Hull KR hope 'one per centers' add up to deliver impressive IMG score
Hull Kingston Rovers will announce their IMG score on Wednesday, aiming to kick on after being awarded grade A in the indicative ratings.
They were one of seven Super League clubs to reach that top grade, which requires a score of 15 points out of a maximum 20, and guarantees a top-flight place. The others were Leeds Rhinos, Wigan Warriors, St Helens, Catalans Dragons, Warrington Wolves and Hull FC.
Rovers' on-pitch performance this season added with record-breaking attendance for them, and ground developments, all help them as they - like all professional clubs - are judged on key pillars of fandom, finance, stadium, performance, and community. On the pitch especially, they will be significantly helped by finishing second in the Super League, with recent performance taken into consideration.
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There are some areas that cannot be improved - for example, Rovers cannot change their catchment area. But the club has been working on things that can be affected such as match attendances, finances and digital engagements, to record the best points score possible. It can be hoped that focusing on "one per centers" can add up to deliver an overall impressive outcome.
For a club such as Rovers, who have already been at Grade A level, the IMG scoring can be viewed as like having an external audit of the business, something to be used constructively. Viewed as a full club effort, because everything is graded from the community aspect to on-field and off-field performance, all the areas of the business are working in tandem to reach the best score possible. If on-field efforts are not working then there are off-field areas that can suffer; and if off-field efforts are not working then there are on-field efforts that can suffer.
The process itself involves submission of a data capture form - with information, such as financial figures and social media engagements - being placed on one spreadsheet. On top of that spreadsheet, the requirement is to then supply reams of evidence and supplementary documentation, such as ground safety certificate and data from Ticketmaster. All this is required to ensure clubs are not manipulating information - and there is an independent auditor, independent from clubs and Super League, that is involved in the process.
The process being data-driven means that there is removal of opinion; so, rather than impressing IMG, it is about delivering quantifiable data on a spreadsheet. With the criteria being the same for all clubs, and them having the power to make changes to their score with their actions, it can be deemed a fair process.
Rovers, already in a strong position, will hope that their number looks impressive compared to others when scores are announced.
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