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Open letter - league structure

Started by backrowbandit, May 16, 2025, 10:04 PM

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backrowbandit

Loving all rugby but especially at grassroots level.

Sail By


Flaggy

Excellent and very Eloquent BRB. We would have no problem supporting this. In fact it makes total sense. Please advise if you need any rounding up of support for it to presented to the powers that be.
FORMERLY Ribbflagman.

backrowbandit

I think if clubs are in agreement... They could send letters to Yorkshire RFU and the RFU it would be helpful.
Loving all rugby but especially at grassroots level.

avinastella

"Bother!" said Pooh, as he found his smack had talc in it.

avinastella

Quote from: backrowbandit on May 16, 2025, 10:04 PMPlease find a link to an open letter:

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DZ4YBGKbT/
Following up on this i noticed it was discussed at the June YRFU committee meeting.

Scarborough RUFC

9.  Proposal from Scarborough RUFC for a 14-team league as opposed to the 12-team league.   
Hon Secretary, D Rathmell, informed that the proposal is being considered by the RFU Competitions
Development Committee, North ROC and Yorkshire Competitions Committee.
Actions: Rugby Development Chair, T Wicks to draft letter for District Chairs to cascade to clubs for
their views.  Subsequently District Chairs to send recommendation to Yorkshire Competitions
Committee for consideration. East district Chair, B Webster, to feed back this committees' response to
all clubs at next week's district meeting.
"Bother!" said Pooh, as he found his smack had talc in it.

Rugby01

I appreciate it has only been two months since the decision was taken but does anyone know if their club has received a letter asking for their club's views regarding Scarborough's proposal?

Has Scarborough had any feedback they would like to share?

avinastella

Quote from: Rugby01 on Jul 29, 2025, 07:07 PMI appreciate it has only been two months since the decision was taken but does anyone know if their club has received a letter asking for their club's views regarding Scarborough's proposal?

Has Scarborough had any feedback they would like to share?
Certainly not heard anything from YRFU
"Bother!" said Pooh, as he found his smack had talc in it.

avinastella

#8
The letter from YRFU has finally landed regarding the Scarborough letter.
Not sure what's going on though. They appear to be looking at it applying to clubs below L6 - even when the request was made from L6. Trying to snak in the 2nd teams into the leagues again.
See attached.
"Bother!" said Pooh, as he found his smack had talc in it.

Differ Lid

52 Yorkshire sides play between Yorkshire 1 and Yorkshire 4. The Maths don't add up. Either having 3 14 team leagues and then the Yorkshire 4 clubs are having to increase travel to become a 10-team league, or an additional 4 – 6 teams need to be found within the county.

The Yorkshire Premiership now only consists of 7 sides, meaning the best 2nd teams in the county are only playing 12 competitive games this season, that's not enough to maintain the integrity of the league, or to maintain players interest in a competition. Somehow having a strong 2nd XV has become a hinderance.

Give 2nd XVs a list of criteria they must meet before entering the league, create strict rules around eligible players. But holding back a select number of clubs from being able to develop and progress based on the opinion that sides might start stock piling players isn't helping rugby in our region for all clubs.
 
14 team leagues with reduced travel only works by introducing some new teams into the leagues, and I haven't seen many new clubs being established recently, so where are these sides coming from to create this league system everyone hopes for?



avinastella

I'd say travel is a red herring when you consider they brought in that nonsense pizz pot competition. More so with the imposition on of play offs at R1/R2, especially when the guy who imposed it contradicts himself in his own flawed explanation.
"Bother!" said Pooh, as he found his smack had talc in it.

Kellythorpe

If the counties leagues moved to 14 teams, some clubs from counties 4 North and South would need to move up. If replacements then came from 2nd teams and presently in Yorkshire premiership league considerable travelling would be involved. Such 2nds are from wharfedale, Ilkley, Sheffield teams Ionians and Driffield. One feels the remaining counties 4 teams maybe resist such travelling and maybe withdraw? It would put up their travelling expenses considerably from present.

avinastella

Seems someone went beyond their remit so looks like no need to worry about 2nd XVs.

"I have been informed that the letter should have stated that this relates to clubs at Level 5 and below - Yorkshire RFU only manages these levels.
However, given the suggestion that the decision regarding lower XVs being allowed to enter RFU leagues may need to be reviewed, I'd say this matter has the potential to impact all clubs."

Basically, you can't put it to a vote then ignore the result - well, not without pushback.
"Bother!" said Pooh, as he found his smack had talc in it.

Oldandslow

Excellent letter and I'm sure most Yorkshire would support.

I know the longer break over the Christmas period has already been suggested by clubs in the south east so could have wider support.