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.
| Sport | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| Inaugural season | 2005 |
| Chair | Phil Abbott (2022, 2023) |
| Number of teams | 12 |
| Country |  England |
| Website | midlandsrugbyleague.co.uk |
| Related competition | Midlands 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:
| Club | Further information | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bassetlaw Bulldogs | Website Facebook Twitter |
| 2 | Bolsover Bulls | Website Facebook Twitter |
| 3 | Coventry Bears | Website Facebook Twitter |
| 4 | Immingham Wasps | Facebook Twitter |
| 5 | Isle of Axholm | Facebook Twitter |
| 6 | Leamington Royals | Website Facebook Twitter |
| 7 | Moorends Marauders | Website Facebook Twitter |
| 8 | NEW Ravens | Website Facebook Twitter |
| 9 | Sherwood Wolfhunt | Website Facebook Twitter |
| 10 | Shrewsbury Knights | Website Facebook Twitter |
| 11 | Swindon St George | Website Facebook Twitter |
| 12 | Telford Raiders | Website 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
- 2007 Under-15s: Telford Raiders
- 2008 Under-14s: Derby Dragons, Under-16s: Northampton Knights
- 2009 Under-12s: Northampton Knights, Under-14s: Redditch Ravens, Under-16s: Nottingham Outlaws
- 2010 Under-12s: Northampton Knights, Under-14s: Telford Raiders, Under-16s: Birmingham Bulldogs
- 2011 Under-16s: Coventry Bears, Under-18s: Northampton Demons
- 2012 Under-16s: Gloucestershire All Golds, Under-18s: Leicester Storm