The Standard of NL1 & NL2

[dubby]

Just wondering what the standards are of the NL1 & NL2 comps are like?
Could you compare it to Premier League, Jim Beam Cup, or more like a Group 20 competition where the Leeton Greenies would win every game?

Also, what sort of crowds (if any) and how viable are these two divisions? Do they attract local interest and sponsership, or rely heavily on grants from the governing body?

I am curious, any info provided would be appreciated.

Its always a habit of mine to check the scores in RLW every week, and yeah, it would be great to know a bit more about the teams, comp etc


Cheers

 

[Weasels Ripped My Flesh]

On crowds: Ive been noticing on forums that teams like Castleford regularly get bigger crowds (usually 6,000-8,000) then some their SuperLeague rivals such as Salford, Widnes and Wakefield.

 

[Evil Homer]

The average for NL1 is about 1500,with Cas getting around 5400.NL2's average is about 800.NL1 is a pretty decent standard,and players often are successful in Super League after coming from it.The lower half of NL2 is about the standard of most Super League sides youth grades.

 

[bartman]

I remember one weekend this season where York (NL2) had a bigger home crowd than the London Broncos (ESL) home game... only just over 3,000 though . I expect Widnes will keep its decent crowd levels even in NL1 next year?

Having seen league in both Australia and the UK, I tend to feel that NL1 is kind of like Premier League in standard, and NL2 kind of like Jim Beam Cup (some good teams, some poor)? NL3, which is amateur teams, is more your Group 20 Leeton Greenies level imo....

The two semi-professional divisions (NL1 & NL2) seem to me very viable as a whole, on the level they currently operate. Local support and sponsorship, merchandise and attendance seem to be the main sources of funds for clubs, with very little if any by way of grants from a governing body at this level. Two clubs (Chorley/Blackpool/Preston? and Oldham) experienced significant financial problems recently, and are trying to get themselves out of that.

As has been said the players can rise out of NL1 and go well in Superleague, and even Hull's Danny Brough came out of NL2 only last year. The difference here being that unlike Oz Premier League players can't rise up a level within the same club during the one season. Instead they tend to get talent spotted by another club, go somewhere else on a loan arrangement, or hope their existing club gains promotion and they travel up a level with it.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

What are the teams involved in NL1? And who do you think will be in the ESL in 2006?

Ive noticed over the years former SL teams like Sheffield, Oldham, Halifax, Salford (who's now back in it) were still running around. I used to think teams were kicked out, before I knew about this comp. Is Gateshead still around. I remember they were coached by Shaun McRae, and only lasted one year.

 

[League Freak™]

Gateshead......the McRae and Richardson Combo did a great job there.


Last years NL1 champions made the jump to SL this season. They shouldnt have bothered. The gap between NL1 and SL is growing.

 

[PARRA_FAN]

Leigh, what a shame they havent won many games. When was the last time a team entered the SL and was relegated after one year.

 

[ash the bash]

i hope Hull KR get promoted next year, i think they came third in the nl1, they are like south sydney version in england with alot of history and pride. also lack of success at present lol.

 

[terracesider]

The Challenge Cup offers a good comparison. Surprises are rare and, for most SL sides, a tie against a lower division side is effectively a bye, although there are exceptions.

NL2 is a disaster for the game in the making. It's a mess. Most of the clubs struggle through from season to season partly by attracting local sponsorship but mainly through the directors getting their hands in their pockets. Little help comoes from the RFL.

Averages don't tell the real story, particlarly since this season they have been skewed by York's success. In fact, gates of 300-400 are not unusual. Many NL2 clubs also have the problem of competing with ESL clubs on the doorstep. It must be questionable how many can survive in the long term.

NL1 is doing much better, at least at the top end where ESL is the prize. But we all know how difficult it is for a promoted club to survive.

 

[Evil Homer]

NL2 isn't that bleak to be honest,I think it's ok.

2006 NL1 teams:

Whitehaven or Cas } loser on sunday will stay in NL1,winner will be promoted to ESL
Leigh
Widnes
Hull KR
Halifax
Doncaster
Rochdale
Oldham
York
Batley or Dewsbury } winner on sunday in NL1,loser in NL2

2006 NL2 teams:

Featherstone
Barrow
Workington
Keighley
Batley or Dewsbury
Sheffield
Gateshead
London Skolars
Blackpool
Hunslet
Swinton
Celtic Crusaders } new expansion team from Wales

 

[terracesider]

NL2 isn't that bleak to be honest,I think it's ok.

It doesn't seeen to be so long since Huddersfield was in the equivalent of NL2, down in the basement of the old seond division. Many great days out but some of the football was grim stuff to watch and I can't see much has changed since then.

The reason I fear a disaster in the making is that of next year's NL2 line up: Blackpool, London and even Gateshead are no more than optimisticaly hanging on in the blind hope of better days. Swinton have been struggling since they sold their ground. Keighley and Hunslet have to yet fully get over being denied entry to ESL.

It's depressing.

 

[Evil Homer]

London and Gateshead are important clubs and are on their way up - Gateshead were involved in the NL2 play offs for the first time this year and London have recently appointed their first full-time coach and have dramatically improved the game in London since they joined in 2003.You can't expect instant success from new teams.There are some dead or dying clubs in there yes,but overall the division is IMO very important for the development of the game nationally.

 

[terracesider]

I agree about its importance Homer, I'm just not very optimistic. Definitely getting cyncical in my old age. :lol: