Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Wed May 12, 2021 2:48 pm  

We should boycott this. What a pathetic administration we have running this sport

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Wed May 12, 2021 2:51 pm  

Mark Foster, the RFL’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: "We know the restrictions on capacity at Leigh Sports Village are going to mean frustration and disappointment for some who would want to support their teams in person.

We share that frustration, but this event was scheduled over six months ago and it became clear recently, that while it is great that fans would be allowed inside the stadium, it was going to be an event with unique challenges, involving six teams playing at the same stadium in the period between the partial reopening of stadiums to fans in Step 3 of the Government Roadmap out of Lockdown, and the further easing in Step 4 later in June.

"We are grateful to Leigh Sports Village and the four Semi-Finalists for the way that they have worked with us to get to this stage and to the BBC for their live coverage of all 3 games meaning that those fans who are unable to attend in person at the stadium can still watch the game live on TV.”

Reading this he is acknowledging the RFL has made the wrong decision!!

He shares the fans frustration. Do something about it then!!

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Wed May 12, 2021 2:54 pm  

Several stadiums were considered based on being a neutral venue for the 4 Semi Finalists, being available on June 5, being able to host Rugby League, being geographically located somewhere accessible for the fans who would want to attend. Measured against this criteria Leigh Sports Village was the best stadium to host the event.

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Wed May 12, 2021 2:54 pm  

Marcus's Bicycle wrote:

Mark Foster, the RFL’s Chief Commercial Officer, said: "We know the restrictions on capacity at Leigh Sports Village are going to mean frustration and disappointment for some who would want to support their teams in person.

We share that frustration, but this event was scheduled over six months ago and it became clear recently, that while it is great that fans would be allowed inside the stadium, it was going to be an event with unique challenges, involving six teams playing at the same stadium in the period between the partial reopening of stadiums to fans in Step 3 of the Government Roadmap out of Lockdown, and the further easing in Step 4 later in June.

"We are grateful to Leigh Sports Village and the four Semi-Finalists for the way that they have worked with us to get to this stage and to the BBC for their live coverage of all 3 games meaning that those fans who are unable to attend in person at the stadium can still watch the game live on TV.”

Reading this he is acknowledging the RFL has made the wrong decision!!

He shares the fans frustration. Do something about it then!!

so 6 months ago, they agreed Leigh would be suitable.......how many months since the lockdown stages being unlocked have they known about fans being allowed back? enough time to organise a different or another venue!



just utter amateurism again from our sport!

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Wed May 12, 2021 2:57 pm  

number 6 wrote:

so 6 months ago, they agreed Leigh would be suitable

I doubt it, they could have been one of the semi finalists.

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Wed May 12, 2021 2:59 pm  

Travel distances to Leigh:
St Helens 11 miles
Warrington 10 miles
Castleford 60 miles
Hull 106 miles

Plus 3/4 of the Women’s teams are from Yorkshire.

Upon reflection, these games should have been held at Widnes, as this is only 7 miles from St Helens and Warrington and would have been better for the RFL environmental initiative!

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Wed May 12, 2021 3:08 pm  

Rugby Raider wrote:

Travel distances to Leigh:
St Helens 11 miles
Warrington 10 miles
Castleford 60 miles
Hull 106 miles

Plus 3/4 of the Women’s teams are from Yorkshire.

Upon reflection, these games should have been held at Widnes, as this is only 7 miles from St Helens and Warrington and would have been better for the RFL environmental initiative!

will the winners of the womens challenge cup semi final get an additional 600 tickets? saints/cas/warrington could end up having double what we get!

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Wed May 12, 2021 3:09 pm  

Dave K. wrote:

:lol:

Big call this,but this is probably the worst RFL decision I've ever seen.

Definitely in the top 50.

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Wed May 12, 2021 3:20 pm  

Yes the rfl are a joke

But the clubs play a part aswell they should of demanded a bigger ground

The clubs and RFL are why the game is in a mess no ambition

Re: 2021 Challenge Cup Semi-Final Draw : Wed May 12, 2021 4:02 pm  

Why did they book the venue six months ago with no indication of Covid restrictions so far ahead? The RFL are a shambles.

The semis should be both at Huddersfield, one on the Saturday and one on the Sunday.

The double header hasn't worked in previous years and certainly won't with a reduced attendance. Cas and Warrington supporters aren't going to turn up until near the end of our semi and Hull/Saints supporters will leave as soon as our game finishes. The winners will want to go for a beer and the losers will just want to go home.