As the highly anticipated Franchise Rugby League season approaches, fans eagerly await the kickoff later this year. In this article, we explore the origins, goals, and structure of the Franchise Rugby League and discuss how each club was chosen for the competition.
Franchise Rugby League, as the name suggests, consists of new or existing teams that have been granted a franchise license to participate in the competition. The league is modeled after Major League Soccer (MLS) in the United States, which was established in the 1990s to expand soccer across the country following a successful World Cup bid.
The primary objective of the Franchise Rugby League is to provide a platform for teams to expand their reach and develop their clubs. This includes building fan bases, commercial models, and player development programs that will enable them to evolve into professional clubs over time, with the ultimate aspiration being of joining the professional ranks of the Rugby Football League (RFL) in future years.
Franchise Rugby League clubs were selected based on several criteria, including location, accessibility to facilities, stadiums, players, airports, and commercial viability. Numerous locations across Europe were considered, and the four cities chosen for the inaugural season were deemed the most suitable for growth and development with the right platform.
Bristol, for example, is a thriving city with two universities, over 40 rugby union teams, and a young, vibrant demographic. The city also has a rich rugby league history, having successfully hosted a 2013 Rugby League World Cup game that drew an impressive crowd.
To promote growth and collaboration within the league, a “buddy” system has been implemented, pairing two teams in close proximity to foster natural rivalries and generate interest in the games. This meant that any successful entry also had to have a neighbouring location that satisfied the criteria of Franchise Rugby League. Bristol and Bath being an example. It is expected that this approach will help attract new fans to the sport and enhance the overall rugby experience rather than having a club in isolation and flying the flag of rugby league solo.
Franchise Rugby League clubs will field both men’s and women’s teams and operate under an equal opportunities program. The competition will run from September to December, with the potential for double headers featuring both men’s and women’s matches.
As the Franchise Rugby League season inches closer, fans can look forward to witnessing the growth and development of these clubs and the expansion of rugby league across Europe.
