London Broncos to become a part time club

Championship side London Broncos will become a part-time club from the 2022 season onwards, as they prepare for a reduced central funding distribution.

Broncos had been running as a full-time operation despite relegation from Super League in 2019.

The club parted company with coach Danny Ward this season as hopes of a top-flight return did not materialise.

Super League's reduced television deal has meant a smaller drip-down sum of money for the lower divisions to share.

From what had previously been a total of £40m divided between Super League and then a chunk filtered down, from 2022 it is believed to be closer to £25-30m.

From that, Super League interim chairman Ken Davy says about £5m will be handed to the Rugby Football League, who will filter the funds through to Championship and League One clubs.

In a statement, Broncos said: "Financially, the club will be receiving a vastly reduced central distribution in 2022 and we have had to make changes to offset this reduction which has led to the decision that has been taken by the club.

"The London Broncos will increase the level of financial input into our highly successful Academy and Scholarship programme as well as work with the Community game in London and the South East to continue to develop professional rugby league players as we take the opportunity to restructure the club ahead of our planned move to Plough Lane in 2022.

"Off the field a huge amount of work is being undertaken in several areas to ensure that rugby league in London continues to thrive and that the Broncos are able to return stronger for a promotion push in seasons to come with a squad littered with home grown players and a solid supporter base in our new home."