are two big bug bears.

[Mike]

The whole problem with the IMG gradings, is that anyone who knows about the current state of Rugby League would have been able to tell you which 12 clubs will be in Super League.

None of the other clubs in the lower leagues are anywhere near good enough to be in.

It's been a complete waste of money, not really surprising, given the RL's track record.

Toulouse?

[Mike]

On the Leigh Leopards website , they explain that until a few weeks ago , they were expecting an extra 0.15 points , but they were told that the LSV Big Screen did not comply with RL regulations.Imagine if your team were banking on those points re a borderline grading.

I guess you should check the requirements then?

they were given the 0.15 points in 2023 ,but not 2024.Showed DB on screen too much ?

I guess 2023s audit got it wrong then? Fortunately that was illustrative and nothing was riding on it. Is that the only reason Derek is criticising the criteria?

BTW "gaming" the system to gain points is entirely what this process is about. These are the criteria IMG want clubs to improve to meet, so thats great if they are spending their money to meet those criteria is it not? Measurable criteria are always going to have a cut off point. Thats always going to feel a bit arbitrary when you just miss out or just get over the bar, but anything else is subjective, and how do you manage that process?

Over time the criteria will be adjusted gradually with any luck. For example the 7.5k attendence should gradually creep up as standards improve IMO. And the RFL should use their influence to include academy and player development as a new pillar with points attached.

Anyway I find the gradings very interesting because it gives us something to discuss in the off-season!

[moto748]

All that would be fine (ish), Mike, if the process was going to be a long-term, say ten years into the future or more. But if it's a case of IMG complete their short-term contract, and then walk away from RL with a fat cheque in their pockets, that's not so good.

[Mike]

That's true. Let's hope they are successful and want another contract.

[fozzie58]

All that would be fine (ish), Mike, if the process was going to be a long-term, say ten years into the future or more. But if it's a case of IMG complete their short-term contract, and then walk away from RL with a fat cheque in their pockets, that's not so good.

Well so far they’ve picked up a solid wedge already from well what I’m not quite sure of,licensing again last used 15 years ago with added buzz words that they’ll lap up and what else?

I’m struggling indeed they only time I seem to remember IMG talking about RL was on the tv deal,the one that gave away more for much less,yes now to do with them and if that’s the case really what are the sport paying them for?

[Mike]

All that would be fine (ish), Mike, if the process was going to be a long-term, say ten years into the future or more. But if it's a case of IMG complete their short-term contract, and then walk away from RL with a fat cheque in their pockets, that's not so good.

Well so far they’ve picked up a solid wedge already from well what I’m not quite sure of,licensing again last used 15 years ago with added buzz words that they’ll lap up and what else?

I’m struggling indeed they only time I seem to remember IMG talking about RL was on the tv deal,the one that gave away more for much less,yes now to do with them and if that’s the case really what are the sport paying them for?

Crowds up. Viewership up. Apart from that though...

You can easily say that's nothing to do with them and would have happened anyway. And I think that would be pretty accurate at this point. IMG's strategy needs to be judged over 5-10 years, not 12 months IMO.

I don't really understand how people believe major, positive changes can happen overnight - AKA "get a better TV deal". OK, how? Ask more organizations? "BT Sport/BBC/ITV/Channel4 will pay more if only someone thought to ask them"... None of that stuff cuts it for me. You have to grow demand, grow viewership, show that growth over a period of time and only then will a bigger TV deal follow, ideally with multiple broadcasters wanting in on the action.

Anyway, Im starting to come round to the belief that what's wrong with being the sport we are now? We've got enough to maintain professional squads. The players still make a living they are willing to play for. Seems fine. Expansion seems to be blocked at every turn, so lets just enjoy what we have and who cares if anyone else wants or doesn't want to watch. Its our thing why not keep it under the radar and keep it a relatively hidden gem in the north and a few other regions that make it more special than something like football.