Ralph Rimmer: Rugby league in a time of change

RFL chief executive Ralph Rimmer expects the game to change from what we are used to – even with the government loan.

Last week, the government announced a £16million emergency loan to the RFL to help rescue the future of the game.

A return date for rugby league is yet to be announced – but Rimmer believes the sport is in a time of change.

He said: “It has taken a six-week journey which has been absolutely relentless and I’ve got to thank the government for their level of engagement over the last six weeks.

“They’ve been outstanding and we’ve managed to develop a level of comfort but we should not take that lightly, we’ve got a lot of work to do yet.

“I think it would have survived but in a very different form – I still think it will change even with this money.

“We have to cut our cloth properly and we’ve been put on notice by the government that this is not a gravy train and we have to use this money very wisely to reshape and re-emerge.

“This is our 125th year anniversary and I really hope we re-emerge, punch the air and celebrate everything that is great about our sport.”

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