I'm told St Judes and IRB were one of the last to say they were changing to summer. I think all NCL clubs will move en masse anyway.

The Barla NCL is an interesting concept and it will be interesting to hear what comes from Girvins meeting with the RFL on Friday(?).

I think the writing maybe on the wall for the proposed BARLA winter conf, I very much doubt there will be the teams who can tick the boxes to qualify to maintain a decent level.

Winter rugby will be regionalised leagues only by the sounds of it, and if current NCL teams want to avoid summer rugby or eventually drop out it will be to the like of NWC, Pennine etc etc.

Looking further ahead however.... one thought I've had on the whole RFL summer proposal, is that surely there will be the handful of teams that do aspire to make 'tier 2' of the Rugby League ladder, which is the carrott being dangled in front of the big sides should they wish to make/achieve the step, maybe more than handful! Those clubs with Pennies in the bank already and those who can attract good local business backing aswell as funding from here there and everywere. IMO this will slowly alienate those lower down the 'Summer conference' ladder......it is then I fear that the grass may not seem so green in the summer for the smaller clubs.

agree there are clubs giving tier two the eye but some are being a bit 'aspirational' shall we say. as for the lower clubs -it will all depend on the club. whatever happens, it cannot be less 'green' than winter for a side like us in Bury. I chatted at length with a v good Div 3 side tonight - i mentioned our summer move = £1,600 in savings in the bank (cost of floodlit training), he said they pay that and dont worry about the cost as they've grown to be used to it. so, it's always going to be 'greener' from my view as i know plenty of things £1,600 could go on.

of course...i think the NCL moving over will displace many of the 'top level' current summer clubs as I think NCL is better! but the RFL need to look at the transfering NWC clubs and support their transition as they are needed to mkae the whole thing work. for a start, they need to recognise that such are participation clubs not elite sides and the off-field standards need to reflect such

its very much an each to there own i think with preference as to when they wanna play there rugby....its a brave step.

small acorns and all that.

My view (and not of the club), is that as an amateur team in Wigan, where I am sure you will agree it is tough to get established, in terms of getting the kids down rather than goin to Pats, Judes and the like....we could provide the winter alternative....Opens allot of doors for us stayin in the winter format in my opinion....again, small acorns and all that.

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