21 replies to this topic

[Gav]

This seems to have slipped under Bowes' radar:

http://rlglobalnews....t-track-to-glor

[tim2]

This seems to have slipped under Bowes' radar:

http://rlglobalnews....t-track-to-glor

He already knew all of this back in December

[bowes]

Makes you wonder why it's kept so late if most of this was known in February (unlike previous years I didn't actually know it by December).

Does anyone know if the full version of this is available as it cuts out part way down? I notice it says there's 10 teams in the NW merit league but I thought we were getting loads?

[Silvia Saint]

There are definitely more than 10 in the North West Merit League.

[bowes]

There are definitely more than 10 in the North West Merit League.

It also appears to have got the Welsh Premier lineup wrong and the size of the Yorkshire Merit League wrong

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

Ahh Bowes, you're definitely a RL fan - find the negatives.... a 250% increase in womens teams, total summer adult teams surpassing the 200 team barrier..

Here's the Midlands version of events:

The Co-operative Rugby League Conference XIV, launched today at Donnington Park with around 190 teams on the fast track to glory.

Formed in 1998 with 14 clubs, the competition is the largest and fastest growing in Rugby League worldwide, encompassing England, Scotland and Wales, three tiers, both sexes and merit leagues for aspiring clubs. Last year a total of 168 clubs were on the starting grid.

For 2011, 115 teams from 110 clubs will contest the RLC, with 10 in Co-operative Rugby League Conference National, 50 in RLC Premier across eight divisions and 55 in RLC Regional which will have nine divisions.

RLC Women's has taken a huge step forward for the 2011 season, with 28 teams signed up to take part, making it now the largest women's Rugby League competition in the world.

So far, at Merit League level, underpinning the RLC, the four regional competitions will see 12 clubs drawn from Yorkshire, 10 in the North West, 13 covering the Midlands and 10 in London and the South East although late entrants are still being accommodated.

CO-OPERATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE NATIONAL, the elite division of the summer community game and the level below the Championship, will have two new sides in 2011 which will see the competition truly live up to its name.

Current Champions Warrington Wizards - who defeated Huddersfield Underbank Rangers 23-18 in a thrilling Grand Final at the Halliwell Jones Stadium last September - will face stiff challenges from Coventry Bears and Welsh Conference champions Valley Cougars.

Dan Steel, RFL Regional Manager for London & the South East, who is the competition's lead officer commented, "The Conference pyramid is getting stronger by the season as the competition as a whole continues to go from strength to strength. Each of the newcomers knows exactly what to expect from stepping up a level and, after a rigorous vetting process, have had their excellent applications accepted."

"Last season was rated by many as the best ever on the field," he continued, "and the management group are confident that the inclusion of the duo will maintain that. These continue to be exciting times for the Co-operative Rugby League Conference."

It is not quite a voyage into the unknown for the incomers. When the competition was known as National League Three, before the advent of Conference Premier Divisions, COVENTRY BEARS tasted glory in what was their finest hour, taking the title in 2004.

They are hoping to emulate that success by renewing their association with Coventry RFC which will see the Bears returning to play their home fixtures at the Butts Park Arena, the site of the original Coventry Northern Union side that played prior to the First World War.

Harry Jepson Trophy runners-up for the past two seasons, the Midlands champions see their return to the national stage as an opportunity to once again showcase rugby league to the many oval ball fans in Coventry and the West Midlands.

Head Coach Alan Robinson said, "Playing at The Butts Arena will offer a new, high profile game day experience while also helping us attract new sponsors and players. It is a move which shows that both codes of rugby can work together. Returning to The Butts is a really exciting prospect for everyone involved in the club."

CO-OPERATIVE RLC WOMEN sees expansion come on the back of increased investment by the RFL in development staff which has seen the birth of a number of new clubs particularly in the North West of England where seven - Leigh East, Leigh Miners Rangers, Macclesfield, Crossfields, Mancunians RL, West Craven Warriors and Widnes Moorfield Angels - have come into existence.

The new campaign will also see the inclusion of the three armed services - The Army, Royal Air Force and Royal Navy. Playing in the South of England group, the RLC will provide competitive opposition against community clubs for serving females for the first time in Rugby League's history and regular fixtures ahead of the annual inter-services competition in the autumn.

In line with the expansion brief of the RLC, the women's competition is reaching across the UK, with teams included from six of the nine English sporting regions. Teams from the Midlands will compete in the South Group as follows:

South
West London Sharks
Nottingham Outlaws
Coventry Bears
Royal Air Force
Royal Navy
The Army


In a new innovation in CO-OPERATIVE RUGBY LEAGUE CONFERENCE PREMIER and REGIONAL, the first six weeks of Midlands competition will be a grading phase with a split coming at the half way stage of the campaign.

All Premier and Regional champions will progress to the quarter finals of the national play offs with the exception of the Scottish Regional winners.

In the Premier, Yorkshire, like the Midlands, will have East and West divisions and there will be a new West of England Regional competition.
While Whilst the avowed aim of the RLC from its inception has been participation, the number of players coming through into the professional ranks - and reaching international standard - allied with an ever increasing schools and junior programme, has started to achieve a genuine 'widening of the talent pool' which England Head Coach Steve McNamara is keen to recognise.

"It gives me great pleasure to see the progress that the sport has made," he said. "It is testament to the hard work put in over the past couple of decades by countless volunteers and everyone who has played a part in establishing rugby league as a national game should be immensely proud of their achievements. Such expansion and the increase of players coming into our game not only increases the profile and standing of the sport but raises playing standards across the board and giving coaches, including myself, more quality players to choose from for the top levels of the sport."

In all there are 26 new clubs - from Aberdeen to Sudbury, Rhondda to Medway and Wiltshire to Leyland.

The Midlands will initially line up as follows:

Midlands East
Northampton Demons
Leicester Storm
Nottingham Outlaws "A"
Birmingham Bulldogs "A"

Midlands West
Birmingham Bulldogs
Bristol Sonics
Leamington Royals
Telford Raiders


Liz Matkin, The Co-operative's Head of Sponsorship, said, "We're delighted that The Co-operative Conference is getting is stronger both in the women's and men's competition. The Co-operative is committed to grassroots rugby and fully supports the continued growth of the sport in the heart of communities across the UK. Best of luck to all teams taking part this season."

Edited by MidlandsRugbyLeague, 05 April 2011 - 02:21 PM.

[bowes]

Definitely good news and looks to be more teams going to a summer season. Next season that 200 should be at least 300, though I wouldn't rule out even higher

With regards to the women is the expansion due to the winter league switching to summer and merging in or is it pure expansion?

[bowes]

Can you now confirm how the fixture format works in midlands please?

[Gav]

Can you now confirm how the fixture format works in midlands please?

Each team to play the others in their division twice, 6 games
Top 2 East & Top 2 West combine (Premier), Bottom 2 East & Bottom 2 West combine (Regional)
Each Team to play the others in their group twice, 6 games
Top 3 play-offs in each group, following the usual format

[bowes]

Each team to play the others in their division twice, 6 games
Top 2 East & Top 2 West combine (Premier), Bottom 2 East & Bottom 2 West combine (Regional)
Each Team to play the others in their group twice, 6 games
Top 3 play-offs in each group, following the usual format

Thanks. That's what I originally thought but looked a lot more complicated than that on your website.

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

Thats not righ, Gav.

It is:

Two Groups of four: Midlands East / Midlands West.
Each group plays all teams in group home and away = 6 games
2x Random Cross Group games (one home / one away) = 2 games
Midlands Magic 18th June 2011 (random draw) = 1 game

= 9 games in qualifying phase


Top 2 in each group go into extended premier play-offs
Bottom 2 in each group go into extended regional play-offs

In both instances, each team plays the two teams in their opposite group home and away = 4 games

Finals for both competitions will be the top two in the play-off group.

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

With regards to the women is the expansion due to the winter league switching to summer and merging in or is it pure expansion?

Some teams coming accross from Winter, but a large number of new clubs plus of course the three services teams.

[bowes]

Would I be right in thinking they'll avoid Birmingham-Birmingham A in the cross division fixtures? Do first round results carry over to the playoffs?

[bowes]

Midlands Magic's a nice idea though

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

Would I be right in thinking they'll avoid Birmingham-Birmingham A in the cross division fixtures? Do first round results carry over to the playoffs?

Who's they?

Birmingham will not play Birmingham A

A new table will be created for the play-off stage.

Midlands Magic's a nice idea though

Its an excellent idea and more details will follow!

[bowes]

Who's they?

Birmingham will not play Birmingham A

A new table will be created for the play-off stage.



Its an excellent idea and more details will follow!

I was speaking in generalities but guess it's whoever does the fixtures so at a guess you and/or David Lowe

Seen the fixtures since I posted that of course.

[Stag Fan]

Midlands Magic's a nice idea though

I understand all areas are having a magic weekend not just the midlands. Its something dreamed up for the RLC as a whoile. So no hijacking

[bowes]

I understand all areas are having a magic weekend not just the midlands. Its something dreamed up for the RLC as a whoile. So no hijacking

I know the midlands and south premiers are, I didn't know about the other regions but interesting

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

I understand all areas are having a magic weekend not just the midlands. Its something dreamed up for the RLC as a whoile. So no hijacking

I can definitely say that the idea to do it in the RLC was decided upon in the Midlands and the London have followed suit on the same day which is excellent. Nicely linked up to Coventry v Nottingham in the RLCN with us at the request of, er, myself. As far as i'm aware, we're the only two regions taking the plunge.

Of course its all hijacking really, since the first Magic weekend took place in Cardiff five years ago....!!

[Stag Fan]

I can definitely say that the idea to do it in the RLC was decided upon in the Midlands and the London have followed suit on the same day which is excellent. Nicely linked up to Coventry v Nottingham in the RLCN with us at the request of, er, myself. As far as i'm aware, we're the only two regions taking the plunge.

Of course its all hijacking really, since the first Magic weekend took place in Cardiff five years ago....!!

In that case I will take the accolade of having a double header at Wembley for the world cup at a greatley reduced tickets rates. For it was me who suggested to them to have it at wembley and charge a tenner for a ticket and kids for a fiver to fill the place. ( even though they didnt listen to me about the tenner bit)