Rugby Football League launches new National Youth League
4th September 2005
Halifax Home Insurance will be the title sponsor of Rugby League’s new National Youth League.
Sixteen teams from across the country will compete in the new competition, which kicks off on September 11th.
The competition has been set up following discussions and consultation carried out by Rugby League’s Community Board which created a project group to consider the needs of the sport at Under 18 level.
The Halifax Home Insurance National Youth League will include teams from West Cumbria, North West Counties and Yorkshire Youth Leagues.
The League will provide an excellent level of national competition for Under 18 players which will complement the sport’s already highly successful Academy structure. It will also offer players an alternative means of continuing their development and retaining them in the sport.
The regional Leagues will also benefit, as all teams will be issued with rugby balls carrying the Halifax Home Insurance logo.
Executive Director of Development at the RFL, Gary Tasker welcomed the new initiative. He said: “When we carried out a survey of young players it was clear that a significant number wanted the opportunity to play at a national level.
“The Community Board’s Project Group has managed to make this a reality through careful and patient discussions.
“Halifax Home Insurance has supported the initiative with their sponsorship of the new National Youth League.”
Tasker continued: “We are sure that given the structures now in place and the support of all sections of the sport, the competition to reach the inaugural Halifax Home Insurance National Youth League Grand Final will bring out the best from all the players.”
David Norton, Head of Marketing & Sponsorship at Halifax Home Insurance commented:
'Halifax Home Insurance is delighted to be involved with the National Youth League. This initiative is part of our ongoing corporate social responsibility programme and commitment to the development of youth Rugby League. The National Youth League will provide structure for high-level competition at an important age for many young players.
The new structure has received support from the Open Age National Leagues, BARLA Regional Leagues and BARLA Board of Management.
Also commenting on the new League, Rugby League Services Manager Neil Wood said: “We believe that the National Youth League will ease the problems of over playing young players, help to retain them within their amateur clubs and provide an alternative means of developing youngsters who aspire to become professionals.
“It will also strengthen the bridge for players from Under 16 level to Open age Rugby League, thus increasing the level of participation”.
Teams will compete in two Conferences and each play 20 rounds of fixtures. They will be listed as a national competition table with the Top 6 teams qualifying for a play-off series which will decide the championship.
The teams
| Eastern Conference |
Western Conference |
|
Wibsey Juniors (National Cup Finalists 2005)
Bradford Dudley Hill
Siddal
Waterhead (Oldham)
Castleford Lock Lane
Driglington
West Hull
Embassy Longhill |
Leigh Miners Rangers (National Cup Winners)
Leigh East
Wigan St Judes
Blackbrook
Widnes St Maries
Hensingham
Kells
Ince Rosebridge |
Halifax Home Insurance National Under 18 Youth League Week One fixtures – Sunday 11th September 2005
Blackbrook v Leigh Miners Rangers 1:30
Drighlington v Castleford Lock Lane 1:30
Hensingham v Ince Rose Bridge 2:30
Leigh East v Widnes St Maries 1:30
Waterhead v Siddal 1:30
West Hull v Bradford Dudley Hill 1:30
Wibsey Juniors v Embassy Longhill 1:30
Wigan St Judes v Kells 1:30
|
