Club Statement: RFL Special General Meeting and Grading vote decision

Rochdale Hornets chairman Andy Mazey has issued the following update on behalf of the board following today’s RFL Special General Meeting and Grading vote.

As you may be aware, we have been working hard behind the scenes reviewing the IMG grading proposals and the intended changes for the future of the whole sport for a number of months now.

Various consultation sessions have taken place between ourselves, the RFL and IMG to clarify, challenge and to digest the proposed changes.

Further to today's meeting held in Huddersfield, which I attended, I wanted to update you - our supporters - and key stakeholders personally on the outcome. 

The vote was passed by a overwhelming majority, which included our vote to support these changes.

The top and bottom of it is the game has to change in order to halt its decline, and it needs to attract increased broadcast and commercial revenues to not only survive, but hopefully thrive. 

There is opportunity for all clubs to progress under their own steam and in respect of our own club, we now have to be absolutely clear that if Rochdale wants to be relevant again within this sport we absolutely have to embrace these changes and the town needs to get behind its professional rugby league club.

The reality is we are a forward thinking club and have been making changes over the past couple of years despite the many challenges we have faced. 

We are investing in our Foundation, running community, ladies and wheelchair teams and are also currently mobilising LDRL and PDRL with a new community hub facility and pitches to increase our impact. Our partnership with Hopwood Hall College is developing all the time and some exciting things are on the horizon. 

On the flip side we have had no option but to reduce our main club playing budget to somewhere nearer a more sustainable base after the underachievement's of the past few seasons. We have had well documented issues in terms of our stadium, which we have hopefully now moved on from. 

Gary has been given a difficult task of rebuilding from a significantly reduced playing budget and we are at the start of a journey with a new young team and resetting a culture which requires patience and time. 

We recognise the need to correct a decline that dates back decades in terms of our lack of fan base, and this year's player spend probably reflects the current number of people turning up on match days. 

In summary, this new criteria gives us an opportunity to move this great club forward and maximise its potential. Everyone needs to play a part and get behind Rochdale Hornets like never before.

Onwards Hornets, 

Andy