THIS could turn out to be one of the most important weeks in the history of Rugby League in this country.
The Rugby Football League, in the shape of Alan Smith, the community game senior administrator, will, I believe, meet clubs on Thursday to review the inaugural National Community Rugby League campaign.
To be fair, the RFL stated from the outset that the season would be something of a ‘trial’, with reflections to be sought – and welcomed – from clubs once the dust had settled.
Well, we’re now at that point and we’ll see what those who are actually at the coalface will have to say about the last few months.
There are certainly issues which have caused folk to stop me in my tracks, in the street or in the supermarket.
Several have been quite forthright, I have to say.
A long-serving servant at all levels of the sport said to me, back in the spring (referring to the National Conference League which, if it had been allowed to continue by the RFL, would have celebrated its 40th anniversary this year): “If it isn’t broke, why fix it?”
That’s a question others have put to me and, indeed, still are.
This week’s gathering could perhaps establish whether the RFL have created something which may lead to a brave new dawn or whether they will ultimately be seen as, simply, destroyers.
As I say, Thursday could turn out to be a historic day.
It was good to bump into Dave Mawson, incidentally, late last week.
I’ve known the lad for nearly 60 years since, as a young teenager, he used to train alongside us at Parkside when I played for the Hunslet Juniors Under 17s team.
Since then, Dav has run just about the entire gamut of grassroots Rugby League, as a player of some class before a serious leg injury put paid to his on-field progress, and then as a coach before becoming chairman of Hunslet Warriors and, subsequently, of Hunslet ARLFC.
Dav stepped down a couple of months ago and, very fittingly, he was honoured recently with the Alan Reid award, which recognises outstanding off-field contributions to the amateur game. Well done, mate, no one could have been a more worthy recipient.
I hope to see Dav at the forthcoming Leeds & District reunion, which will once again be held at the Irish Centre on York Road, Leeds.
This year’s bash, which I’m sure will be as successful as the previous gatherings (I think this is the fourth or fifth) will be held on Friday, November 20 and tickets, at just £5 (which also entitles buyers to a buffet, and to inclusion in a raffle) can be bought from Glenn Davies (07801 063797) or Sam Horner (07780 676132).
I also expect to catch up with the veteran administrator Spen Allison there.
Spen, who – like Dav – has wide-ranging experience of the game from being a player, to coaching and, in his case, being president of the British Amateur Rugby League Association, was hailed recently by the York & District League for outstanding service spanning many decades.
I’m looking forward to seeing both men, and chief guest Alan Smith, the former Leeds and Great Britain winger who I’m sure will hold the audience spellbound with recollections of his (and the Loiners’) great deeds.
There’s been a feeling, meanwhile, that the National League season went on and on in its first year. It certainly surprised me that the Grand Final took place a few weeks after the Super League Grand Final.
I recall strolling down to the Super League’s climax from nearby Old Trafford cricket ground, where the NCL had held its post-season presentation lunch. It seems to be so very different now, doesn’t it?
The National Leagues have nothing on the North West Youth League, however. The latter campaign seems to be never-ending and there are even fixtures designated for next weekend, as readers of today’s League Express will be able to see.
It’s also the case, however, that in terms of games actually played, North West Youth in 2026 appears close to being more fictional than factual.
I mentioned, the other week, the number of 25-0 ‘walkover’ results sent in by GameDay and there hasn’t been much let-up. Who’s kidding who, I have to ask?
