A record number of 83 teams, spread across eight divisions, will contest the 2020 Yorkshire Men’s League, which kicks off on 28 March.
Sherwood Wolf Hunt, who recently featured in the Coral Challenge Cup for the first time, are one of new sides. Long-standing chair Adam Bates commented: “We are very grateful for the opportunity to join the Yorkshire Men’s League this year. As a club we're always looking to build and grow the sport in North Nottinghamshire.
“We're excited at the prospect of fielding two sides, the other in the Midlands competition. To allow our club to continue to grow, it is important for us to be able to offer more opportunities to test the players at the appropriate standard, as well as having an enhanced playing schedule.”
Also making their bow - and coached by Betfred Super League’s Hull and England star Jake Connor - is Ovenden who will make their debut in the competition in division 1. The club has just received funds to improve their facilities from the Rugby League World Cup 2021's CreatedBy grant programme. “After having numerous successful winter seasons, we feel the need to be playing in a more structured set up and find the YML is the perfect platform for us to do that,” said Connor.
“We plan on having a really good go in division one this summer and our aim is to get promotion and build a team ready to challenge for the title in years to come, especially as we will have excellent facilities for the guys by then. I’m looking forward to the season ahead, good luck to all the teams this year.”
Other new clubs include Almondbury Spartans, who will be entering two sides, their firsts in division 1 and an ‘A’ team in division 5, whilst Fryston Warriors return with a new-look team based on their emerging young talent.
Bentley are out to secure a successive Premier division title and there will again be a triple-header grand final for the sides in the Premier and divisions 1 and 2 to be held at Featherstone Rovers on 26 September.
The YML is, once more, running a merit league for developing clubs, and the YML Lionhearts representative side will tour Belgrade later in the summer as part of a three-year reciprocal development agreement with the Serbians who won the two internationals, at York Acorn and Stanningley, last season.
Kelly Barrett, RFL Head of Delivery Community Game Competition, noted: “The Yorkshire Men’s League continues to grow year on year, 2020 will see the highest number of teams the league has had in its nine year existence. The 83 teams who will participate this season make it the largest adult playing league in the country. We wish all the teams good fortune for the season ahead.”
YML 2019 CHAMPIONS
Premier – Bentley
Division 1 – Elland
Division 2 – Wyke
Division 3 – Farnley Falcons
Division 4 - Greetland All Rounders
Division 5 – Dodworth Miners
Details regarding the competition can be found here.
