30 Questions for Ralph Rimmer

This week, RFL Chief Executive Ralph Rimmer ended his three-month, self-imposed exile from the media. He gave a media briefing last week and will join the BBC’s rugby league podcast this week.

Fans have been submitted to ask questions to Mr Rimmer. Here are 30 questions that I would like to ask.

1. Who decided the appointees to the recently announced Strategic Working Group?

2. Why does it include no representatives from the lower leagues, wheelchair or women's game?

3. Without such representation, how can this group claim to represent the whole sport?

4. What are the groups aims and by what targets should its success or otherwise be measured?

5. In a television interview in May 2021, Mr Rimmer stated that "The RFL never acts in isolation or without consultation". Chairs and Chief Executives of professional clubs have publicly stated that they were not consulted over the creation of this group. Does Mr Rimmer stand by his May 2021 quote? Is it true that not all professional clubs were consulted? If so, why?

6. On what basis does Mr Rimmer consider that the sport is ‘politically strong’, as per his comments last Friday?

7. Former Great Britain coach Brian Noble has recently said: “I think the behaviour of some of the governance and our administration is akin to being shameful. It’s a strong word to use and it’s time for something like a benign dictatorship or autocratic democracy”. How does Mr Rimmer respond to such accusations?

8. The RFL strategy 2015-2021 document (as amended per the 2019 'mid-term' review) stated the RFL's aims as having: more players, more spectators, more viewers, England winning, financial sustainability and excellent governance. Does Mr Rimmer believe these aims have been met?

9. This document stated that the RFL would 'revive' the Challenge Cup. As little change appears to have been made, and Cup final crowds declining, does Mr Rimmer believe that the competition has been 'revived'? If so, how?

10. The RFL aimed to grow the Challenge Cup by 2021. Does Mr Rimmer believe that this target has been met?

11. The RFL aimed to have an attendance of 75,000 for the 2019 Challenge Cup Final. The announced crowd was 63,000. Why did this crowd fall 12,000 short? Did the RFL budget for a 75,000 crowd?

12. Mr Rimmer told Sky Sports in May 2021 that he was confident in the outcome of the academy license review "because of the quality of the process which was adhered to throughout".  Does Mr Rimmer maintain that the process was of sufficient quality? If so, why was the outcome changed?

13. In the same interview, Mr Rimmer confirmed that the clubs stripped of their academy licenses had the right to appeal to Sporting Resolution. Did any clubs initiate this process? If so, did the RFL seek legal advice as to its position and did that advice support the RFL's actions or advise that it would likely succeed at a Sporting Resolution tribunal?

14. In this interview, Terry O' Connor told an anecdote of children crying due to the RFL's decision to rescind academy licenses. Mr Rimmer stated in response that "we're getting kids crying when that dream is dashed from them anyway". Some felt that response lacked empathy, does Mr Rimmer regret those remarks?

15. Rochdale chairman Andy Mazey has stated that the club faces a 78% cut in central funding in 2022. How does Mr Rimmer expect clubs like Rochdale to survive and thrive in the face of such severe cuts? What action are the RFL taking to support clubs like Rochdale?

16. Northampton Town FC planned to launch a rugby league team in 2011. Upon this announcement, Mr Rimmer stated: "There is great potential here and the club is based on solid foundations". The club never played a game. On what basis did the RFL conclude that the club was based on solid foundations?

17. In May 2012, Mr Rimmer said of 9's "Rugby League 9s is a fast and action-packed tournament which provides high quality entertainment for everyone". Does Mr Rimmer stand by this statement? If so, why are there so few 9's competitions held in the UK and why was this form of the game not mention in the RFL's latest strategy document?

18. In 2018, Mr Rimmer stated that "We are guilty at times of making too many changes in the sport". In that case, why are we considering changing structures once again?

19. In January 2018, Mr Rimmer stated that: "Cumbria is an important part of our jigsaw and we need to find a way of developing it." What actions have the RFL taken since then to develop the sport in Cumbria?

20. Why did the RFL not agree to independent investigation into an alleged conflict of interest surrounding the purchase of Odsal and the subsequent appointment of Nigel Wood's friend, Andrew Chalmers, to run the club?

21. Why was Mark Sawyer permitted to have a financial interest in both Dewsbury Rams and Bradford Bulls at the same time?

22. In 2016, former referees George Stokes and Matt Thomason accused the RFL of being 'the least professional organisation in the world' and alleged bullying and homophobic taunting of one referee. Stokes alleges that he reported this to Mr Rimmer. Is this accurate? If so, was this investigated and what were the outcomes of the investigation?

23. Why is there such a high turnover of staff in the RFL's referring department?

24. Three months ago, allegations were made of homophobic abuse at Bradford's match against Newcastle. What is the status of the RFL's investigations?

25. Last month, Mikolaj Oledzki alleged racist abuse from fans at Leeds' match against Warrington. What is the status of the RFL's investigations?

26. Are the above investigations, in your opinion, being conducted in a timely manner?

27. In 2013, Nigel Wood stated that "it is almost inconceivable to consider yourself a national sport without having a strong presence in the capital". Does Mr Rimmer agree? If so, as London Broncos are going part time in 2022, does Mr Rimmer believe that rugby league can still consider itself a national sport?

28. Why were Bradford granted special dispensation to play on a pitch that fell below minimum standards. Who made this decision? Was player safety compromised as a result of this decision?

29. When does the RFL expect to decide whether Ottawa Aces will participate in the 2022 League 1 season?

30. Did Ottawa receive central funding in 2021 and is it due to receive central funding in 2022? If so, is central funding contingent upon playing in League 1?

Are there any questions that you think that we have missed? Let us know in the comments on on Twitter!