NEW Championship chairman Simon Halliday says the survival of many of the clubs in the second-tier professional league depends on the RFU/Premiership agreeing to urgent radical change.
The former 23-cap England and Bath centre was confirmed as the new chairman of the English second tier following its AGM at Twickenham on Wednesday.
His election, in place of Doncaster’s Steve Lloyd, is groundbreaking because it has brought the previously fragmented Championship clubs together as a united front demanding crucial reforms to the way the game in England is structured and governed.
Halliday, who is Strategic Adviser at Ealing Trailfinders – who were denied promotion to the Premiership by a ground criteria ruling in 2022, and blocked again this year (before finishing 2nd) – is joined at the Championship top table by new vice-chairman, Nottingham’s Alistair Bow.
Halliday said in an exclusive interview with The Rugby Paper that the existence of many Championship clubs is at stake following the swingeing RFU cut in annual funding to £150,000 in 2020.
He argues that it is imperative that the current wrangling over the future shape of the English club game with the RFU/Premiership – especially the new Premiership 1 & 2 structure and its funding and pathway/academy systems – is resolved rapidly.
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin July 02, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye The Rugby Paper dergisinin July 02, 2023 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
England can find a little bit of cheer
SO HERE we are on the final day of England’s autumn international series with all of us hoping and expecting Steve Borthwick’s team to win today after three weeks of bitter disappointment.
Stop messing with Marcus - Campese
DAVID Campese believes England are going backwards under Steve Borthwick, who is ‘messing around’ with talisman Marcus Smith.
Being a Lion was the highlight of my career
I PLAYED 19 games and scored 219 points for the Lions, on the tours to South Africa in 1968 and New Zealand in 1971, but I never played in a Test and that was fair enough.
Cook's crew not fazed as they eye tilt at top half
THERE appear to be few signs of second season syndrome at Westcombe Park as captain Nick Cook reveals the group aren’t even contemplating the threat of relegation and are instead targeting a top-half finish.
Forwards pack a punch for the Reds
OLD Redcliffians produced a proud defensive effort to take a bonus-point win.
Tom 'Ailes' the achievements of inspirational skipper Riley
SEDGLEY Park No. 8 Tom Ailes says his team relish the competitive nature of National One and is confident the Tigers can rectify their rocky start to the season in weeks to come.
Strachan confident Ampthill will be firing again soon
FRASER Strachan is determined to put Ampthill’s leaky defensive showings behind them and gain some much needed confidence in the run up to Christmas.
It's a whole new ball game for Rigg
WILL Rigg’s ambition was to become a professional cricketer but it is the oval ball rather than The Oval that is his driver now.
Scarratt leads the way for Lightning
LOUGHBOROUGH won a wet and windy East Midlands Derby after having the bonus point in the bag by half-time.
Becconsall: We need to release pressure
WILL Becconsall says Exeter are not spooked by the threat of relegation as they look to turn around their Premiership campaign after starting with six straight defeats.
