West Bowling Under 17s 2012/2013

BARLA League Structure
The BARLA Board of Management has deliberately delayed the issuing of a statement making their intentions clear, so as not to appear obstructive while the Four Seasons consultation period was taking place.

However this has sent out a wrong message and led much of the amateur game including leagues, clubs, teams, players, officials and many volunteers into wrongly believing that summer rugby is a done deal to commence in 2012.


“Any league, club, player, official or volunteer who wishes to remain playing in their present season will be given the full support from BARLA and the RFL. Clubs and players will be made aware of this. David Gent is on record as saying,


“Whatever the outcome of what time of year rugby will be played, the RFL simply cannot force teams to play summer rugby.”


Provisions will be made by BARLA which will allow clubs and players to continue playing under the standards and criteria that they enjoy at present should their league management make the decision and opt to play a March to November season.”


David Gent has complemented the BARLA stance and statement on the ‘Four Seasons’ issue on numerous occasions when attending meetings debating this.


David Gent, RFL Director of Participation and Strategic Partnerships said, “The proposals are called Four Seasons to allow the opportunity to play the great game of Rugby League throughout the year.


BARLA in line with the agreed Community Board policy on this issue wishes to remind any league, club, player, official or volunteer who wishes to remain playing in their present season that they will be given the full support from BARLA and the RFL. Clubs and players will be made aware of this.

The proposals recognise that should the decision be made to start a fully operational March to November programme those who wish to continue in the existing September to May season can do as at present.

It is for individual clubs and their members to decide when they wish to play and I am delighted that BARLA and the RFL are working together to move forward with this.


The BARLA Board has confirmed that provisions will be made by BARLA to allow clubs and players to continue playing under the standards and criteria that they enjoy at present should their league management make the decision and opt to play a March to November season.”

BARLA will not require clubs to apply for a license to play in its respective playing leagues at all age levels. It will continue to implement its highly successful and traditional National and County Cup competitions.


Those would continue at both Open Age and Youth & Junior levels which are contrary to the RFL’s Four Season’s blueprint.


The BARLA Open Age Board would like to invite Open Age Council Members, District Leagues and Playing Leagues to the Shaw Cross Sharks ARLFC on Wednesday 26th January at 7.00pm for their input in taking the BARLA Strategy forward.


BARLA Open Age Chair Steve Manning said,


“Following our meeting last month we are now making a clear statement to all our leagues, clubs, teams, players, officials and many volunteers who wish to continue playing during the winter season from September to May. BARLA will be there support them. As David Gent has quite rightly said the RFL simply cannot force teams to play summer rugby.


“We need to put structures in place ready for any oncoming change and need input from Open Age Council Members, District Leagues and Playing Leagues who wish to continue to play during the winter and are welcome to attend our Open Age Meeting later this month.”