Jump to content

South Wales Men's League: Difference between revisions

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Browse history interactively
← Previous edit
Content deleted Content added
VisualWikitext
→2023: Added winning dates
Tags: Mobile edit Mobile web edit
Citation bot (talk | contribs)
Bots
5,414,635 edits
Added title. Changed bare reference to CS1/2. | Use this bot. Report bugs. | Suggested by Abductive | Category:Wikipedia articles needing clarification from October 2024 | #UCB_Category 386/937
 
(42 intermediate revisions by 10 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Short description|Rugby league for amateur clubs}}
{{update|date=September 2021}}
{{update|date=September 2021}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2014}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2014}}
{{Infobox football league
{{Infobox football league
|name = '''South Wales Premiership'''
|name = South Wales Men's League
|logo =
|logo =
|pixels =
|pixels =
Line 10: Line 11:
|founded = 2003
|founded = 2003
|teams = 8
|teams = 8
|promotion = [[National Conference League]] via application to [[Rugby Football League|RFL]]
|promotion =
|relegation =
|relegation =
|levels = 5
|levels = 5
Line 16: Line 17:
|league_cup =
|league_cup =
|confed_cup =
|confed_cup =
|champions = South Wales Jets
|champions = Aberavon Fighting Irish
|runners-up =
|runners-up = South Wales Jets
|current winners in 2014 season =
|current winners in 2024 season = Aberavon Fighting Irish
|most_champs =
|most_champs = Bridgend Blue Bulls (10)
|season =
|season =
|website =
|website = www.wrl.wales
|current =
|current = 2024
}}
}}


The '''South Wales Premiership''' is the league for amateur clubs in southern Wales. Previously it was part of the [[Rugby League Conference]] but became standalone in 2012.
The '''South Wales Men's League''' is a summer [[rugby league]] competition for amateur teams in [[South Wales]]. The competition was formed in 2003 as the '''[[Rugby League Conference|RLC]] Welsh Premier'''. Following the 2012 restructure of amateur rugby league in Great Britain, it was renamed the '''South Wales Premiership'''.


==History==
==History==
Line 33: Line 34:
The RLC first expanded into Wales in 2001 when [[Cardiff Demons]] joined the [[Rugby League Conference South West Division|South West division]].
The RLC first expanded into Wales in 2001 when [[Cardiff Demons]] joined the [[Rugby League Conference South West Division|South West division]].


In 2003, the RLC expanded with the creation of the Welsh Premier division. This division had 6 teams in the inaugural season and marked the first all Welsh rugby league division.
In 2003, the RLC expanded with the creation of the Welsh Premier division. This division had 6 teams in the inaugural season and was the first all-Welsh rugby league division.


The Welsh Premier division was split into two divisions East Wales and West Wales in 2006, though this decision was reversed for the following season.
The Welsh Premier division was split into two divisions, East Wales and West Wales, in 2006, though this split was reversed{{clarify|date=October 2024}} for the following season.


The Welsh Conference Junior League began in 2009.
The Welsh Conference Junior League began in 2009.


In 2010, due to the growth of the sport, a Championship division was formed which would function at one tier lower than the present Premier division. This Championship division featured teams from South Wales.
In 2010, due to the growth of the sport, a Championship division was formed which would function at one tier lower than the present Premier division. This Championship division featured teams from South Wales.<ref>{{cite web |title=RL Conference breaks 100 team barrier |url=https://www.loverugbyleague.com/post/rl-conference-breaks-100-team-barrier |website=Love Rugby League |access-date=17 April 2023 |date=12 April 2010}}</ref>


The RLC Welsh Championship division was given a re-structure following four West Wales clubs not fulfilling fixtures. Amman Valley Rhinos, Dinefwr Sharks, Swansea/Llanelli Dragons and West Wales Wild Boars were omitted and replaced with newly formed Dyffryn Devils.
The RLC Welsh Championship division was restructured after four West Wales clubs failed to fulfil their fixtures. Amman Valley Rhinos, Dinefwr Sharks, Swansea/Llanelli Dragons and West Wales Wild Boars were omitted and replaced with newly formed Dyffryn Devils.


In 2012 the league became the South Wales Premiership with the lower Championship division being abolished. 2012 also saw the creation of the [[North Wales Conference]]. This was part of large restructure of the RLC as the [[Conference League South]] was created.
In 2012 the league became the South Wales Premiership, with the lower Championship division being abolished. 2012 also saw the creation of the [[North Wales Conference]]. This was part of large restructure of the RLC as the [[Conference League South]] (CLS) was created.


In 2017, the competition was renamed as the South Wales Premier League, and saw three Conference League South teams return to the competition with the CLS not running that year.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://europeanrugbyleague.com/articles/1413/new-season-new-league-in-south-wales | title=New Season, New League in South Wales }}</ref>
From 2023, the winners of the competition will play the winners of the [[North Wales Conference]] for a place in the [[Challenge Cup]]. Due to logistical issues 2023 Champions (in their debut season), South Wales Jets were allocated the Welsh League place in the Challenge Cup


From 2023, the winners of the competition will{{Fix|text=out of date?}} play the winners of the [[North Wales Conference]] for a place in the [[Challenge Cup]]. Due to logistical issues 2023 Champions (in their debut season), South Wales Jets were allocated the Welsh League place in the Challenge Cup.
'''Source:'''<ref>{{cite web | url=https://europeanrugbyleague.com/articles/2253/wales-celebrates-20-years-of-league-acti | title=Wales Celebrates 20 Years of League Action }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://wrl.wales/20th-anniversary-fixtures-revealed-for-south-wales-mens-league | title=20th anniversary fixtures revealed for South Wales men's league – Wales Rugby League (WRL) }}</ref>

'''Source:'''<ref>{{cite web |url=https://europeanrugbyleague.com/articles/2253/wales-celebrates-20-years-of-league-acti | title=Wales Celebrates 20 Years of League Action }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://wrl.wales/20th-anniversary-fixtures-revealed-for-south-wales-mens-league | title=20th anniversary fixtures revealed for South Wales men's league&nbsp;– Wales Rugby League (WRL) | date=3 April 2023 }}</ref>

For the 2024 season, JES Group was announced as the competition's principal sponsor.<ref name="WRLMay24">{{Cite web |date=2024-05-30 |title=JES Group announced as principal league partner&nbsp;— Wales Rugby League (WRL) |url=https://wrl.wales/jes-group-announced-as-principal-league-partner |access-date=2024-06-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>


==Position in Pyramid==
==Position in Pyramid==
{{see also|British rugby league system}}
{{see also|British rugby league system}}


* 1: [[Super League]]
# [[Super League]]
* 2: [[RFL Championship|Championship]]
# [[RFL Championship|Championship]]
* 3: [[RFL League 1|League 1]]
# [[RFL League 1|League 1]]
* 4: [[Conference League South]]
# [[National Conference League]]/[[Conference League South]]
* '''5: South Wales Premiership'''
# '''South Wales Men's League'''


==Teams==
==Teams==
Eight teams will contest the 2024 season:<ref name="2024Launch">{{Cite web |date=2024-05-31 |title=Rugby League in Wales: 'Sky is the limit' - Richard Hibbard |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/rugby-league/articles/c3ggq0zgn1qo |access-date=2024-06-05 |website=BBC Sport |language=en-gb}}</ref>
{{update|section|date=April 2023}}
*[[Aberavon Fighting Irish]]
*[[Bridgend Blue Bulls]]
*[[Cynon Valley Cavaliers]]
*[[Rhondda Outlaws]]
*[[South Wales Jets]]
*[[South Wales Saints]]
*[[Swansea Rams]]
*[[Torfaen Tigers]]


===2023===
==Format==
The competition is played as a single round robin with one loop fixture, the top four teams qualify for the playoffs.<ref name="2024Launch" /><ref name="WRLMay24"/>


==Winners==
{| class="wikitable sortable" width=100%
{{see also|Rugby League Conference trophy winners}}
|-
!width=25%|Club
!width=10%|Founded
!width=20%|Location
!width=30%|RLC Honours
|-
| [[Bridgend Blue Bulls]] || 2003 || [[Pyle]], [[Bridgend]] || Welsh Premier: 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2021<br>Harry Jepson Trophy: 2003, 2005
|-
| [[Cardiff Blue Dragons]] || 2015 || [[Cardiff]] || (*As Cardiff Demons) RLC South West: 2003 <br>Welsh Shield: 2004 <br>East Wales Division: 2006
|-
| [[Torfaen Tigers RLFC]] || 2004 || [[Talywain]] || Welsh Shield: 2005 <br>Welsh Plate: 2009
|-
| [[Cynon Valley Cavaliers]] || 2019 || [[Hirwaun]] ||
|-
| [[Rhondda Outlaws]] || 2017 || [[Glyncoch]] || Welsh Premier: 2019, 2022
|-
| [[South Wales Saints]] || 2022 || [[Penygraig]], [[Rhondda Cynon Taff]] ||
|-
| [[Aberavon Fighting Irish]] || 2010 || [[Port Talbot]], [[Neath Port Talbot]] ||
|-
| [[South Wales Jets]] || 2022 || [[Merthyr Tydfil]], [[Merthyr Tydfil]] || Welsh Premier: 2023
|-
|}


'''Source:'''<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-03-18 |title=South Wales Clubs History&nbsp;— Wales Rugby League (WRL) |url=https://wrl.wales/mens-league-history |access-date=2024-06-05 |language=en-US}}</ref>
Teams play each other on a home-and-away basis. Each Premier division then has its own play-off series to determine the champion with the five divisional winners entering the national play-offs.
The winner of the national play-offs is awarded the Harry Jepson Trophy.

===2013===
*'''Premier Division''': Bonymaen Broncos, Borderer Boars, Cardiff Demons, Newport Titans, Torfaen Tigers, Valley Cougars. Bridgend Blue Bulls and Blackwood Bulldogs entered but failed to start the season. Borderer Boars failed to complete the season
*'''South Wales Merit Table''': Cardiff Demons B, Cardiff Spartans, Gwendraeth Valley Raiders, Torfaen Tigers B

===2014===
*Aber Valley Wolves, Bridgend Blue Bulls, Cardiff Demons, Cardiff Spartans, Gwendraeth Valley Raiders, Newport Titans, Torfaen Tigers, Valley Cougars A

==Winners==


;[[Rugby League Conference|RLC]] Welsh Premier era
;[[Rugby League Conference|RLC]] Welsh Premier era
{{see also|Rugby League Conference trophy winners}}
* 2003: Bridgend Blue Bulls
* 2003: Bridgend Blue Bulls
* 2004: Bridgend Blue Bulls
* 2004: Bridgend Blue Bulls
Line 108: Line 89:
* 2007: Bridgend Blue Bulls
* 2007: Bridgend Blue Bulls
* 2008: Valley Cougars
* 2008: Valley Cougars
* 2009: Blackwood Bulldogs
* 2009: Blackwood Bulldogs
* 2010: Valley Cougars
* 2010: Valley Cougars
* 2011: Bridgend Blue Bulls
* 2011: Bridgend Blue Bulls
Line 123: Line 104:
* 2021: Bridgend Blue Bulls
* 2021: Bridgend Blue Bulls
* 2022: Rhondda Outlaws
* 2022: Rhondda Outlaws
* 2023: South Wales Jets
* 2024: Aberavon Fighting Irish


===Welsh Shield===
===Shield/Plate winners===


The South Wales Premiership has, on occasion, held a shield/plate competition for clubs who failed to reach the playoffs:
Secondary Welsh competition for teams who do not make the play-offs for the Welsh Premier. It has not been contested since 2005.


* 2004: Cardiff Demons
* 2004: Cardiff Demons
* 2005: Newport Titans (now Titans RLFC)
* 2005: Newport Titans
* 2009: Newport Titans

* 2010: NPT Steelers
===Plate Final===
* 2011: Bonymaen Broncos

* 2014: Valley Cougars
* 2009: Newport Titans (now Titans RLFC) 32 - 24 Dinefwr Sharks

==League standings==
{{update|section|date=April 2023}}

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|-
!width=180 |Current Teams
!width=50 |2003
!width=50 |2004
!width=50 |2005
!width=50 |2006
!width=50 |2007
!width=50 |2008
!width=50 |2009
!width=50 |2010
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Blackwood Bulldogs]] ||x||x||x|| || || || bgcolor=gold|1st ||
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Bridgend Blue Bulls]] || bgcolor=gold|1st || bgcolor=gold|1st || bgcolor=gold|1st || bgcolor=gold|1st || bgcolor=gold|1st || || bgcolor=#90EE90|2nd ||
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Cardiff Demons]] ||x|| || || || || || ||
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| [[CPC Bears]] ||x|| x || x || x || x || x || x ||
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Dinefwr Sharks]] <sup>1</sup> ||x||x||x|| || || || || x
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Neath Port Talbot Steelers]] <sup>2</sup>|| || || || || || || || x
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Newport Titans]] ||x|| || || || || || ||
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| Rumney Rhinos || ||x||x||x||x||x||x|| x
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| Swansea Valley Miners <sup>3</sup> || || || || || x || x || x|| x
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Torfaen Tigers]] || 3rd || || || || || || || x
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| [[Valley Cougars]] <sup>4</sup> || || || || || || bgcolor=gold|1st || ||
|-
|style="text-align:left;"| West Wales Wild Boars ||x||x||x||x||x||x|| || x
|}
* <sup>1</sup> competed as West Wales Sharks between 2006 and 2008
* <sup>2</sup> competed as Aberavon Fighting Irish between 2003 and 2006
* <sup>3</sup> competed as Swansea Bulls in 2003
* <sup>4</sup> competed as Cynon Valley Cougars in 2003


===Key===
===Second Tier===
During the RLC era, a second tier competition was held for a brief period called the "RLC Wales Regional". Winner were:
{| class="wikitable"
*2010: [[Neath Port Talbot Steelers]]
|-
*2011: [[Bonymaen Broncos]]
|DNF
|Did not complete the season
|-
|x
|Did not participate
|-
|style="background-color:gold"|
|Divisional winner
|-
|style="background-color:#90ee90"|
|Qualified for divisional play-off
|-
|style="background-color:#FF6666"|
|Finished bottom
|-
|}


==Junior league==
==Junior league==
The South Wales Premiership also operates at under-17, under-15, and under-13 age groups.
The South Wales Premiership also operates at under-17, under-15, and under-13 age groups.{{cn|date=June 2024}}


==See also==
==See also==

Latest revision as of 04:42, 1 November 2024

South Wales Men's League
Founded2003
Country Wales
Number of clubs8
Level on pyramid5
Domestic cup(s)Challenge Cup
Current championsAberavon Fighting Irish
Most championshipsBridgend Blue Bulls (10)
Websitewww.wrl.wales
Current: 2024

The South Wales Men's League is a summer rugby league competition for amateur teams in South Wales. The competition was formed in 2003 as the RLC Welsh Premier. Following the 2012 restructure of amateur rugby league in Great Britain, it was renamed the South Wales Premiership.

History

[edit]
See also: History of the Rugby League Conference

The Rugby League Conference (RLC) was founded in 1997 as the Southern Conference, a 10-team pilot league for teams in the South of England and English Midlands.

The RLC first expanded into Wales in 2001 when Cardiff Demons joined the South West division.

In 2003, the RLC expanded with the creation of the Welsh Premier division. This division had 6 teams in the inaugural season and was the first all-Welsh rugby league division.

The Welsh Premier division was split into two divisions, East Wales and West Wales, in 2006, though this split was reversed[clarification needed] for the following season.

The Welsh Conference Junior League began in 2009.

In 2010, due to the growth of the sport, a Championship division was formed which would function at one tier lower than the present Premier division. This Championship division featured teams from South Wales.[1]

The RLC Welsh Championship division was restructured after four West Wales clubs failed to fulfil their fixtures. Amman Valley Rhinos, Dinefwr Sharks, Swansea/Llanelli Dragons and West Wales Wild Boars were omitted and replaced with newly formed Dyffryn Devils.

In 2012 the league became the South Wales Premiership, with the lower Championship division being abolished. 2012 also saw the creation of the North Wales Conference. This was part of large restructure of the RLC as the Conference League South (CLS) was created.

In 2017, the competition was renamed as the South Wales Premier League, and saw three Conference League South teams return to the competition with the CLS not running that year.[2]

From 2023, the winners of the competition will[out of date?] play the winners of the North Wales Conference for a place in the Challenge Cup. Due to logistical issues 2023 Champions (in their debut season), South Wales Jets were allocated the Welsh League place in the Challenge Cup.

Source:[3][4]

For the 2024 season, JES Group was announced as the competition's principal sponsor.[5]

Position in Pyramid

[edit]
See also: British rugby league system
  1. Super League
  2. Championship
  3. League 1
  4. National Conference League/Conference League South
  5. South Wales Men's League

Teams

[edit]

Eight teams will contest the 2024 season:[6]

Format

[edit]

The competition is played as a single round robin with one loop fixture, the top four teams qualify for the playoffs.[6][5]

Winners

[edit]
See also: Rugby League Conference trophy winners

Source:[7]

RLC Welsh Premier era
  • 2003: Bridgend Blue Bulls
  • 2004: Bridgend Blue Bulls
  • 2005: Bridgend Blue Bulls
  • 2006: Bridgend Blue Bulls
  • 2007: Bridgend Blue Bulls
  • 2008: Valley Cougars
  • 2009: Blackwood Bulldogs
  • 2010: Valley Cougars
  • 2011: Bridgend Blue Bulls
South Wales Premiership era
  • 2012: Bonymaen Broncos
  • 2013: Torfaen Tigers
  • 2014: Bridgend Blue Bulls
  • 2015: Bridgend Blue Bulls
  • 2016: Bridgend Blue Bulls
  • 2017: Valley Cougars
  • 2018: Valley Cougars
  • 2019: Rhondda Outlaws
  • 2020: Cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2021: Bridgend Blue Bulls
  • 2022: Rhondda Outlaws
  • 2023: South Wales Jets
  • 2024: Aberavon Fighting Irish

Shield/Plate winners

[edit]

The South Wales Premiership has, on occasion, held a shield/plate competition for clubs who failed to reach the playoffs:

  • 2004: Cardiff Demons
  • 2005: Newport Titans
  • 2009: Newport Titans
  • 2010: NPT Steelers
  • 2011: Bonymaen Broncos
  • 2014: Valley Cougars

Second Tier

[edit]

During the RLC era, a second tier competition was held for a brief period called the "RLC Wales Regional". Winner were:

Junior league

[edit]

The South Wales Premiership also operates at under-17, under-15, and under-13 age groups.[citation needed]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "RL Conference breaks 100 team barrier". Love Rugby League. 12 April 2010. Retrieved 17 April 2023.
  2. ^ "New Season, New League in South Wales".
  3. ^ "Wales Celebrates 20 Years of League Action".
  4. ^ "20th anniversary fixtures revealed for South Wales men's league – Wales Rugby League (WRL)". 3 April 2023.
  5. ^ a b "JES Group announced as principal league partner — Wales Rugby League (WRL)". 30 May 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  6. ^ a b "Rugby League in Wales: 'Sky is the limit' - Richard Hibbard". BBC Sport. 31 May 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
  7. ^ "South Wales Clubs History — Wales Rugby League (WRL)". 18 March 2024. Retrieved 5 June 2024.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/enwiki/w/index.php?title=South_Wales_Men%27s_League&oldid=1254683279"