Taken from sporting life

The Co-operative Championship could be expanded from 11 to 14 teams in 2012 with entry dependent on clubs meeting minimum standards, if proposals put forward by the Rugby Football League are accepted by the clubs.



A consultation paper which will form the basis of a shake-up of the divisional structure below Super League for the 2012, 2013 and 2014 seasons has been circulated to Championship clubs and the RFL hope to have final ratification in March and to announce the make-up of the league in September.



The size of the Championship will determine how many clubs participate in Championship One but the RFL say they will seek expressions of interest from clubs currently playing outside Championship level to join the third-tier competition.



It is proposed that promotion and relegation between the Championship and Championship One will continue up to 2014, after which the RFL could also consider promotion and relegation between Championship One and the Conference Leagues.



Cup competitions, including the Northern Rail Cup which kicks off this week, will remain an integral part of any new structure but are likely to move to within the Championships season.



The RFL say that, although central funding will continue, under the new proposals the size of hand-outs will be more performance-related to factors such as a club's contribution to the sport and its business management.



Ralph Rimmer, the RFL's chief operating officer, said: "There are indeed some radical changes in there but I have no doubt that these proposals will allow the RFL to maximise the return on its investment and improve the stability of clubs by encouraging stronger business management."

In other words, The Championships are to become Franchises?

I wouldn't particularly want franchising but we need more home games so increasing to 14 teams is a good idea

It sounds like the championship is.



I think champ one is to remain the same with P&R to the next league down.

The way I read it:



- up to 2014, only promotion/relegation between Champ and Champ 1

- after that date, ALSO, relegation possibly between Champ 1 and below



There will be a one time reshuffling at the end of this season, where some franchise type criteria will need to be met (as opposed to simply finishing in the top 3 or 4 of Champ 1.) But there have always been certain minimum requirements to go up anyway. All sounds reasonable to me (can hardly believe I am saying that).

The actual statement from the |RFL therfl.co.uk/news/article/20862

The actual statement from the |RFL therfl.co.uk/news/article/20862

It'snever what the RFL say its what they leave out that puzzles folk

Fred , everything they ever say puzzles me , and the rest of the world as well , they talk absolute bollox , then you have the ' Emporers new clothes ' followers who pretend to understand , but are just as confused as the rest of us really , they are just too arrogant to admit it

Another way to prevent Tolouse from getting relegated !! LOL!!!

You raise an interesting point Snowy - is it possible that a second French club could appear in the Championship. To Fred's point, what they DO say, does not rule out that possibility.



Also what this appears to be saying is that there will not be promo/relegation from our league this season, which does make the Champ 1 season a little less meaningful...

I imagine Whitehaven are chuffed to bits.

Not half..what a time to go tits up.

I hope they can regroup and get back in this league.

A strong whitehaven would make this league even better imo.