History of the Midlands Merit League: Difference between revisions
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The [[RL Merit League]] Sponsored by Kukri Sports, formerly the Midlands Merit League, is a summer [[rugby league]] tournament in [[England]]. It is a feeder league to the [[Rugby League Conference]]. |
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==History== |
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{{seealso|History of the Rugby League Conference}} |
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The league was founded as the Midlands Merit League 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 April 8th 2006 at All Saints Sports College, [[Sheffield]], where the [[Sheffield Forgers]] beat the [[Chesterfield Spires RLFC|Chesterfield Spires]] by 58 points to 8. |
The league was founded as the Midlands Merit League 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 April 8th 2006 at All Saints Sports College, [[Sheffield]], where the [[Sheffield Forgers]] beat the [[Chesterfield Spires RLFC|Chesterfield Spires]] by 58 points to 8. |
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Revision as of 22:59, 15 March 2009
The RL Merit League Sponsored by Kukri Sports, formerly the Midlands Merit League, is a summer rugby league tournament in England. It is a feeder league to the Rugby League Conference.
History
The league was founded as the Midlands Merit League 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 April 8th 2006 at All Saints Sports College, Sheffield, where the Sheffield Forgers beat the Chesterfield Spires by 58 points to 8.
The first cross-league fixture was played in June 2007 when Nottingham Outlaws Academy visited Northampton Casuals of the London League. They also played a return fixture in July.
The 2007 season saw the introduction of an informal under-15 league based on Merit League principles. In 2008 the junior competition featured under-14 and under-16 divisions.
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.