THE National Conference League’s management have responded to the Rugby Football League’s proposed National Community Rugby League (NCRL) initiative, which is geared to restructuring the men’s amateur game from next year.
The flagship competition currently operates four divisions but the RFL is poised to regionalise the lower two sections.
NCL chair Mike Denning said: “It’s our 40th anniversary in 2026 but the RFL’s evolution plan appears set to turn the celebration into a wake.
“We have evolved from a ten-club competition to 46 teams over four divisions, with a 100 percent fixture completion rate in 2025, while other leading clubs wish to participate from 2026.
“We have been at the forefront of developing the community game, leading it into summer; driving improved discipline through head-cams for referees; furthering the acceptance of dual-registered players and carrying out a ‘forensic’ (the RFL’s words not ours) examination of the RFL’s case for the implementation of membership fees.
“The RFL has rightly identified that player numbers have been in decline since 2017. That has reduced significantly in recent years so why has it taken so long to instigate a change, and why must it be implemented so quickly?
“All senior-age sports have suffered a significant drop in participation numbers but when you want to instigate change in any business or structure it should be measured, be timely, well planned, communicated and implemented with the detail fully developed to resolve potential pitfalls before they occur.
“However, we feel that the RFL’s process has been rushed, is not player-centric and doesn’t respect the wishes of any clubs, or the volunteers that run them.”
He continued: “Last September the league president Trevor Hunt and I (as current chair) were asked to attend meetings at RFL HQ.
“From the very beginning we sought assurances that the NCL would be allowed to celebrate its 40th anniversary throughout 2026 and that those members who want to play in a national league would have their wishes accommodated.
“We were asked to maintain confidentiality until we had thrashed out an in-principle agreement on a way forward that could accommodate any NCL clubs that didn’t want to play national competitions. Until Monday 3 November, when the RFL issued their final report, we honoured the agreement.
“The RFL sought the views of all 46 NCL clubs. An overwhelming 34 opted for national competition, with twelve voting for regional participation. The NCL Management quickly drafted a three-division format to incorporate those twelve clubs but it was dismissed by the RFL as a change that implements ‘no change’.”
He concluded: “The change is not being managed appropriately, is being rushed and is ill thought out. We will meet our clubs on Monday 10 November to take stock of their views.
“We want the RFL to not try and act in haste and create chaos that could take us all back years, but to listen to those at the clubs who are on the coal face.”