National Leagues 2006

[bowes]

They're basically Swinton's reserve side playing out of Darwen. They reached the RLC Premier final so are a decent side, although it's dubious whether they should be in.

They used to be Bolton but they changed name when they relocated their franchise to Darwen this season

 

[terracesider]

Thanks Bowes. I'm sorry to say it sounds to me as if the RFL is desperate to keep NL3 going.

 

[fourplay]

When does NL start again next year ?

Is there u/21's for NL ?

 

[bowes]

The season starts with the Northern Rail Cup about the same time as Super League starts so I guess the actual league starts in April.

There is a NL U21 but not all teams enter, last year only 12 did. On a similar not there's no U18 (due to prohibitive minimum payments and the RFL wanting the NL clubs to focus on U21s and leave U18s to the National Youth League, except SL clubs) but last year Widnes and Leigh entered their U18s with the SL sides.

 

[bowes]

'NL3' line-up (name to be confirmed, probably RLC National)
Bramley Buffaloes
Hemel Stags
Warrington Wizards
Dewsbury Celtic
Huddersfield Underbank Rangers
Gateshead Storm
Featherstone Lions
East Lancashire Lions
Cottingham Phoenix
Leeds Akkies

The last three are new teams, St Albans have dropped down to the RLC Premier South, Bradford Dudley Hill have of course returned to the National Conference League

 

[terracesider]

Interesting. Thanks Bowes.

I suppose we'll have to wait and see how competitive the new teams are.

 

[bartman]

Well, they got ten onboard. All power to them, hope it goes OK.

 

[langpark]

'NL3' line-up (name to be confirmed, probably RLC National)
Bramley
Hemel
Warrington Wizards
Dewsbury Celtic
Huddersfield Underbank Rangers
Gateshead Storm
Featherstone Lions
East Lancashire Lions
Cottingham Phoenix
Leeds Akkies

The last three are new teams, St Albans have dropped down to the RLC Premier South, Bradford Dudley Hill have of course returned to the National Conference League

Wow, good to see that it's 10 teams, altho wat a shame about St Albans and Bradford DH, do they plan on re-joining in a few years?

Also, where are East Lancs based? and where is Cottingham?

 

[bartman]

There's a Cottingham on the outskirts of Hull, and one in the midlands towards Leicester. My bet's on the one near Hull...

I think East Lancashire play out of Darwen over near Blackburn.

 

[bowes]

Yes Cottingham's the one near Hull (based at a former National Conference League club Cottingham Tigers, but this side fromerly played in the RLC as Hull Phoenix before relocating, and have now overtaken their host side, but I believe are the same club now) and East Lancashire are based in Darwen.

Bradford Dudley Hill have no intention of returning as they prefer the NCL (where they will have a higher standard once if as expected move up to Division 1 after this season) due to more guaranteed fixtures and pretty much no forfeits.

St Albans it depends on what happens as the league may become a northern region to the RLC Premier once Hemel (the only non-northern team) move up. The RLC Premier North having folded now 3 of the 4 surviving teams having moved up and the other having re-entered the Regional Divisions (Blackpool Sea Eagles, assuming Widnes Saints have dropped out as they scratched half their fixtures last year despite finishing the season). Either way I very much doubt they'd want 6 hour away trips every other week for a slightly higher standard compared to the RLC Premier South, South London having ruled out a move up for the same reasons.

 

[langpark]

cheers for the info bowes and bartman.

bowes, are you expecting Hemel to move up to NL2? if so when is this likely to happen?

 

[bowes]

They're currently improving their stadium to NL2 criteria. 2008 or 2009 would be my guess with the latter perhaps more realistic.

 

[langpark]

Wow, that's great that they're aiming up and planning ahead, and yes i agree, i reckon 2009, when the entire British RL will get a big shake up. Do they have the playing numbers and juniors etc to support such a move? Also, will Bramley try go up to NL2 also?

 

[Jeffles]

Good news from Hemel and it is not just them. The beauty of NL3 is that it can act as an audition for clubs seeking to go to the professional level. The standard, though improving, is not yet of a class where you could say it is directly below NL2, but many of the clubs are there because they have aspirations of joining the system above. One day we may well see many of the NL3 clubs taking the step up to NL2, so much so that there may be an NL3 where promotion to NL2 could occur. This could be 20 years or more away but the foundations are being laid now. The RFL should stick by this competition.

 

[bowes]

http://forums.rlfans.com/viewtopic.php?t=254684

 

[bowes]

Wow, that's great that they're aiming up and planning ahead, and yes i agree, i reckon 2009, when the entire British RL will get a big shake up. Do they have the playing numbers and juniors etc to support such a move? Also, will Bramley try go up to NL2 also?

Hemel have a decent junior set-up with it being more played than rugby union in local schools and they have a local 4 team junior league at U12s as well as junior sides at U12, U14 and U16. It should improve with a NL2 side in as well. They can easily get two sides (although their 2nds got screwed around by the RLC) and will be able to sign a few good Aussies to strengthen their squad.

Bramley are trying to move up, but they're having trouble getting a suitable ground. They also may move up with Hemel to keep even numbers.

 

[bowes]

Good news from Hemel and it is not just them. The beauty of NL3 is that it can act as an audition for clubs seeking to go to the professional level. The standard, though improving, is not yet of a class where you could say it is directly below NL2, but many of the clubs are there because they have aspirations of joining the system above. One day we may well see many of the NL3 clubs taking the step up to NL2, so much so that there may be an NL3 where promotion to NL2 could occur. This could be 20 years or more away but the foundations are being laid now. The RFL should stick by this competition.

The current format has a big problem that it restricts the growth of southern clubs as the travelling would be prohibitive for them to join while being amateur, so only teams already on the fringe of NL2 can really last in it. I'd like to see regional divisions with a proper season length backing up NL2, although it would also be good to see some more BARLA sides in. The current format could not last 20 years without a serious interest from winter teams which is more difficult with the new name.

 

[langpark]

What's wrong with Bramley's current ground? Surely if it fits 2000 it should get the green light for NL2 IMO, unless they draw Cas or someone in CC or NRC i guess.

Do many teams in England still play in winter?

 

[Jeffles]

Bramley's ground, the photos I have seen, has little in the way of bucket seats and shelter. Most capacity is in hills and standing. Another thing is that it is not their ground. A move to NL2 may demand more use of the ground. Maybe Bramley will look to getting a ground of their own before applying to NL2.

 

[bowes]

Do many teams in England still play in winter?

The vast majority of teams still do.

Besides the three division National Conference League, there is a seven division North Western Counties League, a seven division Pennine League, a four division Yorkshire League, a two division Hull league, a two division Cumberland league and a one division Barrow league (currently solely made up of reserve teams to clubs in the NWCL and NCL) and that's just open age