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Started by
Marrman
7th October 2008
15:12:38 | Introduction
As a consequence of the outcome of Motion 4 (national competitions) a representative sub group of the Council was established with a remit to recommend appropriate community rugby playing structures for consideration following full Council discussion and consultation with clubs. Following conclusions, recommendations and 2009 AGM approval it is intended to announce the agreed structures prior to season 2009/10 with introduction in 2010/11 in line with the 2008 AGM recommendation.
Rationale and Proposed Solutions
A range of issues have been raised in relation to the current arrangements and these are listed below with possible solutions for consideration.
Please note that each constituency (Premiers, Nationals and Regionals) should consider its own particular issues in, for example, number of games required to be played, potential ground conditions throughout the season etc (refer to Draft season structure).
Clashes with International Games
Clubs would have the option of playing matches on the evening before, morning of, or Sunday of international weekends depending on Autumn and Six nations scheduling.
Length of Season
Currently regarded as too long with games spilling over into April and sometimes May.
• The season should run, as far as practical, from 1st September until 31st March.
• Clubs to ensure that all fixtures are completed by the final date. Flexibility in regard to midweek matches, international weekends, use of floodlights (where these exist) and Sunday options should assist. In the case of two teams disagreeing, the Championship Committee will have the final say with the current rules being adjusted accordingly.
League Structure
Two options are suggested for consideration.
1. The status quo with the present set up of Premier, National and Regional Leagues.
2. A Premier League (12 clubs), a National League (12 clubs) with the rest in Regional Leagues (up to 12 clubs with local flexibility as required) as per the example in Appendix 1.
Promotion/Relegation
In the case of option 2, play offs would take place between the bottom two clubs in the Premier league and the top two clubs in the National League. The bottom three clubs in the National League would play off against the three Regional League 1 winners.
It is recognised that some adjustments would be needed in the Regional Leagues depending on the outcome of the play offs.
Format of Cup Competitions
The main Cup competition will comprise of the 24 teams from the Premier and National Leagues, plus 8 qualifiers from the Regions based on the previous season’s Cup/Regional Cups positions.
Three Regional Cups would be created with all Cup finals played on an agreed fixed date at Murrayfield.
2nd XV Leagues
One Premier division of 12 teams is proposed (clubs may opt out if they wish to play in regional leagues) with the rest of the clubs in regions. Teams would only be permitted to have one team in any division (for example a 3rd XV could not gain promotion to a league containing that club’s 2nd XV).
Provision for Club 7s
7s competitions would take place in April and May and a central data base of tournaments would be compiled for ease of information access and coordination.
The proposals provide an opportunity to strengthen 7s competitions.
Additional Considerations
The proposals suggested take account of a range of current issues.
In addition, particularly in the light of an economic down turn, it should be noted that the amount of travel (and related costs) will be significantly reduced by adoption of some of the proposals suggested, in particular 2B as outlined in the questionnaire. This proposal also provides an opportunity for accelerated promotion for ambitious clubs, increased commercial and crowd potential through local derbies and enhanced player availability due to reduced travel commitments.
When considering the proposals and options, clubs are requested to take full account of their own particular circumstances and also those pertaining to the league(s) that they participate within.
A 100% return of questionnaires is anticipated and it should be noted that the conclusions reached from the collations will form the final recommendations to clubs prior to seeking approval at the 2009 AGM.
Proposed Time Line
Consultation within Forum Groups Completed by 17th October 2008
Questionnaires returned By 24th October 2008
Update report to Scottish Rugby Council 30th October 2008
Recommendations to stakeholders 7th November 2008
Final report prepared 31st December 2008
Report to Scottish Rugby Council 29th January 2009
Report to Scottish Rugby Board 26th February 2009
AGM Motion etc By 30th April 2009
Scottish Rugby Union AGM Last week in June 2009
Example League Divisions with revised structure
PREMIERSHIP
Boroughmuir
Watsonians
Melrose
Currie
Ayr
Heriot's
Stirling County
Hawick
Glasgow Hawks
Edinburgh Academicals
West of Scotland
Selkirk
NATIONAL LEAGUE
GHA
Dundee HSFP
Biggar
Haddington
Jed-Forest
Stewart's Melville FP
Aberdeen Grammar
Kelso
Hamilton
Musselburgh
Gala
Peebles
West League Division 1
Cartha Queens Park
Hillhead/Jordanhill
Ardrossan Academicals
Irvine
Garnock
Annan
East Kilbride
Dalziel
Cambuslang
Dumfries
Greenock Wanderers
Newton Stewart
Caledonia League Division 1
Kirkcaldy
Perthshire
Ellon
Dunfermline
Morgan Academy
Falkirk
Howe of Fife
Hillfoots
Highland
Caithness
Grangemouth
Strathmore
East League Division 1
Livingston
Berwick
Murrayfield Wanderers
RHC
Preston Lodge
Langholm
Edinburgh University
Forrester
Linlithgow
Hawick YM
Lasswade
Trinity Academicals
West League Division 2
Kilmarnock
Glasgow Acedemicals Stewartry
Whitecraigs
Allan Glen’s
Lenzie
Marr
Helensburgh
Waysiders/Drumpellier
Cumbernauld
GHK
Strathclyde Police
Caledinia League Division 2
Gordonians
Madras College FP
Glenrothes
Aberdeenshire
Mackie Academy FP
St Andrews University
Stirling University
Orkney
Crieff & Strathearn
Kinross
Blairgowrie HSFP
Aberdeen University
Ease League Division 2
Lismore
Ross High
Duns
Hawick Linden
Penicuik
North Berwick
Broughton
Dunbar
Portobello FP
Hawick Harlequins
Meggetland
Dalkeith
West League Division 3
Strathendrick
Oban Lorne
Cumnock
Loch Lomond
Clydebank
Wigtownshire
Uddingston
Moffat
Paisley
Millbrae
Hughenden
Braidholm
Caledonia League Division 3 (Midlands)
Waid Academy FP
Panmure
Atholl
Harris Academy FP
Fife Southern
Montrose and District
Carnoustie
Bannockburn
Arbroath
Stobswell
Strathspey
Alloa
East League Division 3
Leith
Earlston
Edinburgh Northern
Inverleith
Edinburgh BATs
Moray House
Gala YM
Royal Dick Vet College
Walkerburn
Liberton
St Boswells
West League Division 4
Calder
McLaren FP
Strathaven
Cowal
Carrick
Isle of Arran
Hyndland
Isle of Mull
Lanark
Bishopton
Renfrew
Jordanhill
Mid Argyll
Caledonia Division 3 (North)
RAF Kinloss
Huntly
Aboyne
Shetland
Lochaber
Garioch
Aberdeen Wanderers
Banff
Moray
RAF Lossiemouth
Ross Sutherland
Stornoway
Inverness Craig Dunain
Peterhead
Westdyce
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