115 replies to this topic

[tim2]

OK, clubs scheduled for a meeting tomorrow.

Who's up to guess the likely runners and riders at the starting gate next March/April?

Come on bowes, you know you want to....

[bowes]

Okay then I'll have some kind of go.

IMO:

Definites:
Bristol
Nottingham
Northampton
St Albans
Eastern Rhinos

Probables:
London Skolars A
Hemel A
Leicester
Sheffield Hallam (if geographically permissable)

Possibles:
South Wales Hornets
University of Gloucestershire All Golds A
Hammersmith Hillshoists

[del capo]

Not at all bad Bowes !

I believe the meeting tomorrow is a presentation by the RFL to clubs who have expressed a real interest in being involved

You may have named just one too many clubs , that's all.............

[Marauder]

Will they be playing a full season?

[del capo]

Will they be playing a full season?

If the eleven go for it then yes , 20 league games plus Conference Cup and (probably ) qualifying round (s) of the Challenge Cup during 2013.

[bowes]

I'm going to guess at Hammersmith being the ones not in? 11 teams is a good league though.

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

Lets see what tomorrow brings. This is probably as significant a development as the launch of the summer conference 17 seasons ago.

[MidlandsRugbyLeague]

VERY positive meeting today, some good themes discussed around season calendar, governance and minimum standards. Clubs now have until 30th November to present their case to the RFL for membership.

[EdinburghExile]

Nice one

[bowes]

Which direction do people think the midlands and south tier 4 leagues should go?

I think with the creation of the Conference South they should look at making it one level as localised as possible. But would perhaps be harsh on the likes of Birmingham and South London?

[tim2]

Which direction do people think the midlands and south tier 4 leagues should go?
9
I think with the creation of the Conference South they should look at making it one level as localised as possible. But would perhaps be harsh on the likes of Birmingham and South London?

Can't speak for London but it's Birmingham's own responsibility to get their house in order to become a club that can produce a good strong team reliably over a long season rather than a team of variable quality in the RU off season. We can't build structures around the needs of one club. That goes for all clubs, including my own.

[Number 16]

The south London area is a million miles from returning to this kind of level. RL-wise there's heaps of uncertainty with rumours of a Storm/Sharks tie-in, the new club in Beckenham and a probable new Croydon club at Storm's old landlords, Streatham-Croydon RFC ( ).

[bowes]

Can't speak for London but it's Birmingham's own responsibility to get their house in order to become a club that can produce a good strong team reliably over a long season rather than a team of variable quality in the RU off season. We can't build structures around the needs of one club. That goes for all clubs, including my own.

On balance I agree. Realistically Midlands Rugby League has enough clubs for 2 divisions so it's just a debate between whether they are west and east or premier and division 1. I tend towards the former.

[bowes]

The south London area is a million miles from returning to this kind of level. RL-wise there's heaps of uncertainty with rumours of a Storm/Sharks tie-in, the new club in Beckenham and a probable new Croydon club at Storm's old landlords, Streatham-Croydon RFC ( ).

Also east London has several clubs in the merit league who may step up to a London division (if it were split from south east), though the same point I made above with regards to how to split the midlands divisions could be applied to London and South East.

The sticking point is if Hammersmith aren't a part of the Conference South as there's no way Greenwich or Barking and Dagenham say could play them. But this is a return to Tim's point about not basing it round one club.

Edited by bowes, 18 November 2012 - 04:32 PM.

[Pottsy]

The south London area is a million miles from returning to this kind of level. RL-wise there's heaps of uncertainty with rumours of a Storm/Sharks tie-in, the new club in Beckenham and a probable new Croydon club at Storm's old landlords, Streatham-Croydon RFC ( ).

What you up to this time Mr Harker???

[bowes]

One issue I just thought of is will this affect the Community Shield format as this year there were 10 teams from the south but realistically once you've created Conference South there are very few tier 4 midlands or south teams you could safely send to play Fryston or Bank Quay.

[Northern Sol]

Does Conference South have to be tier 3?

Surely the playing standards would be more like tier 4?

[Marauder]

Does Conference South have to be tier 3?

Surely the playing standards would be more like tier 4?

One issue I just thought of is will this affect the Community Shield format as this year there were 10 teams from the south but realistically once you've created Conference South there are very few tier 4 midlands or south teams you could safely send to play Fryston or Bank Quay.

Don't think there is many tier 3 sides who would be safe either.

[Marauder]

Does Conference South have to be tier 3?

Surely the playing standards would be more like tier 4?

Is it a case of the quality of the packaging or the quality of the product.

[Methven Hornet]

Lets see what tomorrow brings. This is probably as significant a development as the launch of the summer conference 17 seasons ago.

Easily as significant, probably more so. I just hope the league sets a high standard - as the Summer Conference did all those years ago -and sticks to it.