Midlands Junior League

The Midlands Junior League is an age group rugby league development competition for clubs in the English Midlands. It is run by the Midlands Rugby League.

Midlands Junior League
SportRugby league
Inaugural season2005
ChairPhil Abbott (2022, 2023)
Number of teams12
Country England
Websitemidlandsrugbyleague.co.uk
Related competitionMidlands Rugby League Premier Division, Midlands Rugby League Division One, Midlands Rugby League Division Two

Many of the teams taking part also run open-age sides in the Rugby League Conference or Midlands Rugby League.

History

The adult Midlands Merit League was founded in late 2005 to support the growth of rugby league in non-heartland areas. The 2007 season saw the introduction of an informal under-15 league Midlands Junior League based on Merit League principles. In 2008 the junior competition featured under-14 and under-16 divisions.

The adult Midlands Merit League later evolved into the Midlands Rugby League and the RL Merit League (for clubs in the North of England).

Midlands clubs voted against clubs outside the Midlands being included for the 2010 season. In 2010 the Under-12s took a tournament based format and Under-11s and Girls Under-12s started on a similar basis.

2011 saw the addition of an Under-18s league and saw the Under-14s take on a tournament based format, with the Under-12s replaced by an Under-13s.

Following a number of years of steady growth, in 2023, the Midlands Junior League continued its development, following the formation of a new Midlands Junior League Steering group. 4 regional festivals at U7-U16 age groups were played during the summer of 2023, with a host of friendly fixtures arranged between clubs also.

Festivals were held at Bassetlaw Bulldogs, Shrewsbury Lions, Sherwood Wolfhunt and NEW Ravens RLFC

Participating clubs

The following teams will participate in 2023, across a range of age groups from U7s to U15s:

2023 Clubs
ClubFurther information
1Bassetlaw BulldogsWebsite Facebook Twitter
2Bolsover BullsWebsite Facebook Twitter
3Coventry BearsWebsite Facebook Twitter
4Immingham WaspsFacebook Twitter
5Isle of AxholmFacebook Twitter
6Leamington RoyalsWebsite Facebook Twitter
7Moorends MaraudersWebsite Facebook Twitter
8NEW RavensWebsite Facebook Twitter
9Sherwood WolfhuntWebsite Facebook Twitter
10Shrewsbury KnightsWebsite Facebook Twitter
11Swindon St GeorgeWebsite Facebook Twitter
12Telford RaidersWebsite Facebook Twitter

Format

Until 2013, teams competed in a league format, playing an equal number of games. The top four teams in each age groups contested the semi-finals, with first playing fourth and second playing third.

The league scoring format was: Win: 3 points Draw: 2 points Defeat not conceded, fielding 13 players: 1 point

Default on game within three days of fixture: 0 points, with 40-0 score-line awarded to the opposition.

The under-14, under-13 and under-11 boys and under-12 girls competitions take place on a tournament format.

From 2018, the league system was replaced by friendly matches and festivals, returning the region to the Midlands Junior Development League. Clubs were encouraged to arrange their own fixtures and to also attend centralised festivals throughout the summer months. Bassetlaw Bulldogs and Immmingham Wasps played the first game in the RFL's new flagship Player Development League on 12th May 2018.

Past winners

See also

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