BY JOHN DAVIDSON
Exclusive: The RFL has privately advised clubs and officials not to get involved in the new ‘Franchise Rugby League’ competition.
The competition involves English clubs Bath Gladiators and Bristol Sonics, and Spanish clubs Valencia Huracanes and Alicante Cruzados, who are set to play matches from September to December in a new European competition.
News broke of ‘Franchise Rugby League’ last month, when at that time the RFL briefly distanced itself from the tournament. More can be read here.
But, according to an email sent by David Raybould, the RFL’s Community Game Competition Manager, to clubs on April 21 the governing body has strongly cautioned any teams or individuals participating in the “unauthorised competition”.
Raybould’s email reads in full:
Good Afternoon
I hope you are well and looking forward to the 2023 season.
I wanted to write to you all to provide an update on the Franchise Rugby League that you may or may not have seen as some clubs have contacted us to ask for the RFL’s position.
This we believe is run by the same gentleman who tried to set up Euro XIII and also ran the Bath Gladiators who we removed from the SCL last season after they failed to play any games, registered only 6 players and claimed to not receive any emails from the RFL.
To be clear this latest venture is not supported or sanctioned by the RFL or to our knowledge by the European Rugby League Federation, we do not intend to respond or make comments on social media about this concept.
This means the competition is not covered by the RFL Operational and Competition Rules or the policies which are covered within these, such as safeguarding, discipline, medical standards, and anti-doping. It will also not be covered by the RFL Insurance protection or match officials appointed by the RFL.
Any clubs or senior club officials should therefore not look to participate in this unauthorised competition, if they do, they may be in breach of the RFL Operational Rules and risk their own involvement in RFL Competitions in future years.
Anybody involved in this should ensure that adequate medical and insurance cover are in place or risk having personal liability should anything go wrong.
There are lots of positives across the South at the minute with new streamlined and aligned regional competitions, a refreshed SCL, the return of the Harry Jepson Trophy and regional representative rugby. I would rather that be the focus.
Should you have further questions please speak to your competition manager or regional development manager.
All the best
Dave
According to its website, Franchise Rugby League is set to start with a game between Valencia and Bath in the Spanish city on September 16.
It claims it will include men’s and women’s teams from each club, with double-headers, and involve a player draft.
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