Newcastle Thunder: Relegated Championship rugby league team pull out of 2024 season
- Published
Newcastle Thunder finished bottom of the Championship this season having won five of 27 league games
Newcastle Thunder have pulled out of the 2024 season and say it is "not feasible to continue" after their relegation from the Championship.
The north-east side finished bottom of rugby league's second tier and were due to play in League One next season.
A statement from the club said they had decided not to participate.
"Growing rugby league in the north east was an incredible journey, and we are all devastated that it did not work out," the club said., external
"Unfortunately, the impact of Covid-19, combined with the low levels of regional growth and development in the game, means it just isn't feasible to continue."
The club, which rebranded from Gateshead Thunder to Newcastle Thunder in 2015 and is under the ownership of the Newcastle Falcons rugby union team, said it would fulfil all player and staff contracts.
In a statement, the Falcons said: "The decision that Newcastle Thunder will not compete in League One has no effect on Newcastle Rugby Ltd and our rugby union team, Newcastle Falcons.
"We remain committed to being here for years to come and are continuing to push ahead with exciting plans for both this season and those to come."
RFL to hold a meeting with League One clubs
Newcastle Thunder's exit comes after London Skolars also pulled out of competing in League One, external next season, while the RFL said a meeting has now been arranged "for League One clubs to consider the impact of Newcastle's withdrawal".
"The RFL recognises that this decision will also come as a blow to the community game in the north east, and the many positive elements of Newcastle's Foundation, including Women's and Learning Disability teams," the RFL statement said.
"We will work with everybody impacted and do all we can to maintain this development."
The news is a blow for rugby league in the north east and comes 12 months after Newcastle United's St James' Park hosted the opening game of the 2021 Rugby League World Cup.
"We would like to thank our devoted fans, whose loyalty has been an incredible source of motivation over time," the Thunder statement added.
"This was not the decision we wanted to make, and we remain hopeful that we can find a new home for the team."