Featherstone Rovers on why they voted against new Super League proposals

A club grading system – and ending automatic promotion and relegation – to be implemented from 2025 was voted in by clubs at a meeting in Huddersfield today with 86 per cent approval, but Featherstone were one of the clubs who were against the plan.

They have explained why in a statement, which read: “Whilst the board is largely in agreement with the measures presented by IMG and the RFL, there remained a question about the ability for Category B teams to be promoted into Super League from the Championship when there are category B clubs remaining in Super League.

"We firmly believe that further dialogue needs to take place on this fundamental issue.

"We were clearly told during the consultation period that a Category B club would always replace another Category B should a promotion/relegation situation arise, this position has changed in further variations of the proposals.

"Other than this specific detail, the board feels that IMG present the best hope for the sport’s future, and the leadership that the sport so desperately needs.

"We have worked hard to make this club the best possible version of itself. As a club where distribution contributes to only 10% of our turnover, we are well versed in growing and operating a successful business and see this as the model that should be adopted by clubs across the sport.

"We have increased investment in facilities, diversified our income streams, developed grass roots development programs, a women’s Super League team and pathway, and made a commitment to Learning Disability Rugby League and much more.

"We believe that we stand in good stead with the IMG grading criteria and will continue to work hard to improve.

"We want to be absolutely clear that had the point concerning promotion and relegation for Category B clubs been addressed, we would have voted in favour of the proposals.”