2 replies to this topic

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

Midlands Under 18s and Under 16s Fixtures Announced

The 3vSport Midlands Rugby League has taken another stride forward in 2011 with the launch of a new Under 18s league.

The league, which includes six sides from across the region, is designed to ease the transition between junior and adult Rugby League and will sustain participation in the game for approximately 150 players across the Midlands.

The Under 18s representative programme will continue with two Origin games and an intense preparation period for the players involved ahead of them playing for England Community Lions places at the National Carnival in October. Last year three Midlands players made the squad.

Underpinning the Under 18s league is nine team Under 16s team league which continues to thrive in its third year, offering opportunities for almost 250 young men to take part in the game.

"We are delighted to launch the Under 18s league" explains David Butler, Regional Manager. "Rugby League has been identified as a 'drop-off' sport and the launch of this league will allow us to sustain many people's participation in the sport who otherwise might be put off by making the jump to adult Rugby League.

"Fixtures will take place on a Saturday, allowing clubs to build links between their junior and adult sections and the clubs have done a great job of embracing the concept of the league and we are a looking forward to a cracking season ahead."

Both the Under 18s and Under 16s commence on the weekend of 7th/8th May and conclude on the 3vSport Midlands Rugby League Finals day on Sunday 14th August, which also sees the conclusion of the Midlands Merit League.

Full fixtures can be found on the Midlands Rugby League website www.midlandsrugbyleague.co.uk

Under 18s League:
North Derbyshire Chargers
Leicester Storm
Northampton Demons
Telford Raiders
Birmingham Bulldogs
Coventry Bears

Under 16s League:Leicester Storm
Derby City
Nottingham Outlaws
Northampton Knights
Northampton Patriots
Telford Raiders
Birmingham Bulldogs
Coventry Bears
NEW Ravens

[bowes]

Good to see Leicester running juniors now and the Under 18s is a very good addition.

Also there's a 13 team adult's merit league with the table on the website too.

[Pottsy]

Beat news story of the week and well overdue. Great work, Dave.