That was the outcome of an historic meeting of the 38 National Conference League clubs on Monday evening when they voted 28-10 to accept the Rugby Football League’s invitation to operate the Conference North division of Tier 3 of the new summer structure, under licence.

Further madness from RFL

The Clubs voted for it.

The Clubs voted for it.

did they vote twice

I can understand playing in Summer. First bigger crowds and maybe different opportunities to make money- Beer & BBQ. Secondly I as a player prefer playing in summer on firmer grounds than trying to play rugby in a bog and the wind and rain driving in your face. I can see more benefits playing in Summer than Winter. Some people will say what about Holidays etc? Well what about going 4 or 5 weeks with games postponed etc? If asked I would choose summer over winter Rugby.

Will RL fans choose to go and watch their local amatuer club for £ 2 and cheap beer/food , instead of their local semi pro club for £ 15 and expensive beer/food ?

Different day of the week! Up to the Semi-Pro clubs to justify the cost.

Or up to the blokes to convince theirs spouses to let them go to the Rugby all weekend rather than just the one day ?

Or, takeing their kids to cricket or playing themselves. When SL was muted in 97-98 I heard on the TV that 250,000 men and kids played cricket Saturday and Sunday in Yorks. alone, that did not include their families. Could this be the death nell of amateur rugby as we know it?

It will affect the number of amateur matches I attend , during winter I am looking for something to get me out of the house , usually on a saturday as Sunday does tend to have decent football coverage

i dont understand all the holiday business either, as many go on holiday during the winter months these days.

Why is it ?


I'll tell you what, I was never in favour of the switch to summer rugby, but wish I'd had the opportunity to play it, instead I was an autumn/winter/spring player for almost 20 years.
It makes sense to me, the only thing I'd be worried about at amateur level is the young lads that are borderline pro being taken by the pro clubs for their entire amateur season as opposed to part of it as it has been for recent years, but in the case of the individual, crack on & have a go & get what you can out of the game.
Summer rugby has got some mileage in it as far as I'm concerned.

Playing rugby on rock hard pitches, in warm temperatures at the beginning and end of a normal season was always hard work.

At professional level the clubs will be able to water the pitches and keep them relatively soft, but I can't see amateur pitches being looked after to the same extent.

Sorry but you are talking rubbish. First its very rare pitches are that rock hard in summer and you saying that pitches also rock hard in winter? Grass grows better in summer and so the pitches are often not as hard as you think. Hard work? Sorry but thats just a poor excuse. I play in summer and think its way better. Warmer conditions means better standard of rugby. On the rare days its over 30C we play 20 minutes have a 2 minute water break then 20 minutes and then 10 minutes then another 2 minute break on the 60 minute mark.
Many of the excuses about playing in summer is so bad is by people who have never played in summer or doesnt suit them. If you dont want something you can make as many excuses you want for it not to happen. I get the feeling this is the case about Summer Rugby. Having played in the freezing cold Winter at Greetland, Siddal, Ovenden, Stainland, Queensbury, Keighley Town, Underbank etc I know its very grim. Playing in summer is a far better attraction and less likely that games at such places getting called off!