Bobbie Goulding reveals his blue print for Super League
Former Great Britain international Bobbie Goulding has come up with a plan to take Super League global and to a wider audience.
The 48-year-old had an illustrious playing career at the highest level, enjoying spells at Wigan, Leeds, Widnes and St Helens among others while representing Great Britain and England internationally.
And with the game currently struggling financially due to the coronavirus pandemic, Goulding has suggested it should go part-time or follow through with his blue print.
Goulding said: “Firstly, a new broadcasting deal. This would have to be financially far in excess of what it is today and club owners would have to be owners of blue chip companies or even royalty.
“Secondly, I would run a 13-team competition with home and away fixtures being played on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday only, with teams playing every six days at a maximum due to player welfare and one team every week having a weekend off.
“The top four would play-off in a semi-final, with the winners going through to the final – and the top two would play an end-of-season World Club Challenge against the NRL’s top two.
“There would be no relegation for five years, so clubs could get financially secure. There would be Leagues 1 and 2 at a semi-professional level running as well.
“The Challenge Cup would run throughout the season alongside the other leagues but no other games would be played while Challenge Cup games are played and the final would be at Wembley.
“This would be to grow the sport like never before and get coverage similar to football, cricket, tennis and rugby union.”
Goulding’s 13-team Super League
1 Newcastle
2 Cumbria
3 One team from Hull
4 West Yorkshire
5 Leeds
6 Manchester
7 Liverpool
8 Birmingham
9 London
10 Catalans
11 Toulouse
12 Toronto
13 One of the following with the best bid – Ottawa, New York, Cardiff, Dublin, Edinburgh or UAE.
Goulding added: “This is my dream to see my sport of rugby league be successful on a worldwide stage.”
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