Fax opt out of RFL’s new-look reserve grade, citing rising costs
HALIFAX HAVE announced they will not enter a team in the RFL’s revamped reserve grade set up next season, despite having been standard bearers for the concept over the last four years.
The club’s board of directors released a statement over the weekend, saying the decision had been taken with ‘disappointment and regret’ and citing a number of factors including rising costs, coupled with budget restrictions after an indifferent 2019 Championship season, and ongoing issues with player recruitment and retention.
“We have calculated, as best we can, the additional costs of running the Reserve Grade team next year,” said the statement.
“To be candid our recently amended business plan and forecast shows we are not in a financial position to commit to these additional costs.”
Fax’s second string was revived by former coach Richard Marshall, with the current St Helens assistant coach frequently highlighting its success.
Current first team players
James Woodburn-Hall, Brandon Moore, Reece ChapmanSmith and Elliot Morris all emerged after becoming ineligible for under 19s rugby at Super League clubs, while current Super League players Chester Butler and Nick Rawsthorne trod the same path.
The irony for Fax, who under Marshall petitioned vigorously for a properly structured competition, is that they have effectively become victims of their own success.
With a reserve side now mandatory for all Super League clubs, there are considerably less players on the market as top flight teams hoard talent to fill their own rosters.
A source told Courier Sport earlier this week that one Yorkshire Super League club currently has just six players earmarked for their squad in the fledgling competition, highlighting the competition for players,
“Finance issues aside, which the club have been pretty clear on, the landscape has changed in terms of recruitment,” said head coach Simon Grix.
“There are 15 teams out competing for talent.”