An editor has nominated this article for deletion. You are welcome to participate in the deletion discussion , which will decide whether or not to retain it. |
| Sport | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 2010 |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Country |  England |
| Holders | Ashton Bears A (2010) |
| Website | www.northwestrl.co.uk |
| Related competition | Rugby League Conference |
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.
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 League 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 8 April 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. [1]
The North West Merit League is the lowest level on the Rugby League Conference pyramid for clubs in the North West of England.
The following teams participated
| 2006 | South Humber Rabbitohs | 42-18 | Nottingham Outlaws Academy |
| 2007 | St Helens Wild Boars | 46-22 | German Exiles |
| 2007 | East Riding RLC | 32-26 | Nottingham Outlaws Academy |
| 2008 | Nottingham Outlaws Academy | 34-32 | Sheffield Forgers |
| 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 |
| 2010 | Ashton Bears A | 33 - 30 | East Lancashire Vikings |
Nottingham Outlaws are a rugby league club from the city of Nottingham, England. They were founded in 1999 and their first team plays in the Premier Division of the Yorkshire Men's League. They have a junior section and in 2006 launched an academy team. They play their home matches at their own ground at Lenton Lane Nottingham NG7. They are also known as the 'hooded men'.
Moorends-Thorne Marauders RLFC is a rugby league club based in Thorne, Doncaster, South Yorkshire.
Somerset Vikings RLFC are a rugby league team from the county of Somerset in England. They play in the West of England Rugby League.
Lymm RL is a rugby league side based in Lymm, Cheshire. They play in the North West Merit League.
Chester Gladiators Rugby League Football Club is a rugby league club in Chester, England. They play in the North West Division of the Rugby League Conference, North West Counties and the North West Merit League.
The Rugby League Conference (RLC), also known as the Co-operative Rugby League Conference as a result of sponsorship from The Co-operative Group, was a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
The Midlands Merit League, was a summer rugby league tournament in England held between 2006 and 2009. It was a feeder league to the Rugby League Conference and had a season that ran from April to August. In its last season of 2009, it was also known as the RL Merit League.
The Midlands Rugby League Division Two is a summer rugby league tournament in the Midlands region of England. It was previously known as the Midlands Rugby League and the Midlands Merit League. Its season runs from April to August.
The Rugby League Conference (RLC), also known as the Co-operative Rugby League Conference as a result of sponsorship from the Co-operative Group, is a series of regionally based divisions of amateur rugby league teams spread throughout England, Scotland, and Wales.
Blackpool Sea Eagles are a rugby league team based in Blackpool, Lancashire.
The Midlands Merit League was a summer rugby league tournament in England. In its final two years, it was known as the RL Merit League.
The Women's Rugby League Conference was a rugby league for female teams in Britain that ran from 2008 to 2013.
The Rugby League Conference North West Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference for teams in the North West of England.
The Rugby League Conference Yorkshire Premier is a division in the Rugby League Conference for teams in the Yorkshire area.
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.
The Rugby League Conference North West Division is a division in the Rugby League Conference for teams in the North West of England.
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 most of the latter switching to summer to follow the National Conference League.
The Yorkshire Men's League is a rugby league competition for clubs in Yorkshire. It is a successor league for the Rugby League Conference also comprising clubs from the CMS Yorkshire league, Pennine League and Hull & District League.
The Midlands Men's Division 1 is a rugby league competition for clubs in the English Midlands. It was formerly known as the Rugby League Conference Midlands Division. Many of the clubs run juniors in the Midlands Junior League.