Gary Hetherington warns clubs they must do their bit to assist IMG in new RL era

GARY Hetherington has warned Super League clubs that IMG’s involvement will not solve all their problems.

They have to be at the forefront of ambitions, not trail in others’ wake in a ‘new age.’

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The global media giant is ‘re-imagining’ the 13-a-side code, with a less is more attitude to matches and making then most of what it has off the field the main aspects.

As part of that, Super League’s ‘split’ from the Rugby Football League, which saw top flight sides demand more say in commercial decisions, has ended and the new RL Commercial body formed in a re-alignment.

But Leeds chief executive Hetherington, one of the biggest powerbrokers in rugby league, has told clubs they must do some of the work themselves – IMG cannot do everything.

He said: “What’s happened in the game constitutionally over the last 12 months is huge, probably bigger than what’s happened in the last 120-odd years.

“To effectively dissolve Super League and bring the game back together again is very important, then to attract a global leader like IMG to really kick the game on commercially and marketing into a new game is very significant.

“We need all the clubs to do their bit as well. IMG don’t have a magic wand and it’s going to need a terrific effort from them.

“But the opportunity is there to really progress and take advantage of what opportunities unfold.

“The game needs to be confident. We’re in a new age now, so we’ve got to be at the forefront rather than trailing.

“IMG’s involvement in rugby league is very, very significant. It’s ground breaking and there’ll be opportunities for everybody, particularly for the game to really kick on and realise its potential.”

While Hetherington and Super League look forward, today sees them look back to the top flight’s halcyon days, when crowds of more than 20,000 watched the Rhinos play Bradford.

Nowadays, though, the Bulls are part-time playing in the Championship but hopes of a comeback remain.

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Hetherington added to SunSport: “Today’s revisiting old rivalries. It’s an important day for both teams and an opportunity to celebrate them.

“Our ambition at that time was to become as good as the Bulls. It’s sad that rivalry isn’t in Super League any more and everybody misses that.

“Bradford were the forerunners, they took advantage of the move to summer more than anyone else.

“They’ve had a turbulent last decade but they’re confident they can get their future back on track.”