Ken Davy: A Year of Excitement and Growth Ahead

31 Dec 2021

Ken Davy: A Year of Excitement and Growth Ahead

Super League, its clubs, along with the sport of Rugby League and its supporters, have a host of reasons to enter the new year with an increased sense of optimism. I believe that 2022 is going to be the catalyst for the growth and success of our great game. The challenges of the last two years have been significant, but we look to the future with confidence and enthusiasm. At this point I’d like to give thanks and gratitude once again to all NHS and key workers for their continued efforts.

The discussions between Super League and the RFL, whilst by no means completed, still offer the exciting prospect of a reunification of the whole of our sport within the coming months. Reunification will create an added impetus for the benefit of every aspect of our game, and a host of opportunities at every level, with the Betfred Super League as its pinnacle.

2022 is the start of Super League’s new primary broadcast agreement with our long-standing partner Sky Sports, which includes some fantastic opportunities for us to attract new audiences to our sport. This includes the ability for games to be streamed direct to supporters and a selection of live matches on free-to-air television.

We were delighted to be able to announce Channel 4 as our free-to-air partner. This means that for the first time in the competition's 27-year history, it will be possible for everyone in the UK to watch 10 live Betfred Super League games. Whether you live in Cornwall or Cumbria, Brighton or Bridlington, live Super League matches will be available to you.

I would particularly like to thank our commercial partners Betfred, Northern, Batchelors and Loch Lomond for their continued support. With their recent renewal, Betfred will be our longest running title partner and continue to be a valuable and supportive partner.

We have an incredible Rugby League World Cup on home soil to look forward to, when 21 nations will battle for the sports top honour – to be crowned World Champions. The most inclusive World Cup ever will be played in England and will feature the best Rugby League players from across the world. All 61 matches from the men’s, women’s and wheelchair tournaments will be shown on BBC channels. We hope all three England teams will be successful!

The coming year will not be without its challenges; however, I am delighted to say that my optimism for Super League’s future is shared by myself and every one of our 12 clubs. Our focus is to rise above the ongoing issues of Covid-19, and support our incredible athletes, as they provide the raw excitement of Super League, which we and all our supporters, want to see.

We all know that nothing beats the enjoyment of ‘being at a match’ and I know that in 2022, every Super League club, and every player, is going to be determined to deliver that excitement and entertainment to fans at every game. The mouth-watering prospect of the new Betfred Super League season is now only six weeks away, and I look forward to sharing in its success with you all.

Ken Davy

Interim Chairman of Super League