North West Merit League
Encyclopedia
The North West Merit League is a rugby league
competition for clubs in the North West of England. It is a feeder league for the Rugby League Conference
.
meant that it could be administered as part of the Rugby League Conference
set-up. Interest quickly gathered with 13 teams showing an interest in participating in the inaugural season - 8 eventually participated. The first ever game took place on April 8, 2006 at All Saints Sports College, Sheffield
, where the Sheffield Forgers
beat the Chesterfield Spires by 58 points to 8.
The league was renamed Rugby League Merit League (RLML) for the 2008 season due to its increased geographical spread with teams from the North of England taking part. 2009 saw the largest ever entry, with over 30 teams split into two leagues; "Yorkshire and Humber" and "North West" with the Midlands Rugby League
becoming its own competition using merit league rules.
In 2010 the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League
and North West Merit League became separate competitions.
In 2012 the North West Merit League will become the development division of the North West Men's League
http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/burybroncos/s/team-news-3730.html?news_id=338337&archive_id=4282.
The North West Merit League is the lowest level on the Rugby League Conference
pyramid for clubs in the North West of England.
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
competition for clubs in the North West of England. It is a feeder league for the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
.
History
The Midlands Merit League was founded in late 2005 to support the growth of rugby league in non-heartland areas. Originally intended as a stand-alone league, support from the Rugby Football LeagueRugby Football League
The Rugby Football League is the governing body for professional rugby league football in England. Based at Red Hall in Leeds, it administers the England national rugby league team, the Challenge Cup, Super League and the Rugby League Championships...
meant that it could be administered as part of the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
set-up. Interest quickly gathered with 13 teams showing an interest in participating in the inaugural season - 8 eventually participated. The first ever game took place on April 8, 2006 at All Saints Sports College, Sheffield
Sheffield
Sheffield is a city and metropolitan borough of South Yorkshire, England. Its name derives from the River Sheaf, which runs through the city. Historically a part of the West Riding of Yorkshire, and with some of its southern suburbs annexed from Derbyshire, the city has grown from its largely...
, where the Sheffield Forgers
Sheffield Forgers
Sheffield Forgers RLFC was a rugby league club in Sheffield, England. It has an Open Age team that plays in the summer in the Rugby League Conference and the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League and in the winter in the Pennine League It is also developing a junior section.-Foundation:The genesis of the...
beat the Chesterfield Spires by 58 points to 8.
The league was renamed Rugby League Merit League (RLML) for the 2008 season due to its increased geographical spread with teams from the North of England taking part. 2009 saw the largest ever entry, with over 30 teams split into two leagues; "Yorkshire and Humber" and "North West" with the Midlands Rugby League
Midlands Rugby League
The 3vSport.com Midlands Rugby League is a summer rugby league tournament in the Midlands region of England. It is a feeder league to the Rugby League Conference and a successor league to the Midlands Merit League...
becoming its own competition using merit league rules.
In 2010 the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League
Yorkshire & Humber Merit League
The Yorkshire & Humber Merit League is a rugby league competition for clubs in Yorkshire and the Humber. It is a feeder league for the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
and North West Merit League became separate competitions.
In 2012 the North West Merit League will become the development division of the North West Men's League
North West Men's League
The North West Men's League is a rugby league competition for clubs in the North West of England. It is a successor league for the Rugby League Conference also comprising clubs from the North West Counties League following some of the latter switching to summer to follow the National Conference...
http://www.pitchero.com/clubs/burybroncos/s/team-news-3730.html?news_id=338337&archive_id=4282.
Rugby League Conference Pyramid
- RLC NationalRugby League Conference National DivisionThe Rugby League Conference National Division is the highest division in the Rugby League Conference. Between 2003 and 2006, it was known as National League Three.-National League Three:...
- RLC North West PremierRugby League Conference North West PremierThe Rugby League Conference North West Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference for teams in the North West of England.It was first contested in 2008 following the break-up of the previous North Premier into the North West and Yorkshire Premiers....
- RLC North WestRugby League Conference North West DivisionThe Rugby League Conference North West Division is a division in the Rugby League Conference for teams in the North West of England.-History:...
- North West Merit League
The North West Merit League is the lowest level on the Rugby League Conference
Rugby League Conference
The Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
pyramid for clubs in the North West of England.
2011 structure
- The following teams participated
|
Participating teams by season
- 2010: Accrington Panthers, Ashton Bears, Burnley & Pendle, Chester Gladiators A, Crewe & Nantwich Steamers A, East Lancashire Vikings, Ellesmere Port, Little Hulton Reds, Mancunians RL A, Wigan Riversiders B
Midlands Merit League Championship
| 2006 | South Humber Rabbitohs | 42-18 | Nottingham Outlaws Academy |
| 2007 | St Helens Wild Boars | 46-22 | German Exiles |
Midlands Merit League Shield
| 2007 | East Riding RLC | 32-26 | Nottingham Outlaws Academy |
| 2008 | Nottingham Outlaws Academy | 34-32 | Sheffield Forgers |
RL Merit League
| 2008 | Moorends-Thorne Marauders ML | 28-18 | Wigan Riversiders |
| 2009 North West pool | Huyton Bulldogs | 36-12 | Wigan Eels |
| 2009 Grand final | Upton RL | 52-24 | Huyton Bulldogs |
North West Merit League
| 2010 | Ashton Bears A | 33 - 30 | East Lancashire Vikings |
See also
- British rugby league system
- Rugby League ConferenceRugby League ConferenceThe Rugby League Conference , was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.The RLC was founded as the 10-team Southern Conference League in 1997, with teams from the southern midlands and the...
- North West Men's LeagueNorth West Men's LeagueThe North West Men's League is a rugby league competition for clubs in the North West of England. It is a successor league for the Rugby League Conference also comprising clubs from the North West Counties League following some of the latter switching to summer to follow the National Conference...