2023 is the year for ‘big, bold, brave decisions’ to take rugby league to the next level, says Andy Last.
Last year saw the 13-a-side code attract publicity it craves with a World Cup, which saw England lose to history-making Samoa in the men’s semi-final but its wheelchair side lift the trophy in front of a world record crowd.
But the next 12 months will see clubs told where they rank as media giant IMG’s grading system is given a trial run before coming into effect for 2025 – Grade A recipients are guaranteed a top flight spot.
And Last - part of Shaun Wane’s staff at the World Cup and Castleford assistant to Lee Radford, who has been getting a hero’s welcome in Samoa – believes the time has come for big calls.
He said: “There’s been lots of talk and muttering regarding the IMG proposals and what they might be but what’s really important is to not under-estimate the product we’ve got.
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“It’s a fantastic product and there were some sensational games last year. The Grand Final was a really good one and St Helens made history by being the first team to win four titles in a row.
“But Leeds coming from sixth to get a place in the Grand Final was a great story.
“The product we’ve got is fantastic and hopefully IMG, along with the partners and leaders of each individual club, can make some big, bold, brave decisions to take this game on to the level we need it to be at.”
One of those big, bold, brave calls is his own club’s submission of planning applications that would finally see their Wheldon Road home redeveloped in a £14 million scheme.
As things stand, the Tigers will not be graded A, only four or five clubs will be.
And he believes that getting the go ahead – and spades in the ground – is a giant stride towards putting Cas where they deserve to be.
He added: “2023 promises to be a big year here.
“I’ve seen the pictures and drawings of what the new stadium could look like and how it would galvanise this rugby league club and take it to that next level.
“It’s exciting and something I’m really looking forward to being part of.”
