Northern Championship, National Conference

[Archie Gordon]

Seems we have a Northern Championship that is national and a National Conference that is Northern.

We don't help ourselves.

I think the names of competitions are important for a geographically-challenged sport.

 

[Gav Wilson]

What?

[Archie Gordon]

2 minutes ago, Gav Wilson said:

What?

Our women's second tier, which now contains London and Cardiff, is called the Northern Women's Championship (!).

At the same time, our National Conference League is comprised exclusively of teams from Northern England.

And playing at the same level as the National Conference League, we have something called the Southern Conference League. 

I suggest some new thinking is required. We certainly aren't presenting ourselves in the best way we might.

[Eddie]

22 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

Our women's second tier, which now contains London and Cardiff, is called the Northern Women's Championship (!).

At the same time, our National Conference League is comprised exclusively of teams from Northern England.

And playing at the same level as the National Conference League, we have something called the Southern Conference League. 

I suggest some new thinking is required. We certainly aren't presenting ourselves in the best way we might.

I can understand the NCL as (if I understand it correctly) Southern clubs could apply if they wanted to. However the Northern Women’s Championship is a ridiculous name. 

[sam4731]

Seems ludicrous on 2 fronts. Firstly and most obviously it's not just Northern teams. Also and even more strangely, it's the only championship, there's no southern counterpart, as far as I can tell.

[Gav Wilson]

39 minutes ago, Archie Gordon said:

Our women's second tier, which now contains London and Cardiff, is called the Northern Women's Championship (!).

At the same time, our National Conference League is comprised exclusively of teams from Northern England.

And playing at the same level as the National Conference League, we have something called the Southern Conference League. 

I suggest some new thinking is required. We certainly aren't presenting ourselves in the best way we might.

Ah, I see!

[Barley Mow]

12 minutes ago, sam4731 said:

Seems ludicrous on 2 fronts. Firstly and most obviously it's not just Northern teams. Also and even more strangely, it's the only championship, there's no southern counterpart, as far as I can tell.

This year there was the women's Northern, Southern and Midland Championships.

There were then play-offs including teams from the Northern and Southern (Midlands wasn't considered up to standard for its winners to enter the play-offs).

London and Cardiff did well enough to be considered competitive with teams in the Northern Championship, so will join it for next year. The sensible thing would probably be to change the name at this point - they still might yet.

[Damien]

Nothing stopping southern teams joining the national conference if they can meet all the standards and requirements.

Edited December 13, 2024 by Damien

[newbe]

I remember when Hemel Stags beat Huddersfield Underbank in a NCL 3 final played at Featherstones ground about 10 yrs ago.