CUMBRIA'S rugby league clubs have received their first official IMG gradings this week, with Workington Town jumping seven positions to the delight of the club.

All clubs playing in the professional levels of the British rugby league system will be graded, with their rank determining which division each club will play.

The IMG gradings system has 20 points on offer for clubs. In order to be a Grade A club, you need to achieve at least 15 points and to be a Grade B club, you need 7.5 points.

Cumbrian championship side Barrow Raiders rose in the rankings of B graded clubs, and League One's Workington Town are now the highest ranked C grade club with 7.26, a climb of seven positions.

The more detailed assessments sent to clubs show that 20 have increased their score in the finance pillar, and the same number have improved their fandom score, largely driven by progress against the digital standards.

Workington Town have been left delighted with their IMG score. Interim chairman Graeme Peers said: "Obviously it's on the back of a considerable amount of work, targeted work were we knew we could pick up improved points within the capabilities we have.

"We are pleased with our improved score, it has jumped us massively from around the 30th mark, up to 24th which is the best C rated club out there with scope for improvement.

"We are absolutely delighted with the improvements, I think it falls in line with the improvements the club has made over the last 24 months, since we left the championship, so we are very pleased but we keep our foot on the pedal."

Whitehaven RLFC was one of only two rugby league clubs across the country to receive a 'grading incomplete' rating from the IMG - with the club saying it is because data was submitted late by the club. 

In a statement, Whitehaven RLFC said: "The club’s IMG Grading has been marked as grading incomplete. This is because of data being submitted by the club late.

"The club will receive a grading in the coming weeks once the information we have submitted is reviewed."

The club thanked the RFL for their work alongside the club to try and resolve the matter.