New leagues 2025-2026

[Forward Pass]

What are people's thoughts on this....

https://www.rfunorth.com/wp-content/uploads/go-x/u/dca69547-7831-449c-8ca9-e652324fe605/Structured-Season-25-26-Presentation-Playoffs-Regional-Only.pdf

[avinastella]

What are people's thoughts on this....

https://www.rfunorth.com/wp-content/uploads/go-x/u/dca69547-7831-449c-8ca9-e652324fe605/Structured-Season-25-26-Presentation-Playoffs-Regional-Only.pdf

A total crock of 💩
They just don't listen do they.
And just when do they think any county Cup games would be played? There are walkovers in them too but not as many as that tin pot pizza nonsense.

[avinastella]

Content of an email just received from ISB - League secretary. In his defence, he is just the messenger.


RFU Consultation for Regional One and Two Structure
The RFU are consulting with Regional One and Two clubs about the structure of the league and cup programme for future seasons.
Structured Season 25-26 Presentation - Playoffs - Regional Only
 
FOR CLUBS PLAYING IN REGIONAL 1 & 2 LEAGUES IN 2025/26
 
Dear Club
As many of you may know, in the last few months it has been agreed in principle to introduce playoffs through the National Leagues, starting next season. The overall sense was that play-offs would bring strong additional value to the league programme, and work is now underway to develop draft regulations to take back to the National League Rugby Executive for their input. These changes follow those adopted by 'Champ Rugby' (Tier 2) and as a result also present opportunities for us now to accelerate or look at potential similar initiatives to Regional levels of rugby across England. We know from Clubs at Regional level that there is appetite from many for change relating to the existing Cup model and we have been discussing formats to do this alongside the overall goal of offering a playing programme that maintains interest in the league season right to the end. We now want to speak to Clubs to get their ideas and feedback to shape the season at Regional levels, we think the introduction of playoffs could be an effective way to go but we want Clubs' help in shaping any future development.
We would therefore like to invite you to a webinar to gain your feedback on the existing league and cup schedule and a proposal for an alternative enhanced league programme that concludes with play-offs for promotion and relegation, as well as any other ideas you may have.  The below video from Terry Burwell, Chair of Adult Competitions Management Committee, and attached slide deck should bring to life the rationale for change as well as some ideas for potential changes to how the season is delivered.
 
https://we.tl/t-oTyMChhmCl
 
On the webinar, it would be ideal if your club had an administrator/committee member, DOR/Coach or a senior player. We would also request that you speak with your players prior to the meeting to get feedback on the options.  If you require any clarification or if you have any initial feedback or questions, please email Competitions-Development@rfu.com. It should be stressed that this is not a league review or restructure, the core principles of the current structured are retained, and any changes would constitute a change of regulation, potentially for season 25/26. The dates for webinars are split across different regional groupings of clubs, please sign up for the one that is most relevant to you.
 
We look forward to your contribution
 
Terry Burwell – Adult Competitions Chair – 07710 472824 - TerryBurwell@rfu.com
Chris Brookes – Adult Competitions Council Member – 07999 494378 - ChristopherBrookes@RFU.com
Ben Lowe – Player Experience Director RFU – 07595 863013 - BenLowe@RFU.com 
 
Additional background
·         At Regional level, the present Cup competition has been in place for three seasons and in 24/25 the level of clubs not entering or withdrawing from the competition has meant only 32/72 clubs at Regional One and 64/144 at Regional Two have participated.
·         Additional data evidence suggests reduced interest and player availability in post Xmas league fixtures with increased meaningless matches for a number of clubs in each league.
·         An alternative to the Cup competition is to focus on the league competition, providing greater promotion opportunity and increased interest and jeopardy through an end of season play-off model.
·         Teams winning each league are automatically promoted and qualify for a Champions Cup at each level of the competition providing high interest climax to season
·         Play-offs would take place in the window currently reserved for Cup competitions at end of season with no impact on County Championship schedule.
·         Increasing opportunity for promotion also increases jeopardy in the league programme
·         Clubs not involved in play-offs could participate in an end of season Cup competition if the demand is there to supply one
·         No change in league structure is required, only a change to regulation to define mechanism for promotion and relegation.

Dates for the webinars:
 
9th June – Regional One
6.00pm – Southeast * Southwest * Northeast
8.00pm – South Central * Midlands * Northwest
 
10th June – Regional Two
6.00pm – Southwest * Southeast * Midlands North
8.00pm – Severn * Anglia * Northwest
 
11th June – Regional Two
6.00pm – South Central * Midlands East * North
8.00pm – Thames * Midlands West * Northeast
 
 
Please complete the form in the following link to immediately receive the meeting link via email:
 
https://forms.office.com/e/gqjENEt5MV

[Flaggy]

WHICH PLANET do these people reside on because it is obviously not Earth.
 Given the number of clubs not entering and also the number of walkovers, why would any sane person think that the take up would be any different under another guise. PLEASE let common sense prevail and get back to 14 team leagues that will put all this nonsense to bed once and for all.
Another example (IMHO) of the powers that be not accepting what the majority of the clubs want but seem determined to extend the playing season into May when they keep telling us that players want to play fewer games. They do appear totally deaf to the clubs voices which I think is nothing short of a disgrace.
Looks like our county comps will take place in June to July (if they survive), What a complete joke. 

[Differ Lid]

I'm struggling to see the issue with the proposal.

Finish top and promotion
2nd - 5th enter a playoff, giving meaningful games throughout the season

12th & 11th relegated with 10th & 9th in a relegation playoff, again adding meaningful rugby for all clubs at the end of the season.

Not guaranteed another home fixture but it's on the cards.

Now I was a fan of the Cup competition at first so yet could be wrong again. But feel this does add extra league games, whilst ensuring the integrity of the leagues throughout the year.

[avinastella]

I'm struggling to see the issue with the proposal.

Finish top and promotion
2nd - 5th enter a playoff, giving meaningful games throughout the season

12th & 11th relegated with 10th & 9th in a relegation playoff, again adding meaningful rugby for all clubs at the end of the season.

Not guaranteed another home fixture but it's on the cards.

Now I was a fan of the Cup competition at first so yet could be wrong again. But feel this does add extra league games, whilst ensuring the integrity of the leagues throughout the year.

And totally contradicts their primary reason for cutting league sizes.
And what about their ridiculous suggestion of a cup competition for thos finishing mid table when they can't get teams to play in the current cup comps?
Remember, they were warned about all this when they lied to the clubs before they cut the leagues.
Have a watch of the video
https://we.tl/t-oTyMChhmCl

All this after extensive consultation. So, anyone been consulted? Nah, i didn't think so.

[avinastella]

BRB Your WOW is nothing compared to ours. I will not go into detail on here as I think it unfair if volunteers at whatever level are questioned (not criticised) on a public forum. The only thing I will say is this.
Regulation 6 (appendix 2.) States that a) Club with the total lowest mileage between them (Ribb and Crossleyans) and all the  clubs in the league to be augmented (Regional 2NW) shall be moved.
If you use the RFU travel tool that they state is used, "Google maps on default settings" Crocs travel is 4.9% less that ours and as such I believe they should have been moved before us, as the next criteria says that if the two clubs involved have "Almost identical mileage" defined as a difference of 2% then the club with the least mileage in the club they would have been in will stay in that league. That would favour Crocs no doubt.
How can a professional organisation as the RFU not simply follow their own regs. Having spoken to the chair of the "Deciding committee" I was told that there is ambiguity in the wording of the regs and the decision was not appealable. He expressed sympathy but told me that was the decision and nothing could be done about it.
There are also issues with the comms from North ROC but I will not go into that on here. We have to accept our fate which we firmly believe is in direct contradiction of the regs we all have to adhere to as they are written. Forgive the pun, but you couldnt write it. Same as the RFU legal Eagles.

Would the Chair of this committee be the same chap who's announced the latest play off fudge? Terry Burwell.

[Flaggy]

I can confirm that. Zero consultation for us lowlifes. Complete shambles that somebody at some point should be made to explain their decision making process and explain why we as the clubs that are affected by it have had no consultation. In my opinion this is why the RFU is held in low respect from the very clubs that it is supposed to represent.
Shambles yet again.

[davie]

I thought the whole point of the RFU documents was to start a discussion with clubs about these proposed changes? 
You can have your say at the Webinar.

[Flaggy]

Davie, dont worry I intend to speak on behalf of our club as well as (hopefully) other less vocal clubs. Its a total disgrace that we have not been consulted on possible changes to our season that, to me, seems to be in total contradiction of the reasons for reducing league sizes to 12 and then wanting to extend the season until May. Totally Bonkers.

[avinastella]

I thought the whole point of the RFU documents was to start a discussion with clubs about these proposed changes? 
You can have your say at the Webinar.

They've already decided.
It's the old classic from the RFU
"When we want your opinion, we'll give it to you."

Now, the interesting bit that they haven't mentioned is; What if a team doesn't want to go up? What if a team refuses to play in the play offs?

[davie]

Well they certainly acted that way when they reduced the leagues to 12 teams after claiming they'd consulted players etc who apparently weren't interested in playing rugby. I was hoping the shot across the Sweeney bow had perduaded them to do things properly.

[Flaggy]

It would appear not Davie. The latest ramblings on video from Terry Burwell says it all. Zero consultation from the clubs they are supposed to support.
When will it ever improve.?

[Flaggy]

Stella,
         I asked Mr Burwell that question and was told"Dont do that." Do you really want to start from the bottom level" Just like Worcester have not had to do despite not paying the bills left with their local suppliers. The RFU talk about morals and respectful standards but they simply do not show them in their actions. Double standards matched only in our country by the current lying government.

[Flaggy]

If a team doesnt play in the playoffs it will simply be another Walkover. They dont seem to get the message whatever happens.