The Rugby League Conference (RLC) (also known as the Co-operative Rugby League Conference as a result of sponsorship from the Co-operative Group, is a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales. There will be 13 divisions in 2008 (1 National, 4 Premier (Northern, Midlands, Southern and Welsh) and 8 Regional (Scotland, North West, Cheshire, Yorkshire, South Yorkshire & Lincolnshire, West and West Midlands, South West and East). It has been suggested that Co-op (supermarket) be merged into this article or section. ... Rugby league football is a full-contact team sport played with a prolate spheroid-shaped ball by two teams of thirteen on a rectangular grass field. ... For other uses, see England (disambiguation). ... This article is about the country. ... This article is about the country. ...

The RLC was founded as the 10 team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the south east, but has subsequently, rebranded and expanded both geographically and numberswise to include around 90 teams stretched across almost the whole of Great Britain from Lossiemouth in northern Scotland down to Plymouth.

The aim of the RLC was initially to provide regular fixtures for new clubs based outside the 'heartland' of rugby league, although as the playing standards have raised it now also accepts teams from the 'heartlands'. The hope is that at least some of these clubs will eventually progress to become semi-professional clubs that could one day join the 'traditional' clubs in the national leagues to date only London Skolars have done so. The Rugby League National Leagues (currently known as the LHF Healthplan National Leagues as a result of sponsorship) form the basis for rugby league competition in Great Britain below Super League. ... London Skolars are a rugby league team based at the New River Stadium in the Haringey area of north London. ...

Confusingly, the top (winter) league administered by BARLA is also titled conference: the National Conference League. Although many of the clubs are affiliated to BARLA, the RLC is run, not by them, but by the Rugby Football League. The British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA) is the governing body for social and recreational rugby league in the United Kingdom. ... The National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA). ... The Rugby Football League (RFL) is the governing body for rugby league in the United Kingdom. ...

History

Main article: History of the Rugby League Conference

The Southern Conference League was founded as a 10-team competition in 1997. The following season it was rebranded as the Rugby League Conference due to its intentions to include teams from all non-heartland parts of the country and its even then inclusion of several teams outside the South. The league steadily expanded over the first few seasons right up to the fringes of the heartlands, before expanding into Wales for the first time in 2001 with the addition of Cardiff Demons. The league expanded into the North East that same season.

In 2003 National League Three was founded including some of the stronger Rugby League Conference clubs and some BARLA clubs. This same season massive expansion of the Rugby League Conference including an entire Welsh division. The league also pushed its borders further including more teams from the less rugby league playing areas of the counties considered the heartlands and went as far south west as Somerset. The league expanded further in 2004 by allowing entry to heartland clubs. For the 2005 season the competition was split into two tiers, with Premier divisions being created for above the existing regional divisions. The next major changes were in 2007 when National League Three (as the National Division) and the Scottish League became integral parts of the Rugby League Conference structure.

Season and play-off format

There is no promotion or relegation between divisions, teams may apply to join higher divisions and may or may not be accepted based on different criteria.

In the event of a default, the game is awarded 24-0 to the non-defaulting side.

National Division

The ten teams play each other on a home and away basis providing eighteen games. The top six teams then enter the end of season play-offs in the same format as the play-offs for the Super League and National leagues Super League (Europe) began in March 1996 and is the only full-time professional rugby league competition operating in the northern hemisphere. ... The Rugby League National Leagues (currently known as the LHF Healthplan National Leagues as a result of sponsorship) form the basis for rugby league competition in Great Britain below Super League. ...

Premier divisions

There are three English divisions and one Welsh division with seven to ten teams per division. Teams play fourteen games each in the English divisions and just seven games in the Welsh division. Each division then has its own play-off series to determine the champion with the four divisional winners entering the semi-finals of the play-offs for the Harry Jepson Trophy.

The premier divisions were added in the 2005 season to provide for clubs wanting to play a longer season and the development of those clubs within the Conference.

There is a minimum criteria attached to membership including the organization of at least one junior team. There will also be a requirement over time to add additional teams at junior level and to register for clubmark. It is also recommended to have a second open age team.

Regional divisions

There are eight regional divisions (seven English and one Scottish) in 2007 with four to eight teams and six to twelve fixtures per team with varying fixture formats. Each division has play-offs with varying formats with the winners entering the quarter-finals of the play-offs for the national title.

Representative fixtures

After the end of the RLC season a series of games between the different English regions (as defined by Sport England) are held. These regional teams draw upon players from the clubs in their region. After this a selection is made for the North versus South origin game as well as England Lionhearts who represent England in a competition against national amateur sides from Wales, Scotland (players drawn from RLC teams) and Ireland (players from their own national amateur championship). Sport England logo Sport England (formerly the English Sports Council) is the body responsible for distributing funds and providing strategic guidance for sporting activity in England. ...

2008 Structure

National

Bramley Buffaloes are a rugby league club from the Bramley area of Leeds in Yorkshire, England. ... Year 1879 (MDCCCLXXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... For other uses, see Leeds (disambiguation) and Leeds City (disambiguation). ... The Celtic Crusaders are a rugby league club based in Bridgend, Wales, United Kingdom. ... 2008 (MMVIII) is the current year, a leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Era (or Anno Domini), in accordance with the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Bridgend (disambiguation). ... Dewsbury Celtic is a rugby league club in the town of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. ... Year 1879 (MDCCCLXXIX) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar) of the Gregorian calendar (or a common year starting on Monday of the 12-day slower Julian calendar). ... For the constituency of this name, see Dewsbury (UK Parliament constituency). ... Kirklees is a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... , Darwen is a market town in Lancashire, England extending onto the West Pennine Moors. ... Blackburn with Darwen (Dwrgwyn) is a borough in Lancashire, North West England. ... Year 1994 (MCMXCIV) The year 1994 was designated as the International Year of the Family and the International Year of the Sport and the Olympic Ideal by the United Nations. ... Featherstone is a town by the City of Wakefield, in West Yorkshire, England. ... For other uses, see Wakefield (disambiguation). ... Gateshead Storm are the top amateur rugby league club in the north east of England. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... , Newcastle upon Tyne (usually shortened to Newcastle) is a large city in Tyne and Wear, England. ... Hemel Stags are a rugby league team based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire. ... AUGUST 25 1981 US Marine Sean Vance is Born on the 25th of August {ear nav|1981}} Year 1981 (MCMLXXXI) was a common year starting on Thursday (link displays the 1981 Gregorian calendar). ... Hemel Hempstead is a town in Hertfordshire, England with a population of 81,143 at the 2001 Census. ... For the similarly named county in the West Midlands region, see Herefordshire. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... , Huddersfield is a large town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England, near the confluence of the River Colne and the River Holme. ... Kirklees is a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. ... Also see: 2002 (number). ... For other uses, see Liverpool (disambiguation). ... Warrington Wizards are an English Rugby League club who play their matches at Wilderspool Stadium, formerley known as Woolston Rovers and Warrington Woolston Rovers. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the Borough in the north-west of England. ...

Northern Premier

Carlisle RLFC were a rugby league team based in Carlisle, Cumbria. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... For other uses, see Carlisle (disambiguation). ... Cumbria (IPA: ), is a shire county in the extreme North West of England. ... The Durham Tigers are a small rugby league side based in Meadowfield just outside Durham in England. ... Statistics Population: 24,392 (2001) [1] Ordnance Survey OS grid reference: NZ208294 Administration District: Wear Valley Shire county: County Durham Region: North East England Constituent country: England Sovereign state: United Kingdom Other Ceremonial county: County Durham Historic county: County Durham Services Police force: Durham Constabulary Fire and rescue: {{{Fire}}} Ambulance... County Durham is a county in north-east England. ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... Bramhope is a village and civil parish in the Metropolitan Borough of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England, just to the north of Leeds itself area. ... For other uses, see Yorkshire (disambiguation). ... Peterlee is a new town in County Durham, England. ... County Durham is a county in north-east England. ...

Midlands Premier

Bedford Tigers RLFC is a rugby league club based in Bedford, England. ... Year 2004 (MMIV) was a leap year starting on Thursday of the Gregorian calendar. ... This article is about the English county town. ... Bedfordshire (abbreviated Beds. ... Year 1989 (MCMLXXXIX) was a common year starting on Sunday (link displays 1989 Gregorian calendar). ... Perry Barr constituency shown within Birmingham Perry Barr is an area in north Birmingham, England . ... This article is about the British city. ... Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1995. ... Year 1998 (MCMXCVIII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display full 1998 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Coventry (disambiguation). ... This article is about the year. ... This article is about the city in England. ... Gloucestershire Warriors RLFC are a rugby league team from the county of Gloucestershire in England. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... Churchdown is a village in Gloucestershire, England. ... Gloucestershire (pronounced ; GLOSS-ter-sher) is a county in South West England. ... Year 1986 (MCMLXXXVI) was a common year starting on Wednesday (link displays 1986 Gregorian calendar). ... This article discusses Leicester in England. ... Events of 2008: (EMILY) Me Lesley and MIley are going to China! This article is about the year. ... For other uses, see Nottingham (disambiguation). ...

Southern Premier

NB:Kent Ravens (South Premier Division), Glasgow Bulls (Scottish Division), Manchester Jets (North West Division) and Macclesfield Titans (Cheshire Division) have all either resigned or been struck from the fixture lists Esher is a town in the Surrey borough of Elmbridge in South East England near the River Mole. ... This article is about the English county. ... The Ipswich Rhinos Rugby League Football Club is a British rugby league club based at Ipswich RUFC in Ipswich, in the county of Suffolk. ... Year 1992 (MCMXCII) was a leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display full 1992 Gregorian calendar). ... For other uses, see Ipswich (disambiguation). ... Suffolk (pronounced ) is a large historic and modern non-metropolitan county in East Anglia, England. ... London Skolars are a rugby league team based at the New River Stadium in the Haringey area of north London. ... , Wood Green is a district in the London Borough of Haringey in North London, England. ... The London Borough of Haringey is a north London borough. ... St Albans Centurions is a rugby league team based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. ... Year 1996 (MCMXCVI) was a leap year starting on Monday (link will display full 1996 Gregorian calendar). ... , St Albans is the main urban area of the City and District of St Albans in southern Hertfordshire, England, around 22 miles (35 km) north of central London. ... For the similarly named county in the West Midlands region, see Herefordshire. ... South London Storm Rugby League Club was formed in 1997. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... , Thornton Heath is a district in the London Borough of Croydon. ... For other uses, see Croydon (disambiguation). ... Year 2003 (MMIII) was a common year starting on Wednesday of the Gregorian calendar. ... West London Sharks RLFC is a rugby league team based in Middlesex. ... For the band, see 1997 (band). ... , Isleworth (IPA: ) is a suburb located in the London Borough of Hounslow alongside the River Thames in West London. ... , Hounslow is the principal town in the London Borough of Hounslow. ... Carlisle RLFC were a rugby league team based in Carlisle, Cumbria. ... The Durham Tigers are a small rugby league side based in Meadowfield just outside Durham in England. ... Bedford Tigers RLFC is a rugby league club based in Bedford, England. ... Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1995. ... This article is about the city of Derby in England. ... Gloucestershire Warriors RLFC are a rugby league team from the county of Gloucestershire in England. ... The Ipswich Rhinos Rugby League Football Club is a British rugby league club based at Ipswich RUFC in Ipswich, in the county of Suffolk. ... London Skolars are a rugby league team based at the New River Stadium in the Haringey area of north London. ... St Albans Centurions is a rugby league team based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. ... South London Storm Rugby League Club was formed in 1997. ... West London Sharks RLFC is a rugby league team based in Middlesex. ... Cardiff Demons RLFC are a rugby league side who play out of Taffs Well RFC in the north of Cardiff, Wales. ... Newport Titans RLFC are a rugby league side who play out of Pill Harriers RFC in Newport, South Wales. ... The Edinburgh Eagles are a rugby league team based in Edinburgh, Scotland. ... Fife Lions are a rugby league club participating in the Scottish Rugby League Conference. ... The Paisley Hurricanes are a team in the Scotland Rugby League Conference. ... Winnington Park Rugby League are a rugby league club who have played in the Rugby League Conference (RLC) since 2006. ... The East Riding of Yorkshire is a local government district in the United Kingdom. ... The introduction to this article provides insufficient context for those unfamiliar with the subject matter. ... Sheffield Forgers RLFC is a rugby league club in Sheffield, England. ... Bristol Sonics are a rugby league club based in Bristol in the South West of England. ... Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1995. ... The Oxford Cavaliers rugby league team was one of the eight founder members of the Rugby League Conference. ... Redditch Ravens are a rugby league club based in Redditch, England. ... Telford Raiders ARLFC are a rugby league club based in the town of Telford in Shropshire, England. ... Wolverhampton Wizards are an amateur rugby league club, and were formed in 1998. ... Plymouth Rugby League Football Club is the leading rugby league club in Plymouth. ... Somerset Vikings RLFC are a rugby league team from the county of Somerset in England. ... Cambridge Eagles Rugby League Club are the rugby league team representing the city of Cambridge, England. ...

Past winners

Rugby League Conference National

• 2003 Warrington Woolston Rovers (as National League three)
• 2004 Coventry Bears (as National League three)
• 2005 Bradford Dudley Hill (as National League three)
• 2006 Bramley Buffaloes (as National League three)
• 2007 Featherstone Lions

Harry Jepson Trophy

The Harry Jepson trophy was competed for by all the Conference sides up to 2004. From 2005, it has been competed for only by the RLC Premier divisions.

• 1997 North London Skolars (as Southern Conference)
• 1998 Crawley Jets
• 1999 Chester Wolves
• 2000 Crawley Jets
• 2001 Teesside Steelers
• 2002 Coventry Bears
• 2003 Bridgend Blue Bulls
• 2004 Widnes Saints
• 2005 Bridgend Blue Bulls
• 2006 South London Storm
• 2007 St Albans Centurions

London Skolars are a rugby league team based at the New River Stadium in the Haringey area of north London. ... Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1995. ... South London Storm Rugby League Club was formed in 1997. ... St Albans Centurions is a rugby league team based in St Albans, Hertfordshire. ...

RLC Regional

The RLC Regional is open to English sides that are in the regional divisions rather than the Premier divisions. It was introduced in 2005.

• 2005 Wetherby Bulldogs
• 2006 Liverpool Buccaneers
• 2007 Widnes Saints

RLC Shield

The RLC Shield is an optional secondary competition for regional sides that do not make their divisions' play-offs. Prior to 2005, it was for teams not making the play-offs of the Harry Jepson trophy.

• 2002 South London Storm

• 2003 Bolton Le Moors (now East Lancashire Lions)

• 2004 Cardiff Demons

• 2005 Blackpool Sea Eagles

• 2006 Not contested

Welsh Premier

Competed for by the RLC Wales division since 2004.

• 2004 Bridgend Blue Bulls

• 2005 Bridgend Blue Bulls

• 2006 Bridgend Blue Bulls

• 2007 Bridgend Blue Bulls

Welsh Shield

Secondary Welsh competition for teams who do not make the play-offs for the Welsh Premier.

• 2004 Cardiff Demons

• 2005 Newport Titans

• 2006 Not contested

Scotland

Scottish regional tier, introduced 2006.

• 2006 Fife Lions (not as full members of the RLC)

• 2007 Edinburgh Eagles

(For previous Scottish champions see: Scotland Rugby League) The Scotland Rugby League is the governing body for rugby league in Scotland. ...

References

Beyond the Heartlands - The History of the Rugby League Conference Julian Harrison

See also

• British rugby league system‎
• Rugby League National Leagues
• National Conference League
• London League
• RL Merit League
• Scotland Rugby League

The British rugby league system is based on three separate structures the professional leagues administered by the Rugby Football League, the amateur leagues administered by British Amateur Rugby League Association and the Rugby League Conference. ... The Rugby League National Leagues (currently known as the LHF Healthplan National Leagues as a result of sponsorship) form the basis for rugby league competition in Great Britain below Super League. ... The National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA). ... The London League (LL) is a rugby league competition was founded in 1965. ... The Scotland Rugby League is the governing body for rugby league in Scotland. ...

External links

• Official website
• Unofficial RLC website
• Club directory on official site
• Official tables
• Fixture lists
• Fixtures and results on leaguenews.co.uk