SALFORD and Celtic Crusaders will play in Super League next season, the RFL have announced.
It means, for the first time in the competition's 13 year history, that Wales will have its own Super League side, in the Bridgend based Crusaders, as well as a presence in England's second largest conurbation, the cities of Salford and Manchester, through the Salford City Reds.
The decision to award licences to Celtic and Salford also means that engage Super League will have a greater geographical footprint than ever before from 2009. Games will be in played in England, France, Scotland - following confirmation last week that the Magic Weekend will be held in Murrayfield next May – and Wales.
Richard Lewis, the RFL's Executive Chairman, said: "This is a historic day for Rugby League and we are once again being innovative and leading the way in British sport by implementing a licensing system that will improve standards both on and off the field in the elite competition.
"We believe licensing has already served to galvanise the sport, stimulating clubs into addressing the issues of facility improvements, spectator comfort and the production of more players
"Fundamentally, and at its heart, licensing promotes improvement in standards across the board. It creates stability and yet crucially keeps open the route into Super League for all aspiring clubs who can demonstrate the required standard. It is a better and fairer way of a club entering engage Super League."
According to the RFL the current system encourages short term decision making, and in some cases exclusive investment in the first team. It can also result in the very destructive yo-yo scenario where clubs overstretch themselves to either gain promotion or avoid relegation.
Lewis added: "A three year licence provides an environment where by clubs will be able to look long term, giving them a sounder base to invest off the field as well as on it. This will lead to improvements in stadiums, training facilities and club management as well as the production of junior players who will be given greater opportunity to play first team rugby."
By increasing the number of teams in engage Super League to 14, implementing the licensing system, and expanding the geographical spread of the competition, the RFL has met a number of objectives set out in its Super League strategy 2005-2008.
At the same time Lewis predicted a very bright future for the sport at The Co-operative National League level where from next year clubs will be playing for a prize fund in excess of £200,000, with the winners of National League One scooping £100,000.
Richard Lewis said: "Congratulations must go to the 14 clubs who have been awarded Super League licences but also the five that have missed out on this occasion.
"We appreciate that inevitably some clubs will be disappointed by today's announcement. However, our exciting plans for the Co-operative National League will ensure that they remain part of a successful and vibrant competition.
"Today however, is about Super League. It is about making significant progress towards our vision of creating the world's best rugby league competition.
"Licensing will undoubtedly help us to create great clubs whose athletes produce terrific contests, played out in modern facilities in front of large crowds."
The decision to introduce licensing to engage Super League was taken over a long period of time and involved consultation with all clubs in the engage Super League and The Co-operative National Leagues.
Following their approval, clubs were invited to take part in 'dry runs' during 2006 and 2007 so they could be well prepared for the real thing early this year.
Clubs had to submit their applications to the RFL by 31 March 2008 in the knowledge that their submission would be assessed in four main areas: - stadium facilities, finance and business performance, commercial and marketing, and playing strength including junior player production development.
Nineteen clubs submitted bids to the RFL and since March extensive analysis of the applications has taken place. The independent RFL Board then decided which 14 clubs should be awarded Super League licences for 2009-2011. They are: (in alphabetical order)
* Bradford Bulls
* Catalans Dragons
* Castleford Tigers
* Celtic Crusaders
* Harlequins RL
* Huddersfield Giants
* Hull FC
* Hull KR
* Leeds Rhinos
* Salford City Reds
* St Helens
* Wakefield Trinity Wildcats
* Warrington Wolves
* Wigan Warriors
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