Pennine League

Last updated

Pennine League
Pennine league logo.PNG
Pennine League logo
Sport Rugby league
Instituted1974
Ceased2026
Number of teams17
CountryFlag of England.svg  England
ChampionsFryston Warriors (2025/26)
Website pennineleague.co.uk

The Pennine Amateur Rugby League, or Pennine League was a rugby league competition for amateur open-age clubs that ran from September to April for clubs around the Pennines area. The competition was run by the British Amateur Rugby League Association (BARLA).

Contents

History

The Pennines League was one of the first league formed under the British Amateur Rugby League Association, who formed the year prior in 1973 following a dispute with the Rugby Football League (RFL) regarding resources given to the amateur game. [1] [2] Local district leagues in the heartlands of Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, Oldham, and Rochdale were merged to create the competition. [3]

In 2004, BARLA realigned itself with the RFL, [1] but the Pennine League continued to operate outside of the RFL's amateur structure, the Rugby League Conference, founded in 1997.

In 2012, the RFL reformed the amateur structure of rugby league in Great Britain. BARLA's premiere amateur competition, the National Conference League, switched to a summer season in line with this change, and became jointly administered by BARLA and the RFL. The Pennine League, again, was unaffected decided to remain a winter competition. [4] Since then, the number of teams have declined. [5] [6]

As of 2026, the Pennine League folded due to the RFLs restructure of the community game and dwindling participation. [7]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "50 years on: The story of amateur clubs breaking away from the RFL". Love Rugby League. 10 March 2023. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
  2. ↑ Atkinson, Neil (20 April 2016). "Fitting Royal tribute in the birthplace of Rugby league". Yorkshire Live. Retrieved 4 February 2024.
  3. ↑ "New Pennine Rugby League is formed" . Huddersfield Daily Examiner. 9 July 1974. p. 11 – via British Newspaper Archive.
  4. ↑ "Amateur RL: Pennine League still to compete in winter". YorkshireLive. 6 April 2011. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  5. ↑ "Concern at heavy schedule as Pennine League restructure top tiers". Telegraph and Argus. 6 November 2014. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  6. ↑ "Summer RL is challenge to Pennine League". Telegraph and Argus. 24 March 2016. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
  7. ↑ "Competitions". www.rugby-league.com. Retrieved 2 August 2024.
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