St Ives Roosters Rugby League Club

Dear Chairman

As you are no doubt aware, the BBC is being asked to make significant cuts to its budget and one of the areas being targeted is local radio. The RFL are concerned that if the proposed cuts to these services go ahead, it will have a devastating effect on the coverage of Rugby League, particularly in the reporting of individual clubs.

To a large extent, Rugby League has been well served by local radio stations over the years and it is particularly vital at this point in time given the upheavals in the print media which have resulted in coverage of the sport being squeezed.

The consequences if these proposals are successful will be:

• Midweek Rugby League magazine programmes will disappear as they generally are broadcast between 7:00 and 10:00 in the evening. This will mean that your ability to interact with fans, promote the club and increase the profile of your players in the community will be diminished.
• The opportunity to have your opinion heard on local radio will be severely limited
• Any in-depth discussion about sport locally will be non-existent.
• Live commentary will be affected because there will be a reduction in the number of commentators at games making it likely that there will be no local flavour to the commentary of your club’s games
• There may be a reduction in the number of matches covered if there are numerous games on the same evening or afternoon.
• The removal of the Medium Wave transmission will mean that only one event will be broadcast at one time. For example, if there is a Premier League football game and a Super League game at the same time then the station will not be able, as they currently can, to broadcast one on FM and the other on medium wave.
• It is estimated that if these cuts are implemented, up to 95% of BBC London sports output could disappear.
Local radio coverage is not only important for the profile of Rugby League but it is vital for clubs who are looking to raise their own profile, engage with sponsors and supporters and fulfil their role as a vital part of the community.

The BBC Trust is asking for feedback on their proposals. We must act now or else this vital resource could be lost forever.

The RFL and the All Party Parliamentary Group are doing all they can to lobby the Trust but you can play a key role. History has shown that the BBC can and does respond when dissatisfaction reaches significant levels. To that end, I would urge that you register your concerns at the proposals as they currently exist at:

Local Radio Review
BBC Trust
180 Great Portland Street
London W1W 5QZ
local.radio.review@bbc.co.uk

A text version of the Consultation Document is available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/regulatory_framework/service_licences/service_reviews/local_radio/bbc_local_radio_consultation.txt

Alternatively, if you require any further information on this issue, please contact the RFL’s Communications Manager, John Ledger, on 0113 237 5049

Yours sincerely



Nigel Wood
Chief Executive Officer

Tel: +44 (0) 113 237 5028
Email: nigel.wood@rfl.uk.com