Formal Consultation Period

Formal consultation period to start on community game
A formal period of consultation on a possible change to the community game playing season will now commence following a resolution passed by the Community Board on Friday April 30. This consultation process will focus on players playing at amateur level and will take place over a six-week period. It will end with a recommendation that will go forward to the clubs and leagues with the decision ultimately resting with these groups. The different options which are being discussed are to switch the season for junior and open age teams to March–November; to keep the season structure as it is at present; and to introduce a split season which would include a break for the winter months. David Gent, the RFL's Director of Participation and Strategic Partnerships, said: “It is essential that we get the views of the players about when they would like to play. “We are therefore planning to use an external organisation to conduct a survey amongst a cross section of community game players. “During this formal consultation period we want to hear the views of as many people as possible who are involved in the sport and next week we will announce a number of different ways in which people can give us their opinions. “There has been through the process so far a belief by some that this is a ‘done deal’ in moving to a summer based game. This consultation is a genuine, sincere and open consultation process to give players, coaches, administrators and volunteers an opportunity to comment on what they believe to be the best time of the year to play rugby league.” The Community Board made the recommendation to enter a formal consultation period following a series of meetings with key organisations and leagues across the community game to gauge opinions on what would be the best time of the year to play rugby league. This process was initiated in response to concerns and requests from the community game over the last season. These working group meetings were attended by league and club representatives as well as representatives from the BARLA Board of Management. The RFL is keen to hear views from all parts of the sport and if you wish to know more or wish to make a comment please e-mail Andy Harland, the RFL's National Development Manager, via andy.harland@rfl.uk.com