The RFL in partnership and consultation with the member clubs have agreed an improved system of governance for the engage Super League competition.

The system results from changes to the articles of Association of Super League (Europe) Limited, the company which acts as the League's umbrella body and holds its broadcast, marketing and commercial rights.

The changes ‚- which have been jointly developed by the RFL and the member clubs - have been under discussion since last season and were agreed by a vote at a recent meeting.

The system is a significant improvement and will mean that day-to-day competition management decisions are streamlined and conflicts of interest are avoided.

It also clarifies the relationship between the RFL and Super League (Europe) Limited, establishes the membership rights and obligations of clubs and defines executive responsibilities.

Specifically, the new system confirms that the member clubs have autonomous control over the competition's title sponsorship, primary broadcasting rights, playing format and number of playing rounds.

The system also reaffirms that the RFL has autonomous control over the competition's membership criteria, the operational rules, disciplinary rules, prosecution and tribunals, the playing rules, Match Officials and the fixture list.

Significantly, the RFL and the member clubs will jointly control the number of clubs to play in engage Super League in any one season and the competition's Salary Cap Regulations.  Amendments to these areas cannot be made if the other party offers a veto.

Commenting on the development, the RFL's Executive Chairman Richard Lewis said: ‚"This system of governance for engage Super League is a tremendous development and is the result of highly productive, cooperative and progressive work between the RFL and the member clubs that has been undertaken for well over a year.

‚"We have been consulting closely with clubs over this period and these changes to the Articles of Association are the outcome of this‚".

The RFL's Chief Operating Officer Nigel Wood added: ‚"The aim to put in place this improved system of governance began when the sport became unified and means that the engage Super League competition can be administered in a manner which ensures that the sport of Rugby League is protected‚".

 ‚"The RFL and engage Super League clubs can now continue to work together to ensure the positive trends shown by the competition in recent seasons continue and are built upon‚".