Hi all,

Any one any info on:-

Whos in the 2012 mens league??

How many divisions?

Boo

Meeting tomorrow night...

Has anyone any more info on next seasons nwmens league ? I heard a rumour that the ncl alliance division is to be scrapped, would make sence IMO as there is no promotion and relegation and not a level playing field. It would be sensible to split the division and place them in the relevant division in the nwmens league.

suppose it will be up to the NCL members whether they want to run an alliance league and then up to them (collectively or individually) whether their second teams play in the Alliance League or play in the Summer NW Mens League.

Stuff from last night basically said clubs need to submit forms by January 15th, League starts on April 21st but will be preceded by a round robin tournament from March into April. NWC sides could switch over, there will be 4 divisions most likely, with a merit league below. Teams can enter the merit competition at any time and play agmes from March to November aligned with the timings of the mens league.

From chatting to rep's from teams in the NCL alliance, several will be joining tier 4 alongside the teams that opted out last year. I think this will lead to the whole alliance league being mothballed and lumped in to 4 [ien bloc[/i.

I was not impressed at all with the plan to start the season with a 5 week knockout competition with the implication that you lose round 1 you have no game for a month immediately after your season opener. Seemed strong murmurs of support for a round robin pool system instead in a manner of the Northern Rail Cup. What was everyone elses thoughts on this? I don't think playing glorified friendlies in the proposed emerging clubs league is a good alternative at that stage of the season.

We'd be opposed to a knock-out competition. Happy enough to play in a Northern Rail style cup but really depends how it would be structured. There are potentially some good clubs in the top couple of division and we could live without getting lumped in a group with a couple of them.

I think we'll know a lot more by January 15. If the NCL A clubs come in then I think NWML has the makings of a very decent competition.

The war of the roses needs to be a round robin and not straight a knockout,

My understanding was that the league had been delayed until April to allow teams to leave the NWC but he said that any team joining after March would have to play in the entrance league, can't see Blackbrook or Maries for example doing that also it would just deter emerging teams from playing, if the NWC clubs can make the opening fixtures of the NWML in April then in my opinion they should be allowed to join the competitive leagues, the only issue then would be what division they join with a view to being fair to clubs who have supported the move through the short season

The reluctance to move so far is imo down to maintaining levels of competition and the NWC prem teams are so far notable by their absence. From what I hear thats about to change with some understanding over playing parity. Its in the RFL's interest to have these clubs in the competition and rightly so. When/if that happens I'd expect the league structure they decide upon to be very similar to last seasons NWC set-up, with the odd exception.

Definately is to be a round robin comp in March as I rung for clarification for other reasons. We wanted to be free to opt out of it as we want to give ourselves a bit of a longer break given we've been training and playing since June/July 2010.

I think the NCL A Teams will switch - a few of the bigger clubs want to as their A Teams are an NWC Div 1 standard. I know of one who wants a seperate Alliance League but I don't think there will be the numbers to support it

For those who didnt see the presentation at the meeting, I've linked it via our site: www.pitchero.com/clubs/burybronc ... _id=449436

For those who didnt see the presentation at the meeting, I've linked it via our site: www.pitchero.com/clubs/burybronc ... _id=449436

All those divisions look competitive especially the top one with a few nwc premier teams in there. Bank quay mite not have it all their own way but I'm sure that's how they'd prefer it.

I wouldn't take much notice of the league tables on the presentation as they are the same as what they drafted up in the summer, before a few team opted to stay in the NWC for the winter season, there are rumours about that a few prem clubs who aren't on that presentation are about to sign for summer when/if they do I think more will follow, and given that Hilary as resigned as chair and it is rumoured that other committee mambers will be standing down at the end of the season clubs may just decide to move across on block.

From what I hear out of the Premier division Pilkington Recs, Blackbrook, Ashton and Clock Face Miners have asked about switching plus about 15 from the lower leagues. Whether more will follow I don't know but some clubs are allegedly looking at the Pennine League as a winter option. Whether there will remain a remnant NWCL I have no idea.

Word out of Ashton and Pilks is they have both signed to move to summer with Blackbrook and Clock Face meeting on Thursday, as you have also stated there are around 15 other teams from below the prem also planning to ditch winter rugby, it will only be a matter of time until all the other teams have no choice to move.

There'll be some winter diehards enter the Pennine League but in the long run with all juniors west of the Pennines playing summer then most players will know no other season IMO.

Yorkshire it would take an Ice Age to persuade them to go summer.