Rugby League Conference National Division
Encyclopedia
The Rugby League Conference National Division (RLCN) is the highest division in the Rugby League Conference
. Between 2003 and 2006, it was known as National League Three.
down to National League Four. National League Three was to consist of British Amateur Rugby League Association
(BARLA) teams wishing to play in the summer whilst National League Four would be made up of Rugby League Conference
teams. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/1529249.stm. A system of promotion and relegation between National Leagues Three and the semi-professional National League Two
was to be gradually introduced. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/1844899.stm However, there were insufficient applicants for a separate National League Three and National League Four, thus the two leagues were merged into a combined National League Three.
National League Three was founded with ten clubs; six (Teesside Steelers, Manchester Knights, Coventry Bears
, Hemel Stags
, St Albans Centurions
and South London Storm (replacing Crawley Jets who elected to remain in the Rugby League Conference before the season started) came from the Rugby League Conference
and four came from BARLA leagues (Bradford Dudley Hill
, Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
and Warrington Woolston Rovers (now Warrington Wizards
) came from the National Conference League
and Huddersfield Underbank Rangers
came from the Pennine League
).http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/other-sports/2003/01/10/league-given-new-format-100252-12520728/ The league was split into two regions with sides playing everyone in their region twice and those outside once except for one cross-region team they played twice giving 14 fixtures.
The 2004 season saw an expansion to fourteen teams with Birmingham Bulldogs
, Carlisle Centurions
and Essex Eels elected from the Rugby League Conference
. Bramley Buffaloes
, was admitted as a new club, though they can also be considered as a reincarnation of the previous Bramley club, which had long played in the professional leagues. Gateshead Storm
also entered as late replacements for the defunct Teesside Steelers. The season was extended to twenty games starting a move towards a full season. Manchester Knights resigned from the league a few games before the end of the season.
Prior to the 2005 season South London Storm announced that they were joining the new Rugby League Conference South Premier
Division and Manchester Knights decided to enter the Rugby League Conference Central Premier (though they were replaced by Dewsbury Celtic after two games). The league went to a home-and-away setup with 22 fixtures. Carlisle Centurions and Birmingham Bulldogs failed to complete the season, Coventry Bears
and Essex Eels resigned after the season. Some felt the problems were a result of the change from a semi-regionalised structure to a full home and away set-up. All four of these found their way back into the Rugby League Conference
.
Dewsbury Celtic
moved up from the Rugby League Conference
Central Premier and Featherstone Lions
, just a month after failing to finish the season in the National Conference League
, were accepted to National League Three to give it ten members for the 2006 season.
A few weeks into the 2006 season Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
withdrew, and Bradford Dudley Hill returned to the National Conference League after the season. St Albans Centurions
also decided to join the Rugby League Conference Premier South Division, which left Hemel Stags
as the only South of England team in the league.
, rebranded as the Rugby League Conference National Division with the addition of three new teams from the Rugby League Conference North Premier (Leeds Akkies, Cottingham Phoenix and East Lancashire Lions). It is thought the rebranding was due to the number of teams withdrawing and the number of forfeited fixtures harming the image of the National Leagues as a whole, which was an issue while looking for a new sponsor.
The new National Division was much more based around the North of England with Hemel the only non-Northern team. This seemed to add stability to the league and while Cottingham Phoenix
were expelled there were no further withdrawals and a much higher fixture fulfilment rate.
The 2008 season saw Crusaders join the league for one season as they launched their Colts academy team too late to make the deadline for the reserves league. Liverpool Buccaneers
also joined the league while Leeds Akkies dropped down to the Rugby League Conference Premier North. Bramley finished top of the league but the Colts won the Grand Final. During this season there were no withdrawals from the league and like the previous season a high fixture fulfilment rate.
In 2009, the league saw its first significant expansion since the name change, with Nottingham Outlaws making their debut and Carlisle Centurions
returning to the league while Celtic Crusaders Colts joined the Super League
Reserve grade
and the Gilette National Youth League
(older players in the former, Under 18s in the latter).
The National Division in 2010 will see Kippax Knights
join the ranks following their elevation after winning the Yorkshire Premier title in 2009, with Gateshead Storm moving to the North East competition (where they merged with Newcastle Knights) and East Lancashire Lions taking a season’s sabbatical to secure a new home base (they resurfaced as Accrington & Leyland Lions in the North West Premier Division in 2011). Carlisle Centurions and Liverpool Buccaneers failed to complete the season in 2010.
2011 is expected to be the last National Division and will see the return of 2004 winners Coventry Bears
and the return to Wales with Welsh Champions Valley Cougars
stepping up. A return to Gateshead with a new team Gateshead Lightning (reserve team for Gateshead Thunder
) was intended, but they failed to start the season.
The National Division is the highest division in the Rugby League Conference
ranking above even the Premier divisions.
The teams play each other on a home and away basis. 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 Championships
. The winner of the grand final is awarded the RLC National title.
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...
. Between 2003 and 2006, it was known as National League Three.
National League Three
The original intention had been to create a pyramid of four divisions from Super LeagueSuper League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
down to National League Four. National League Three was to consist of British Amateur Rugby League Association
British Amateur Rugby League Association
The British Amateur Rugby League Association is the governing body for social and recreational rugby league in the United Kingdom...
(BARLA) teams wishing to play in the summer whilst National League Four would be made up of 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...
teams. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/1529249.stm. A system of promotion and relegation between National Leagues Three and the semi-professional National League Two
Rugby League National Leagues
The Championship, known as Co-operative Championship due to sponsorship by The Co-operative Group, is a professional rugby league competition based in the United Kingdom. It is currently contested by ten teams from England. It acts as Europe's second-tier competition below the Super League, and has...
was to be gradually introduced. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_league/1844899.stm However, there were insufficient applicants for a separate National League Three and National League Four, thus the two leagues were merged into a combined National League Three.
National League Three was founded with ten clubs; six (Teesside Steelers, Manchester Knights, Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002...
, Hemel Stags
Hemel Stags
Hemel Stags are a rugby league team based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire playing in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.The club has played in a number of leagues over the years, from the London League, MASWARLA, National Conference League and the Alliance League...
, St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier...
and South London Storm (replacing Crawley Jets who elected to remain in the Rugby League Conference before the season started) came from 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...
and four came from BARLA leagues (Bradford Dudley Hill
Bradford Dudley Hill
Bradford Dudley Hill Rugby League Club is an English rugby league team based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, now playing in the National Conference League.-History:...
, Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
Hillsborough Hawks RLFC is a rugby league club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The Open Age team plays winter rugby in the Pennine League...
and Warrington Woolston Rovers (now Warrington Wizards
Warrington Wizards
Warrington Wizards are a British rugby league team. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Warrington Woolston Rovers, a National Conference League team were invited to be founder members of the new National League Three, the 4th tier of British rugby league in...
) came from the National Conference League
National Conference League
The National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association...
and Huddersfield Underbank Rangers
Huddersfield Underbank Rangers
Huddersfield Underbank Rangers are a rugby league team based in Holmfirth near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference. The club also competes as Underbank Rangers in division 4 of the Pennine League. They also have an Underbank Rangers A...
came from the Pennine League
Pennine League
The Pennine Amateur Rugby League, or Pennine League is a rugby league competition for amateur open-age clubs that runs from September to April. The clubs are drawn from West Yorkshire, North Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and the east of Lancashire....
).http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/other-sports/2003/01/10/league-given-new-format-100252-12520728/ The league was split into two regions with sides playing everyone in their region twice and those outside once except for one cross-region team they played twice giving 14 fixtures.
The 2004 season saw an expansion to fourteen teams with Birmingham Bulldogs
Birmingham Bulldogs
Birmingham RLFC are a rugby league team based in Birmingham. They play in the Midlands Premier division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Birmingham Bulldogs were founded in 1989...
, Carlisle Centurions
Carlisle Centurions
East Cumbria Crusaders is a rugby league club based in Carlisle, Cumbria. They play in the North East Division of the Rugby League Conference. Their home ground is Creighton RUFC....
and Essex Eels elected from 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...
. Bramley Buffaloes
Bramley Buffaloes
Bramley Buffaloes is a rugby league club from the Bramley area of West Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Previously known simply as Bramley RLFC, the club is a famous name in rugby league, having existed prior to the formation of the Northern Union in 1895...
, was admitted as a new club, though they can also be considered as a reincarnation of the previous Bramley club, which had long played in the professional leagues. Gateshead Storm
Gateshead Storm
Newcastle Storm are an amateur rugby league club in the North East of England. They play in the North East Premier of the Rugby League Conference.-Newcastle Knights:...
also entered as late replacements for the defunct Teesside Steelers. The season was extended to twenty games starting a move towards a full season. Manchester Knights resigned from the league a few games before the end of the season.
Prior to the 2005 season South London Storm announced that they were joining the new Rugby League Conference South Premier
Rugby League Conference South Premier
The Rugby League Conference South Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league in the South of England...
Division and Manchester Knights decided to enter the Rugby League Conference Central Premier (though they were replaced by Dewsbury Celtic after two games). The league went to a home-and-away setup with 22 fixtures. Carlisle Centurions and Birmingham Bulldogs failed to complete the season, Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002...
and Essex Eels resigned after the season. Some felt the problems were a result of the change from a semi-regionalised structure to a full home and away set-up. All four of these found their way back into 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...
.
Dewsbury Celtic
Dewsbury Celtic
Dewsbury Celtic is a rugby league club in the town of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference and have a thriving junior section...
moved up from 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...
Central Premier and Featherstone Lions
Featherstone Lions
Featherstone Lions are an amateur rugby league club from Featherstone, West Yorkshire who play in the Rugby League Conference National Division and the CMS Yorkshire league Division 3. The under-18 team play in the Gilette National Youth League....
, just a month after failing to finish the season in the National Conference League
National Conference League
The National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association...
, were accepted to National League Three to give it ten members for the 2006 season.
A few weeks into the 2006 season Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks
Hillsborough Hawks RLFC is a rugby league club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The Open Age team plays winter rugby in the Pennine League...
withdrew, and Bradford Dudley Hill returned to the National Conference League after the season. St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions
St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier...
also decided to join the Rugby League Conference Premier South Division, which left Hemel Stags
Hemel Stags
Hemel Stags are a rugby league team based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire playing in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.The club has played in a number of leagues over the years, from the London League, MASWARLA, National Conference League and the Alliance League...
as the only South of England team in the league.
Rugby League Conference National Division
In 2007 the National League Three teams were absorbed into the Rugby League ConferenceRugby 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...
, rebranded as the Rugby League Conference National Division with the addition of three new teams from the Rugby League Conference North Premier (Leeds Akkies, Cottingham Phoenix and East Lancashire Lions). It is thought the rebranding was due to the number of teams withdrawing and the number of forfeited fixtures harming the image of the National Leagues as a whole, which was an issue while looking for a new sponsor.
The new National Division was much more based around the North of England with Hemel the only non-Northern team. This seemed to add stability to the league and while Cottingham Phoenix
Cottingham Phoenix
Cottingham Phoenix are a rugby league team based in Cottingham, East Riding of Yorkshire. They play in the Yorkshire Premier division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:...
were expelled there were no further withdrawals and a much higher fixture fulfilment rate.
The 2008 season saw Crusaders join the league for one season as they launched their Colts academy team too late to make the deadline for the reserves league. Liverpool Buccaneers
Liverpool Buccaneers
Liverpool Buccaneers Rugby League Football Club are an amateur rugby league club from West Derby in Liverpool. The team play home games at Sefton RUFC in West Derby. Currently they play in the North West Premier division of the Rugby League Conference and the North West Merit League.-History:The...
also joined the league while Leeds Akkies dropped down to the Rugby League Conference Premier North. Bramley finished top of the league but the Colts won the Grand Final. During this season there were no withdrawals from the league and like the previous season a high fixture fulfilment rate.
In 2009, the league saw its first significant expansion since the name change, with Nottingham Outlaws making their debut and Carlisle Centurions
Carlisle Centurions
East Cumbria Crusaders is a rugby league club based in Carlisle, Cumbria. They play in the North East Division of the Rugby League Conference. Their home ground is Creighton RUFC....
returning to the league while Celtic Crusaders Colts joined the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
Reserve grade
Rugby League Reserve Team Championship
The Rugby League Reserve Team Championship is a rugby league competition for the reserve teams of the British based Super League clubs. Having a reserve team is a compulsory part of the minimum criteria to hold a Super League license, but Catalans Dragons have dispensation to run their reserve team...
and the Gilette National Youth League
Gilette National Youth League
The Gilette National Youth League is a British rugby league tournament at under-18 level. It was previous known as the Halifax Home Insurance National Youth League.It is the second tier competition at under-18s...
(older players in the former, Under 18s in the latter).
The National Division in 2010 will see Kippax Knights
Kippax Knights
Kippax Knights are a rugby league team based in Kippax, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the Rugby League Conference National Division.Kippax Knights play at the Long Dyke Lane ground also used by Pennine League club Kippax Welfare.-History:...
join the ranks following their elevation after winning the Yorkshire Premier title in 2009, with Gateshead Storm moving to the North East competition (where they merged with Newcastle Knights) and East Lancashire Lions taking a season’s sabbatical to secure a new home base (they resurfaced as Accrington & Leyland Lions in the North West Premier Division in 2011). Carlisle Centurions and Liverpool Buccaneers failed to complete the season in 2010.
2011 is expected to be the last National Division and will see the return of 2004 winners Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears
Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002...
and the return to Wales with Welsh Champions Valley Cougars
Valley Cougars
Valley Cougars are a rugby league team based in Caerphilly. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference-History:They were founded in 1975 and joined the Welsh Division of the Rugby League Conference in 2003. They led a nomadic existence for their first few years in the valleys...
stepping up. A return to Gateshead with a new team Gateshead Lightning (reserve team for Gateshead Thunder
Gateshead Thunder
Gateshead Thunder is a professional rugby league club based in Gateshead, Tyne and Wear in England. They currently play in the Championship 1 competition, the third tier of rugby league in the United Kingdom...
) was intended, but they failed to start the season.
Rugby League Conference Pyramid
- RLC National
- Yorkshire WestRugby League Conference Yorkshire PremierThe Rugby League Conference Yorkshire Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference for teams in the Yorkshire area.It was first contested in 2008 following the break-up of the previous North Premier into the North West and Yorkshire Premiers....
/ Yorkshire EastRugby League Conference Yorkshire PremierThe Rugby League Conference Yorkshire Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference for teams in the Yorkshire area.It was first contested in 2008 following the break-up of the previous North Premier into the North West and Yorkshire Premiers....
/ 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....
/ MidlandsRugby League Conference Midlands PremierThe Rugby League Conference Midlands Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league in the English Midlands.It was first contested in 2006. Many of the clubs run juniors in the Midlands Junior League....
/ South PremierRugby League Conference South PremierThe Rugby League Conference South Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference. It is the highest level of amateur rugby league in the South of England...
/ Welsh PremierRugby League Conference Welsh PremierThe Rugby League Conference Wales is the higher of two Welsh domestic leagues for the sport of rugby league. It forms a Premier division of the Rugby League Conference competition which covers all of Great Britain.-History:...
/ North East PremierRugby League Conference North East DivisionThe Rugby League Conference North East Division is a division in the Rugby League Conference, an amateur rugby league competition with sides from across Britain...
/ Scottish Premier Division - RLC Regional divisions
- London LeagueLondon League (rugby league)The London, South and East Merit League is a rugby league competition founded in 1965. It is also known as the London League , London & South East Merit League, London Amateur Rugby League and London Merit League ....
/ Midlands Rugby LeagueMidlands Rugby LeagueThe 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...
/ Eastern Merit League / Yorkshire & Humber Merit LeagueYorkshire & Humber Merit LeagueThe 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:...
/ North West Merit LeagueNorth West Merit LeagueThe 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.-History:...
The National Division is the highest division in 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...
ranking above even the Premier divisions.
2011 Rugby League Conference National Division
| Club | Founded | Location | RLC Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bramley Buffaloes Bramley Buffaloes Bramley Buffaloes is a rugby league club from the Bramley area of West Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Previously known simply as Bramley RLFC, the club is a famous name in rugby league, having existed prior to the formation of the Northern Union in 1895... |
1879 | Leeds Leeds Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial... |
National League Three: 2006 RLC National: 2009 |
| Coventry Bears Coventry Bears Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002... |
1996 | Coventry Coventry Coventry is a city and metropolitan borough in the county of West Midlands in England. Coventry is the 9th largest city in England and the 11th largest in the United Kingdom. It is also the second largest city in the English Midlands, after Birmingham, with a population of 300,848, although... |
Western Division: 2000 Midlands Division: 2001 2002 Harry Jepson Trophy: 2002 National League 3: 2004 Midlands Premier: 2007, 2009, 2010 |
| Dewsbury Celtic Dewsbury Celtic Dewsbury Celtic is a rugby league club in the town of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference and have a thriving junior section... |
1879 | Dewsbury Dewsbury Dewsbury is a minster town in the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. It is to the west of Wakefield, east of Huddersfield and south of Leeds... , Kirklees Kirklees The Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees is a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 401,000 and includes the settlements of Batley, Birstall, Cleckheaton, Denby Dale, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, Kirkburton, Marsden, Meltham, Mirfield and Slaithwaite... |
- |
| Featherstone Lions Featherstone Lions Featherstone Lions are an amateur rugby league club from Featherstone, West Yorkshire who play in the Rugby League Conference National Division and the CMS Yorkshire league Division 3. The under-18 team play in the Gilette National Youth League.... |
1994 | Featherstone Featherstone Featherstone is a town and civil parish in the City of Wakefield in West Yorkshire, England. It lies south-west of Pontefract and has a population of 14,175.Featherstone railway station is on the Pontefract Line.-History:... , Wakefield Wakefield Wakefield is the main settlement and administrative centre of the City of Wakefield, a metropolitan district of West Yorkshire, England. Located by the River Calder on the eastern edge of the Pennines, the urban area is and had a population of 76,886 in 2001.... |
National Division: 2007 |
| Hemel Stags Hemel Stags Hemel Stags are a rugby league team based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire playing in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.The club has played in a number of leagues over the years, from the London League, MASWARLA, National Conference League and the Alliance League... |
1981 | Hemel Hempstead Hemel Hempstead Hemel Hempstead is a town in Hertfordshire in the East of England, to the north west of London and part of the Greater London Urban Area. The population at the 2001 Census was 81,143 .... , Hertfordshire Hertfordshire Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and... |
Eastern Division: 2000 South Central Division: 2001, 2002 |
| Huddersfield Underbank Rangers Huddersfield Underbank Rangers Huddersfield Underbank Rangers are a rugby league team based in Holmfirth near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference. The club also competes as Underbank Rangers in division 4 of the Pennine League. They also have an Underbank Rangers A... |
1989 | Holmfirth Holmfirth Holmfirth is a small town located on the A6024 Woodhead Road in the Holme Valley, within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, West Yorkshire, England. Centred upon the confluence of the Holme and Ribble rivers, Holmfirth is south of Huddersfield and from Glossop. It mostly consists of... , Kirklees Kirklees The Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees is a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, England. It has a population of 401,000 and includes the settlements of Batley, Birstall, Cleckheaton, Denby Dale, Dewsbury, Heckmondwike, Holmfirth, Huddersfield, Kirkburton, Marsden, Meltham, Mirfield and Slaithwaite... |
National Division: 2011 |
| Kippax Knights Kippax Knights Kippax Knights are a rugby league team based in Kippax, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the Rugby League Conference National Division.Kippax Knights play at the Long Dyke Lane ground also used by Pennine League club Kippax Welfare.-History:... |
2009 | Kippax, West Yorkshire Kippax, West Yorkshire Kippax is a village and civil parish in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough, West Yorkshire, England. It is situated in the east of the city, near to Garforth and Great Preston.... |
RLC Yorkshire Premier: 2009 |
| Nottingham Outlaws | 1998 | Nottingham Nottingham Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group... |
North Midlands Division: 2003, 2004 Midlands Premier: 2006, 2008 Harry Jepson Trophy: 2008 |
| Valley Cougars Valley Cougars Valley Cougars are a rugby league team based in Caerphilly. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference-History:They were founded in 1975 and joined the Welsh Division of the Rugby League Conference in 2003. They led a nomadic existence for their first few years in the valleys... |
2001 | Nelson, Caerphilly Caerphilly (county borough) Caerphilly is a county borough in southern Wales, straddling the ancient county boundary between Glamorgan and Monmouthshire.Its main town is Caerphilly, and also the largest... , Wales Wales Wales is a country that is part of the United Kingdom and the island of Great Britain, bordered by England to its east and the Atlantic Ocean and Irish Sea to its west. It has a population of three million, and a total area of 20,779 km²... |
Welsh Premier: 2008, 2010 |
| Warrington Wizards Warrington Wizards Warrington Wizards are a British rugby league team. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Warrington Woolston Rovers, a National Conference League team were invited to be founder members of the new National League Three, the 4th tier of British rugby league in... |
2003 | Warrington Warrington Warrington is a town, borough and unitary authority area of Cheshire, England. It stands on the banks of the River Mersey, which is tidal to the west of the weir at Howley. It lies 16 miles east of Liverpool, 19 miles west of Manchester and 8 miles south of St Helens... |
National League Three: 2003 RLC National: 2010 |
The teams play each other on a home and away basis. The top six teams then enter the end of season play-offs in the same format as the play-offs for the Super League
Super League
Super League is the top-level professional rugby league football club competition in Europe. As a result of sponsorship from engage Mutual Assurance the competition is currently officially known as the engage Super League. The League features fourteen teams: thirteen from England and one from...
and Championships
Rugby League National Leagues
The Championship, known as Co-operative Championship due to sponsorship by The Co-operative Group, is a professional rugby league competition based in the United Kingdom. It is currently contested by ten teams from England. It acts as Europe's second-tier competition below the Super League, and has...
. The winner of the grand final is awarded the RLC National title.
League standings
Note: The standings given are from the regular season, thus some teams listed 1st did not go on to win the play-offs (and vice versa).| Current Teams | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Birmingham Bulldogs Birmingham Bulldogs Birmingham RLFC are a rugby league team based in Birmingham. They play in the Midlands Premier division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Birmingham Bulldogs were founded in 1989... |
x | 8th | DNF | x | x | x | x | x |
| Bradford Dudley Hill Bradford Dudley Hill Bradford Dudley Hill Rugby League Club is an English rugby league team based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, now playing in the National Conference League.-History:... |
1st | 2nd | 1st | 6th3 | x | x | x | x |
| Bramley Buffaloes Bramley Buffaloes Bramley Buffaloes is a rugby league club from the Bramley area of West Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Previously known simply as Bramley RLFC, the club is a famous name in rugby league, having existed prior to the formation of the Northern Union in 1895... |
x | 5th | 2nd | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st | 1st |
| Carlisle Centurions Carlisle Centurions East Cumbria Crusaders is a rugby league club based in Carlisle, Cumbria. They play in the North East Division of the Rugby League Conference. Their home ground is Creighton RUFC.... |
x | 12th | DNF | x | x | x | 9th | x |
| Crusaders Colts | x | x | x | x | x | 2nd | x | x |
| Cottingham Phoenix Cottingham Phoenix Cottingham Phoenix are a rugby league team based in Cottingham, East Riding of Yorkshire. They play in the Yorkshire Premier division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:... |
x | x | x | x | DNF | x | x | x |
| Coventry Bears Coventry Bears Coventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002... |
8th | 1st | 7th | x | x | x | x | x |
| Crawley Jets | DNS | x | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Dewsbury Celtic Dewsbury Celtic Dewsbury Celtic is a rugby league club in the town of Dewsbury, West Yorkshire. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference and have a thriving junior section... |
x | x | x | 5th | 4th | 9th | 8th | 6th |
| East Lancashire Lions East Lancashire Lions East Lancashire Lions is a rugby league club from Darwen in Lancashire. They currently play in the Rugby League Conference National Division. The Lions play their home games at the Anchor Ground, home of Darwen FC.-History:... |
x | x | x | x | 8th | 10th | 10th | x |
| Essex Eels | x | 14th | 10th | x | x | x | x | x |
| Featherstone Lions Featherstone Lions Featherstone Lions are an amateur rugby league club from Featherstone, West Yorkshire who play in the Rugby League Conference National Division and the CMS Yorkshire league Division 3. The under-18 team play in the Gilette National Youth League.... |
x | x | x | 9th | 2nd | 4th | 3rd | 7th |
| Gateshead Storm Gateshead Storm Newcastle Storm are an amateur rugby league club in the North East of England. They play in the North East Premier of the Rugby League Conference.-Newcastle Knights:... |
x | 13th | 9th | 8th | 9th | 7th | 11th | x |
| Hemel Stags Hemel Stags Hemel Stags are a rugby league team based in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire playing in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.The club has played in a number of leagues over the years, from the London League, MASWARLA, National Conference League and the Alliance League... |
10th | 6th | 6th | 2nd | 6th | 8th | 5th | 3rd |
| Huddersfield Underbank Rangers Huddersfield Underbank Rangers Huddersfield Underbank Rangers are a rugby league team based in Holmfirth near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference. The club also competes as Underbank Rangers in division 4 of the Pennine League. They also have an Underbank Rangers A... |
6th | 9th | 8th | 7th | 5th | 5th | 2nd | 4th |
| Leeds Akkies Leeds Akkies Leeds Akkies are a rugby league team based in The Old Modernians Sports Club, Cookridge Lane, Leeds, LS16 7ND, West Yorkshire. They play in the Yorkshire Regional division of the Rugby League Conference, their A side plays in the Yorkshire & Humber Merit League.-History:Leeds Akademiks were founded... |
x | x | x | x | 7th | x | x | x |
| Liverpool Buccaneers Liverpool Buccaneers Liverpool Buccaneers Rugby League Football Club are an amateur rugby league club from West Derby in Liverpool. The team play home games at Sefton RUFC in West Derby. Currently they play in the North West Premier division of the Rugby League Conference and the North West Merit League.-History:The... |
x | x | x | x | x | 6th | 7th | DNF/9th4 |
| Manchester Knights | 9th | DNF/11th2 | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Nottingham Outlaws | x | x | x | x | x | x | 4th | 8th |
| Kippax Knights Kippax Knights Kippax Knights are a rugby league team based in Kippax, West Yorkshire, England. They play in the Rugby League Conference National Division.Kippax Knights play at the Long Dyke Lane ground also used by Pennine League club Kippax Welfare.-History:... |
x | x | x | x | x | x | x | 5th |
| Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks Sheffield Hillsborough Hawks Hillsborough Hawks RLFC is a rugby league club based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire, England. The Open Age team plays winter rugby in the Pennine League... |
5th | 4th | 5th | DNF | x | x | x | x |
| South London Storm | 7th | 10th | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| St Albans Centurions St Albans Centurions St Albans Centurions is a rugby league club based in St Albans, Hertfordshire.Founded in 1996, they first played in various local leagues and the Rugby League Conference, and then, from 2003 to 2006, in National League 3. From 2007 to date, they play in the Rugby League Conference South Premier... |
4th | 7th | 4th | 4th | x | x | x | x |
| Teeside Steelers | 2nd | DNS | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| Warrington Wizards Warrington Wizards Warrington Wizards are a British rugby league team. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Warrington Woolston Rovers, a National Conference League team were invited to be founder members of the new National League Three, the 4th tier of British rugby league in... 1 |
3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 3rd | 6th | 2nd |
- 1 played as Warrington Woolston Rovers between 2003 and 2004
- 2 Manchester Knights failed to complete the season but withdrew near the end of the season and thus their results stood.
- 3 Bradford Dudley Hill qualified for the play-offs but declined to participate due to rejoining the National Conference LeagueNational Conference LeagueThe National Conference League is the top league in the pyramid of amateur rugby leagues run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association...
. - 4 Liverpool Buccaneers failed to complete the season but withdrew near the end of the season and thus their results stood.
Key
| DNF | Did not complete the season |
| DNS | Entered but did not complete the season |
| x | Did not participate |
| Divisional winner | |
| Qualified for divisional play-off | |
| Finished bottom | |
National League Three
- 2003 Warrington Woolston RoversWarrington WizardsWarrington Wizards are a British rugby league team. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Warrington Woolston Rovers, a National Conference League team were invited to be founder members of the new National League Three, the 4th tier of British rugby league in...
(now Warrington Wizards) - 2004 Coventry BearsCoventry BearsCoventry Bears are a rugby league club, formed in 1998. They have a proud history pioneering rugby league in the Midlands, their major honours include winning the National League 3 title in 2004 and the Rugby League Conference in 2002...
- 2005 Bradford Dudley HillBradford Dudley HillBradford Dudley Hill Rugby League Club is an English rugby league team based in Bradford, West Yorkshire, now playing in the National Conference League.-History:...
- 2006 Bramley BuffaloesBramley BuffaloesBramley Buffaloes is a rugby league club from the Bramley area of West Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Previously known simply as Bramley RLFC, the club is a famous name in rugby league, having existed prior to the formation of the Northern Union in 1895...
Rugby League Conference National Division
- 2007 Featherstone LionsFeatherstone LionsFeatherstone Lions are an amateur rugby league club from Featherstone, West Yorkshire who play in the Rugby League Conference National Division and the CMS Yorkshire league Division 3. The under-18 team play in the Gilette National Youth League....
- 2008 Crusaders Colts
- 2009 Bramley BuffaloesBramley BuffaloesBramley Buffaloes is a rugby league club from the Bramley area of West Leeds in West Yorkshire, England. Previously known simply as Bramley RLFC, the club is a famous name in rugby league, having existed prior to the formation of the Northern Union in 1895...
- 2010 Warrington WizardsWarrington WizardsWarrington Wizards are a British rugby league team. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference.-History:Warrington Woolston Rovers, a National Conference League team were invited to be founder members of the new National League Three, the 4th tier of British rugby league in...
- 2011 Huddersfield Underbank RangersHuddersfield Underbank RangersHuddersfield Underbank Rangers are a rugby league team based in Holmfirth near Huddersfield, West Yorkshire. They play in the National Division of the Rugby League Conference. The club also competes as Underbank Rangers in division 4 of the Pennine League. They also have an Underbank Rangers A...