Community Board Chair Clare Morrow and Ralph Rimmer , Ralph has agreed to meet with the coaches and clubs of our Association to put the position of the RFL regarding Primary Rugby League .

In a nut shell the NWC's have voted unanimously against proposed changes that the RFL are looking to impose on all regional associations, which will see smaller sided games for the under 7's with immediate affect. The proposal is that the under 7's shall play 4v4 or at worse 5v5 on a smaller pitch (25 x 12 mtr), rather than our current 7 v 7 on a 50 x 30 mtr pitch. This format will then follow through the age groups with Under 8's playing 6v6, 9's playing 7v7 etc. The NWC's have also identified many other concerns surrounding Safeguarding, Coaching, Logistic etc etc.

The NWC have democratically consulted their members (all clubs in the NWC Framework), which had resulted in no club seeing any significant benefit to the proposed changes above our current format. In other regions this hasn't been the case with associations agreeing without consultation with its members, with this subsequently leading to reverting to the 'old' format in an underground state, whilst suggesting the new format is being wholeheartedly being accepted.

This matter has been a consent agenda item for the last 18 months, and even following meeting with the RFL, there has been a failure to recognise our concerns, nor the fact that the NWC are seeing record levels of participation.

Both Clare and Ralph are fully aware of the depth of feeling within our region regarding this emotive issue .

With that in mind a meeting as been agreed and arranged for Monday 24th August at Leigh Miners Welfare with a 7pm start.

We would like all current 7s and Newbies coaches to attend along with at least one senior club official.

This is a very important meeting for our association and all clubs are requested to attend .

Once we have heard what has been said, we'll update our parents and club members.