The RFL has determined the club grading outcomes for 2023 and provided an illustrative grading for 2024. It should be noted that this will not determine any league placings for the 2024 season or influence any of the ongoing discussions around competition structure.
After issuing the illustrative gradings to each club on Monday, the RFL is now publishing the full list of all clubs.
Oldham RLFC’s illustrative grading for 2024 is 7.39. This is a high Category C grading that falls just under the 7.50 threshold for a B grading. The clubs previous grading for 2023 was 6.13, which shows the progress the club has already made over the first few months of new ownership.
It is important to note that almost 50% of the grading scoring is averaged over a 3-year period. These criteria include several financial measures, on the pitch performance and attendances. As a result, over the next two years the club will be working with legacy scoring as it looks to improve its grading.
Similarly, there are also some criteria that remain out of the club’s direct control, such as catchment population and viewership opportunities outside of the top level. However, the club is putting plans into place to achieve a B grading in 2024.
Club director Simon Winnard said,
‘As you would expect, the club’s business planning is directly aligned to the IMG grading process. We have identified target areas where we can improve our grading score and, with the plans we have in place, are confident of securing a B grading in 2024, with focus on achieving a high B grading in 2025’.
Inevitably, the publication of gradings is going to lead to a significant number of questions from supporters. Oldham RLFC are committed to being open and transparent with its supporters and are happy to respond to any direct questions about the grading score or process. These can be sent directly to simon.winnard@roughyeds.co.uk or alternatively supporters are invited to pose these or any other questions as part of the fan’s forum on the 7th November at Boundary Park.
