Of the NCL teams with 2nd teams in the NWCL, 11 of the 12 teams had already voted to take their first teams to the summer, and as a result their NWC sides would follow. Only Ince RB had voted for winter at last week's NCL meeting and stated at tonight's meeting that they were undecided what they were going to do.

In the poll clubs were given 3 options Summer, Winter or Undecided

The NWCL Management said that they would continue to run a winter league for those clubs that wanted it.

22 clubs indicated they wanted to remain in winter.

13 (including Ince RB) said they were as yet undecided.

20 (including 11 out of 12 NCL clubs) said they wanted to move to summer.

10 clubs were absent (Mostly from Barrow).

The NCL clubs are Crosfields (Div 5), Eccles (Div 4), Leigh East (Div 1), Leigh Miners(Div 1), Oldham St.Annes (Div 1), Rochdale Mayfield (Div 4), Saddleworth Div 4), Thatto Heath (Div1), Waterhead (Div 4), Wigan St,Judes (Div 2), Wigan St,Pats (Div 2).

The Other Clubs were
Accrington Panthers (NE Lancs - Div 6)
Bury Broncos (Lancs - Div 5)
Chorley Panthers (Lancs - Div 5)
Fitton Hill (Oldham - Div 6)
Folly Lane (Swinton - Div 1)
Leyland Warriors (Lancs - Div 3)
Little Hulton (Salford - Div 6)
Newton Storm (St.Helens - Div 5)
Woolston (Warrington - Div 2)

Of the absent clubs Bank Quay Bulls (Warrington - Prem Div) had previously shown and interest in moving to summer according to Ron Girvin.

Will be interesting to see which way the undecided clubs fall but it looks like a big shake up is on the cards no matter what.

Ince RB have said that their NCL team will be going to summer desite voting No initially. Which mean it is highly likely that their NWC team will follow suit.

nb. and when i say kids, I mean the 16,17, 18 year olds makin the step up, i appreciate the youth are movin to summer aswell.

Wigan St Pats dont have an under 18's playing Summer, Wigan St Judes do in the Gillette National Youth League.
i heard yesterday 5 lads had recently moved from Pats to Judes to play Summer rugby.
Judes now full with 30 players, i believe Ince has a big squad with 25+ players;
clearly the kids at 16,17,18 want to play summer and will vote with their feet. If you stop in winter - your youth players will drift away. No future in winter RL.

Thats because there not puttin as much meat in the meat & prayter anymore, going soft these kids

But on a serious note...My point exactly i think the like of Ourselves, Hindley, New Springs, Orrell, have to in some way compete against the like of Judes and Pats and it ain't easy as you obviously knowonly to well based on your knowledge of there respective youth set ups, and no matter whther we play summer or winter the lads are always going to want o go down to the big 3, and this will be backed up by parents.

I sure as hell don't no the answer, but as far as open age goes I think to say winter rugby has no future is discredited by the fact that there are still a majority as local level that want to stay with the winter format.

2nd string open age will remain in winter for many teams

Youth teams will be down selected to a few "big" clubs, the RFL rules allowing players to be picked from the lesser "training" clubs as and when they feel the need.

We certainly will have a larger number of "elite" clubs than we do today (albeit still a relatively small number - say three per pro club), however the manner in which they will have free access to anything below willl be the death of the lesser clubs.

Hands up any youth league in this country where it's smaller clubs coaches and volunteers are always more than happy to carry on without issue when their best players are poached or have their heads turned by the big boys.

Yes grass is green in summer for some, but decidely dusty for what will in effect be the majority (soon to becone a minority).

Still perhaps the free sprinklers will help