THE National Conference League continues to contemplate legal action against the Rugby Football League, which plans to restructure the amateur men’s game next spring under the auspices of the National Community Rugby League (NCRL) initiative.
Many member clubs of the NCL, together with the competition’s management, have expressed concern over plans that, although leaving the top two tiers of the competition intact (but as National Leagues and operated by the RFL), will result in teams in the bottom two sections reverting to localised fare in Regional Conferences.
NCL chair Mike Denning recently balloted member clubs regarding possibly going to law against the RFL and, on Saturday, confirmed votes were still arriving.
An injunction against enforced membership of the NCRL therefore remains on the agenda and Denning said: “The very future of some long-established clubs with a great history in the game is being put on the line, particularly in Cumbria.
“Some in Barrow, Whitehaven and Workington feel like they are being thrown under the bus as the RFL drives relentlessly onwards with their plans – despite numerous objections to the speed and manner in which they are being forced on community clubs.”
He insisted: “It was only at the Community Board meeting in September this year that a majority of its members voted to accept the drive for an NCRL, to be carried out through considerable communication and stakeholder engagement.
“This was to include a communication plan and presentations to leagues, clubs, coaches, volunteers and parents to explain the proposed changes, gathering information to ensure a smooth transition.
“But all that has gone by the wayside and here we are in December with clubs volunteers up in arms and ambitions shot to pieces.
“The very timescale belies the fact that very little consultation, and in particular understanding, has been carried out at all, especially at NCL level and with Cumbrian clubs.
“In fact the whole NCRL project, especially at national level, has been bullied towards the finish line through intimidation and fear, as clubs have been left afraid that if they don’t toe the NCRL line, they will be left without fixtures or indeed a sport to play.
“In short, they don’t want the NCRL but they feel they have been given no choice. So much for smoothing the wheels of transition.”
Denning continued: “Clubs are considering whether they wish to proceed with legal action or not. It’s a tough call.
“As I explained to them, the NCL board’s position remains the same. On balance we believe that RFL officials, in implementing such radical changes in the community game – especially at open age level – have failed in their duty to evidence appropriate consultation with stakeholders, including leagues, clubs, volunteers and parents.
“As always, we are a democratic organisation with all views and opinions respected. We could not have fought harder for their cause.
“Those who have had personal meetings with the RFL, been present at any of the meetings or, indeed, partaken in online post-delivery of the structure will have seen first-hand how this transition has been dealt with. We will respect all of our clubs’ views and move forward with the majority decision.”