RFL announce return to profit and revised forecasts

The governing body held its Annual General Meeting today and reported a profit of £75,000 for 2019 following significant losses in each of the previous two years, including £327,000 in 2018.

Admittedly, the RFL is bracing itself for the worst next year after the coronavirus decimated its plans, including England’s lucrative three Test home series with Australia this autumn which was budgeted to deliver more than £3m income but had to be cancelled.

With that in mind, statements revealed revised forecasts for 2020 and 2021.

It read: “An initial forecast profit of £109,000 has been revised, taking into account reduced ticketing and commercial income, as well as reduced staff costs and the impact of Government schemes in place specifically to mitigate the impact of Covid-19 such as the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

“Clearly, there will be a financial impact on the RFL but the Executive and the RFL Board are working closely on this to adapt the organisation to ensure its financial resilience over the next two years and beyond.”

The RFL was pleased with its 2019 performance, especially given it also had no home Test matches last year and saw a reduction in match and broadcast income of more than £1m compared to 2018 when the Kiwis had visited.

It said it “demonstrates the Executive’s prudent cost management and commitment to returning the RFL to a profitable position and building a stronger balance sheet”.

Staff numbers included in the company accounts have reduced from 174 in 2016 to 132 last year, equating to a reduction in staffing costs of 27 per cent over that period.

The RFL’s 2019 End of Year Report to Sport England revealed the number of people regularly participating in Rugby League increased from 102,304 to 109,501.

RFL’s Director of Participation and Development Marc Lovering said; “This represents a third successive year of growth in this funding cycle, slightly above the Sport England target of 5% growth – and the RFL continues to make good progress against other contractual targets on which the Sport England public funding is based.

“In terms of regular participation, we have achieved growth across our core areas of Primary, Junior, Youth and Open Age for the first time this cycle.

“We have seen strong growth in the schools setting. We are continuing to see rapid growth in the Women’s and Girls’ game and we are focused on ensuring that we maintain this momentum despite the challenges of the current situation.

“Alongside inclusive sporting opportunities and high-quality talent pathways, Rugby League improves life chances and increases social mobility.

“Together with the Rugby League Foundations we remain committed to delivering all the wider social outcomes – in health, education and community cohesion – detailed in the Rugby League Dividend report.”

Meanwhile, at the first-ever RFL AGM to be held remotely by video link, Clare Balding OBE succeeded Tony Adams MBE as the RFL’s 30th President for a two-year period until July 2022.

Approval was also granted for Carl Hall, of Doncaster RLFC, to extend his vice-presidency by six months until December when he will be succeeded by Hull KR CEO Mike Smith for an 18-month term running to July 2022.

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