Leeds Rhinos line up in queue for share of RFL ‘lifeline’

Leeds Rhinos will be applying for a slice of rugby league’s £16m government loan.
Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington. Picture: Steve Riding.Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington. Picture: Steve Riding.
Leeds Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington. Picture: Steve Riding.

The emergency funding, announced on Friday, is being provided by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport to keep clubs afloat during coronavirus.

It will be administered by the Rugby Football League (RFL) whose chief executive Ralph Rimmer says cash will go where it is most needed and will not be divided evenly between clubs.

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All English-based sides in Betfred Super League, the Championship and League One are eligible to apply and Rhinos chief executive Gary Hetherington confirmed they will be “in the queue”.

Callum McLelland celebrates scoring for Leeds Rhinos against Toronto Wolfpack. Picture: SWPix.com.Callum McLelland celebrates scoring for Leeds Rhinos against Toronto Wolfpack. Picture: SWPix.com.
Callum McLelland celebrates scoring for Leeds Rhinos against Toronto Wolfpack. Picture: SWPix.com.

Four of Rhinos’ five competitive games this year have been staged at Emerald Headingley, but Leeds have not played since a 66-12 rout of Toronto Wolfpack on March 5. Rhinos have imposed a pay cut and players and most staff have been placed on furlough

“We will be applying,” Hetherington revealed. “As I said right at the outset, clubs like ours who have got big, diverse businesses and a lot of employees, normally that would give you an advantage in sporting terms.

“But in the situation we are in now, we – in many ways – have got the biggest problem. Our problems probably contrast quite sharply to some other rugby league clubs and sport businesses.

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“When the application for funding was made (by the governing body) it took all that into account. The RFL have centrally held information as to how the postponement of games would affect clubs’ financial position and that was the basis of their claim. What they will now do, presumably, is dispense that against application, in the manner it was claimed.”

RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer. Picture: SWPix.com.RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer. Picture: SWPix.com.
RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer. Picture: SWPix.com.

The three professional divisions include 37 clubs, of which Toronto Wolfpack, Catalans Dragons, Toulouse Olympique, North Wales Crusaders and West Wales Raiders are ineligible to apply. Hetherington said he has “no idea” how much individual clubs will receive.

“All clubs have got a different set of circumstances and all need to survive this pandemic and be in business at the end of it,” he added.

“But also there is the wider game as well.

“The money is being managed jointly by the RFL and government departments so it will no doubt be quite a rigorous process, but we will certainly be in the queue.”

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Rugby league has been suspended for more than six weeks and the RFL has been in talks with the government throughout that period

Hetherington welcomed the loan as “good news for the game” adding: “It is good to get the recognition from government that rugby league in many ways is a special case, in its commitment to communities and the impact that it has in those communities - and it is not a wealthy sport as well.

“The money is timely as all clubs and the RFL are under pressure because income streams have dried up.”

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