Anyone got any news from tonight’s forum for those of us stuck down here in the south?

Didn't even know there was one update anyone

From what i've seen on socials there was nothing of any real interest.Mainly focused on the perceived loss of income in coming years and what can be done by groups like the excellent LS28 to attract more revenue and get folk back through the turnstyles.

kept a few notes while the night was ongoing. this is what i can remember

evening started with an introduction from directors on what each of their roles is and what the club plans to do going forward and what is required of us by the RFL

the five pillars system which "aims to reward behaviour that underpins the objectives of the RFL - basically conditions from the rfl which will dictate which money we will get year on year
the pillars are (off top of my head): producing players, financial sustainability, increase in bums on seats, england winning, and increase in online data collection (which seems to be the main one)
RFL will monitor clubs on an ongoing basis. no other sanctions were mentioned for failing to meet these other than loss of central funding

announced there was a fall out with last years kit suppliers errea - had issues with quality and delivery times. managed to get out of that contract and have gone with Samurai. new range of products for the shop tba including a heritage shirt, training vests and leisure wear

also announced our chosen charity for 2019 will be Overgate Hospice


speech from the head of the community detailing what their plans are for next year. talent pathway, heritage lunches etc
fax community seeking sponsors to keep foundation going as lost funding from sky try - one of 9 clubs to lose funding. sky try funding comes from rfl with conditions attached but was mentioned even those that met the criteria
still lost funding.
mentioned every playing member of a junior club across the district will be given a free season ticket for next year

idea for starting womens team brought up, told costs £7k to run a team and
funding isn't there at the moment but will be looked at again in future

moved onto finances
set to lose 40% of central distribution due to the pillars system. club has cut 40% in costs

accounts were late because club went back to 2012 and rolled up all of its losses (whatever that means - lot of jargon bandied around)
club made £7k loss overall


printed handout was passed around with funding structure going forward
our central funding for 2019 will be £453k all of which will be given to RM for signing players

commercial team seeking new sponsors


that's about all i can remember. hope it helps those unable to attend

Producing players ?

Is that a new strategy ? Some brainwave from the RFL ?

scrap the a teams, participation falls, blame the clubs - that's the RFL way

The only thing that flickers my interest is start a woman's team . When you look at the growth of women's rugby at the likes of old Brods it's certainly worth a go. 1 new sponsor with a family friendly product and there could be advantages for both sponsor and club. Also to me it is key to any community engagement plan for the future. It's something the club could go for and make its mark at low cost

Thanks FFF I know it's a short term view but relieved we get the full 450k for next year,having heard other things mooted.Obviously next year is massive as funds in future could make a promotion challenge unrealistic.Find it strange giving 3 year contracts to a player we may only require for one.....

Thanks TFFM for your post.

Thanks for the update.

The five pillars, i’d Say more like the five pillocks if it’s anything to do with the RFL.

Reward youth development, we’ve developed plenty of players but don’t support to keep them, should be decent, minimum payouts guaranteed when young players are taken from lower clubs.

Very true

5"Pillars System" What does this mean in plain English why do Corporations/Business & Councils talk in gobbledygook ?

They're the stone things that hold up the little porch outside Red Hall.

Lol it's purely for someone's PDR so that they can say look at my bright idea. In 3 years it might be " the fallen temple" . The idea of the 5 pillars are of course the 5 basic rules in Islam so someone has ticked the PDR diversity box as well. There is always a reason somewhere in RFL s logic for tomorrow's bright future . It may however be a return to the fundamental basics of rugby league which they suddenly have realised is missing because of their world strategy. We can only stand in wonder at what they will come up with next.

Listening to the Fat controller and Rimmer is like reading The Guardian backwards.

Hudds-Shay at least you read a quality newspaper or did you mean the Halifax Courier and Guardian?