sharkiesfreak
Tiger Shark
Im just watching the replay of the Challenge Cup final between Wigan and Leeds and it got me thinking why dont we have a similar type of competetion. It allows teams that dont usually have a chance of winning a premiership the chance to win some silverwear.
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League.[1] Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part.
The modern Challenge Cup has 7 rounds prior to the final. Teams are seeded, entering at different stages. The precise format has altered slightly from year to year, however the basic format is as follows:
Preliminary Round: Amateur teams from around the United Kingdom will be split into two pools.
First round: Amateur teams from around the United Kingdom. Most of the teams are English and affiliated to BARLA. In 2008 the 54 teams entering at this stage are as follows:
all 38 teams from the National Conference League
the winners of the five major regional BARLA leagues
the British Army
the Royal Navy
the Royal Air Force
the university champions - Leeds Metropolitan University
the Student Rugby League champions
six representatives of the Rugby League Conference (including one each from Scotland and Wales)
Second round: The twenty seven first round winners are joined by a Russian team.
Third round: A further three French sides, and the twenty one semi-professional British clubs from the Rugby League National Leagues enter the draw with the fourteen winners from the second round.
Fourth round: The fourteen Super League teams join the competition with the eighteen third round winners.
Fifth round: Last 16
Quarter Finals: Last eight
Semi Finals: (played at neutral venues)
Final
The final for the challenge cup have brought over 60,000 people each year to the final at Wembley stadium which would create even more money for the league.
Could this work in Australia and allow teams from all over Australia and even Oceania the chance to win a trophy and bring more $$$$ to the game?
The Challenge Cup is a knockout cup competition for rugby league clubs organised by the Rugby Football League.[1] Originally it was contested only by British teams but in recent years has been expanded to allow teams from France and Russia to take part.
The modern Challenge Cup has 7 rounds prior to the final. Teams are seeded, entering at different stages. The precise format has altered slightly from year to year, however the basic format is as follows:
Preliminary Round: Amateur teams from around the United Kingdom will be split into two pools.
First round: Amateur teams from around the United Kingdom. Most of the teams are English and affiliated to BARLA. In 2008 the 54 teams entering at this stage are as follows:
all 38 teams from the National Conference League
the winners of the five major regional BARLA leagues
the British Army
the Royal Navy
the Royal Air Force
the university champions - Leeds Metropolitan University
the Student Rugby League champions
six representatives of the Rugby League Conference (including one each from Scotland and Wales)
Second round: The twenty seven first round winners are joined by a Russian team.
Third round: A further three French sides, and the twenty one semi-professional British clubs from the Rugby League National Leagues enter the draw with the fourteen winners from the second round.
Fourth round: The fourteen Super League teams join the competition with the eighteen third round winners.
Fifth round: Last 16
Quarter Finals: Last eight
Semi Finals: (played at neutral venues)
Final
The final for the challenge cup have brought over 60,000 people each year to the final at Wembley stadium which would create even more money for the league.
Could this work in Australia and allow teams from all over Australia and even Oceania the chance to win a trophy and bring more $$$$ to the game?
