Women's Rugby League Conference
 | This article needs additional citations for verification. (May 2023) |
| Sport | Rugby league |
|---|---|
| Instituted | 2008 |
| Ceased | 2011 |
| Replaced by | RFL Women's Rugby League |
| Number of teams | 27 |
| Country |  England |
| Champions | Warrington (2011) |
| Website | rugbyleagueconference.co.uk |
The Women's Rugby League Conference was a rugby league for female teams in Britain that ran from 2008 to 2011.
The men's equivalent is the Rugby League Conference.
History[edit]
The Southern Conference League began as a 10-team pilot league for male rugby league teams in the Midlands and South of England in 1997. It changed its name to the Rugby League Conference in 1998 and expanded to cover the whole of Great Britain.
The first Women's Rugby League Conference began in 2008.[1]
In 2011, the RFL held meetings with women's clubs in Yorkshire and the North West to discuss the establishment of the RFL Women's Rugby League which would begin in March 2012.[2]
Competing teams by season[edit]
In 2009 the following teams played in the Conference:
- National Division: Bradford Thunderbirds, Copeland Wildcats, Coventry Bears, Nottingham Outlaws, Wakefield Panthers, West London Sharks
- North West Division: Chorley Panthers, Halton, Hillside Hawks, Macclesfield, Warrington Wolves
- Yorkshire Division: Bradford Dudley Hill, Brighouse, Keighley Cats, Leeds Akkies, Stanningley
2010 structure:[1]
- East Division: Keighley Cats, Leeds Akkies, Guiseley, Stanningley, Whinmoor, New Earswick All Blacks
- South Division: Coventry Bears, Northampton Demons, Nottingham Outlaws, West London Sharks
- West Division: Chorley Panthers, Warrington, Wigan
2011 structure:
- Central Division: Bradford Thunderbirds, Brighouse Ladies, Dudley Hill Diamonds, Keighley Cats, West Craven Warriors
- North East Division: Featherstone Rovers, Hunslet Hawks, Peterlee Pumas, Leeds Akkies, Stanningley, Whinmoor
- North West Division: Chorley Panthers, Leigh East, Leigh Miners Rangers, Mancunians RL, Wigan Ladies
- South Division: Coventry Bears, Nottingham Outlaws, Royal Air Force, Royal Navy, The Army, West London Sharks
- West Division: Crosfields, Halton, Macclesfield, Warrington, Widnes Moorfield
Finals[edit]
| Season | Champions | Score | Runners-up | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | West London Sharks | 44–20 | Coventry Bears | [3][4] |
| 2009 | Bradford Thunderbirds | 44–8 | Coventry Bears | [3][5] |
| 2010 | Keighley Cats | 18–14 | Stanningley | [6][7] |
| 2011 | Warrington | 44–8 | Halton | [8] |
| Season | Winners | Score | Runners-up | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Coventry Bears | 30–8 | Leeds Akkies | [9] |
| 2011 | Leeds Akkies | 32–26 | Stanningley | [10] |
See also[edit]
- Women's rugby league
- Rugby League Conference
- RFL Women's Rugby League
- Women's Challenge Cup
- Women's Super League
References[edit]
- ^ a b "Women Ready For Kick Off". Rugby league Conference. 13 May 2010. Archived from the original on 5 June 2011.
- ^ "RFL waiting on Womens League responses". Rugby Football League. 24 August 2011. Archived from the original on 25 September 2011.
- ^ a b "Roll Of Honour". Rugby League Conference. Archived from the original on 12 February 2012.
- ^ "Sharks men lose their bite, but ladies do the job". My London. 11 September 2008. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ "Life's Grand for triumphant Thunderbirds!". Telegraph & Argus. 25 September 2009. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ "Keighley Cats in Golden Championship Final". Rugby league Conference. 13 May 2010. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010.
- ^ "Keighley Cats are crowned as champions". Keighley News. 26 August 2010. Retrieved 12 June 2024.
- ^ "RLC Women's Final". RFL. 22 August 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011.
- ^ "Coventry Bears win Womens Plate Final". Rugby league Conference. 13 May 2010. Archived from the original on 26 August 2010.
- ^ "RLC Women's plate final". RFL. 22 August 2011. Archived from the original on 26 September 2011.