New leagues 2025-2026

[backrowbandit]

It's odd that the one thing they don't want to consider is 14 team leagues?

[Flaggy]

BRB
     Why would anybody at HQ consider the thoughts of any of us bottom fishing clubs. We are given no respect at all and then just expected to tow the party line. Not acceptable.

[backrowbandit]

But I can't see why they would die on a hill for something that really makes no difference to them? Unless some people are just digging their heels in to save face....

[crash ball]

I'm not a big fan of play-offs. All the effort that goes into securing a runner-up spot over the course of the season can be completely undone by losing to a team that finished well below you in the standings. It just doesn't sit right with me, though I understand others may see it differently.

I recognise that those in charge are trying to recover from reducing league sizes and the backlash surrounding an unpopular cup competition. But this feels like yet another short-term fix rather than a well-thought-out solution.

Ideally, I'd like to see a return to 14-team leagues for the 2026/27 season, with a Yorkshire Cup competition running throughout the year and culminating in finals at the season's end. There's simply not enough enthusiasm among players or clubs for a post-season cup competition—especially one plagued by walkovers, long travel, and added costs.

Ultimately, I suspect the proposed changes will go through, regardless of whether they have the full backing of the clubs.

[avinastella]

It's ironic that the guy bangs on about jeopardy but they all roll over when the PRL say no.

[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.

Seems you haven't appealed loud enough. Tigers complained and have had their move to Nat2 West turned over. They are staying in the North - according to their facebook page.
Perhaps you need to look at the situation again.

[avinastella]

Here's the Tigers facebook post.

Dear Tigers members, players and supporters,
Last Thursday, the 15th May, the Committee were told the clubs 1st XV would be transferred to National 2 West next season.
Since then the Committee, led by Paul digging his heels in and phoning John Inverdale on a daily basis, have communicated with various RFU officials to politely point out the financial and player availability ramifications of a team from Sheffield being asked to travel to Cambourne, Redruth, Exeter, Barnstaple, Taunton, Weston-Super-Mare, Bristol, etc.
We are delighted to say that the RFU have just announced Tigers will remain in National 2 North next season and this will be made public very shortly.
We would like to apologise for not keeping everyone informed during the various discussions and overtures being made to the RFU on behalf of the club, but we were being told almost daily a decision will be made imminently, only for it to be delayed again and again while the RFU convened an emergency working group to discuss next seasons make-up of the National Leagues given our stance.
We completely understand the RFU needed time to examine the matter properly and professionally, so hope you also understand the position we were put in where there was no good news to convey, until now!
We have been told no other club has 'dug their heels in' until now with regards been transferred to another League, which is what made the RFU reverse their original decision and, as importantly, look to review the whole National League structure going forward.
As we now look to push on with various club projects to improve the clubhouse and grounds, we sincerely hope you will all join together with us on the journey to revitalise our great club which we all love dearly. If we won't do it no-one else will.
Kind regards,
Sheffield Tigers RUFC Committee

[BigBadWolf69]

Playoffs is a great idea..

Add some jeopardy at the end of the season. I do however agree that 14 league teams is much easier for everyone.

I'm not a big fan of play-offs. All the effort that goes into securing a runner-up spot over the course of the season can be completely undone by losing to a team that finished well below you in the standings. It just doesn't sit right with me, though I understand others may see it differently.

I recognise that those in charge are trying to recover from reducing league sizes and the backlash surrounding an unpopular cup competition. But this feels like yet another short-term fix rather than a well-thought-out solution.

Ideally, I'd like to see a return to 14-team leagues for the 2026/27 season, with a Yorkshire Cup competition running throughout the year and culminating in finals at the season's end. There's simply not enough enthusiasm among players or clubs for a post-season cup competition—especially one plagued by walkovers, long travel, and added costs.

Ultimately, I suspect the proposed changes will go through, regardless of whether they have the full backing of the clubs.

[Flaggy]

The big difference between us and Tigers is that our increased mileage is relatively a low increase when theirs would have more than doubled their travel and probably tripled their costs as dont thiunk its feasable to travel to Cornwall and back in a day and warm up, play, warm down, be fed and get back on a coach as even from Sheffield its a 500-600 mile round trip for more than half their fixtures. Our gripe is not the distance but the increased costs as we will be unable to use the train network for any games other than Vale Of Lune (which will become our Derby game). As every other game is between 60 and 99 miles each way it will involve 9 buses and a Flight/ferry trip to the IOM.
Last season we used cars on two occasions, Train on four times(Maximun cost £380 including Ubers from station and return) and buses five times. Average cost £830, Max £920 - min £670
Whatever happens we have accepted our fate and hope we will acquit ourselves well, but, the cost will be crippling for a small community club such as ours.
As a complete aside can I ask all you R2NE posters to tell me what your admission fees were for last and next season.
Regards and good look to all. Sorry we wont be seeing you next season.
Flaggy.

[avinastella]

The big difference between us and Tigers is that our increased mileage is relatively a low increase when theirs would have more than doubled their travel and probably tripled their costs as dont thiunk its feasable to travel to Cornwall and back in a day and warm up, play, warm down, be fed and get back on a coach as even from Sheffield its a 500-600 mile round trip for more than half their fixtures. Our gripe is not the distance but the increased costs as we will be unable to use the train network for any games other than Vale Of Lune (which will become our Derby game). As every other game is between 60 and 99 miles each way it will involve 9 buses and a Flight/ferry trip to the IOM.
Last season we used cars on two occasions, Train on four times(Maximun cost £380 including Ubers from station and return) and buses five times. Average cost £830, Max £920 - min £670
Whatever happens we have accepted our fate and hope we will acquit ourselves well, but, the cost will be crippling for a small community club such as ours.
As a complete aside can I ask all you R2NE posters to tell me what your admission fees were for last and next season.
Regards and good look to all. Sorry we wont be seeing you next season.
Flaggy.

But Chester and Lymm are now having to do it.

[backrowbandit]

The big difference between us and Tigers is that our increased mileage is relatively a low increase when theirs would have more than doubled their travel and probably tripled their costs as dont thiunk its feasable to travel to Cornwall and back in a day and warm up, play, warm down, be fed and get back on a coach as even from Sheffield its a 500-600 mile round trip for more than half their fixtures. Our gripe is not the distance but the increased costs as we will be unable to use the train network for any games other than Vale Of Lune (which will become our Derby game). As every other game is between 60 and 99 miles each way it will involve 9 buses and a Flight/ferry trip to the IOM.
Last season we used cars on two occasions, Train on four times(Maximun cost £380 including Ubers from station and return) and buses five times. Average cost £830, Max £920 - min £670
Whatever happens we have accepted our fate and hope we will acquit ourselves well, but, the cost will be crippling for a small community club such as ours.
As a complete aside can I ask all you R2NE posters to tell me what your admission fees were for last and next season.
Regards and good look to all. Sorry we wont be seeing you next season.
Flaggy.

Scarborough

Non-members £8
Members £6
Under 18s Free of charge.

You should perhaps also ask what people get for their money....

[BigBadWolf69]

Double this year to pay mr Fodens wages? 😉

The big difference between us and Tigers is that our increased mileage is relatively a low increase when theirs would have more than doubled their travel and probably tripled their costs as dont thiunk its feasable to travel to Cornwall and back in a day and warm up, play, warm down, be fed and get back on a coach as even from Sheffield its a 500-600 mile round trip for more than half their fixtures. Our gripe is not the distance but the increased costs as we will be unable to use the train network for any games other than Vale Of Lune (which will become our Derby game). As every other game is between 60 and 99 miles each way it will involve 9 buses and a Flight/ferry trip to the IOM.
Last season we used cars on two occasions, Train on four times(Maximun cost £380 including Ubers from station and return) and buses five times. Average cost £830, Max £920 - min £670
Whatever happens we have accepted our fate and hope we will acquit ourselves well, but, the cost will be crippling for a small community club such as ours.
As a complete aside can I ask all you R2NE posters to tell me what your admission fees were for last and next season.
Regards and good look to all. Sorry we wont be seeing you next season.
Flaggy.

Scarborough

Non-members £8
Members £6
Under 18s Free of charge.

You should perhaps also ask what people get for their money....

[backrowbandit]

nope - he's not on big money. Well, not by our standards 

[Flaggy]

Come on gents, please follow BRBs lead and tell me your admission charges for the season just finished.
PLEASE.

[Rob]

Come on gents, please follow BRBs lead and tell me your admission charges for the season just finished.
PLEASE.

Malt currently
£7.50
U18s Free
Season ticket valued which is bought alongside membership £40

It's part of a value for money review we are undertaking.