"We have had a good number of applications and we are drawing up a shortlist this week. "Explained Centurions Chief Executive, Allan Rowley. " We will then conclude our interviews and deliberations and expect to be ready to make an announcement by the end of next week."
No new names have come into the frame since last week's revelation about the pairing of Aussie legend Artie Beetson and the controversial former Leigh player John Elias. However Ian Millward has reportedly ruled himself out as he seems set to take up an assistant head coaching role at Canberra Raiders in the NRL.
Meanwhile the Centurions application for a Super League licence is being considered along with the 18 other applicants for an announcement that will be made in July of this year. But the man heading up the RFL's Bid Assessment Team, Rod Findlay has been setting straight a few misconceptions about how the meeting of the Licence criteria will be assessed.
" We will judge the 19 applicants on four specific areas." Stated Rod, " Facilities, finance, playing strengths and marketing/commercial business plans.
" There will be no particular weighting to any one of those four criteria, but all will be equally important. We will have checks run on all the proposals to ensure that what the clubs are proposing are viable, workable and sustainable.
" Playing strengths will not be just about their first teams, but also about what structure they have below that and their potential for development.
" Finance we will be looking for a minimum turnover of £2m for existing Super League clubs, but appreciate that in the case of National One clubs, that would be significantly less and therefore a £1m threshold is set for them.
" And with regard to facilities, it is obvious that clubs who already have their stadiums in place, built or about to be opened are in a far stronger position than clubs that are presently still going through the planning stages."
And that will certainly please Leigh who are set to take over their stadium later this year. But one area of confusion that Rod wanted to clear yup was regarding the SKY TV assessment of club's suitability using the Ten-Point plan, presented by the excellent Angela Powers.
" The minimum standards are of course still there and to be applied. " stated Rod, " But to broadly categorise these clubs through a 10-point charter, is slightly misleading. These points are pertinent but only as a part of the overall assessment. Yes it is pertinent that there are so many disabled toilets, seating etc, but it does not take into account the effectiveness or indeed viability of the Business Plan, and we , will have that assessed by the very experienced and well respected KPMG, who are independent financial analysts."
Super League did have an aim to expand geographically, but such an expansion through an invitation into Super League would be dependent on all other criteria being met.
" We will endeavour to be open, fair and independent in our assessments." Added Rod. " And once the decision have been made we will give the clubs and the fans feedback on why the selections have been made, and why some clubs will have missed out."
And if clubs do miss out this time, the process for a new set of licences to be granted in 2012 will begin almost immediately. Leigh will be hoping that they make it first time!

End