The wait is over – Rugby League’s Community Game 2024 season kicks off this Saturday

Rugby League’s Community Game (Men’s) returns this Saturday (March 2), with another thrilling season in store for clubs from across the North of England.

The National Conference League returns with 46 clubs – including newcomers Distington – competing across four divisions. Hunslet ARLFC took the Premier Division by storm last year and, following their creditable Challenge Cup Round 4 effort against Wakefield Trinity last weekend, will begin their title defence at Siddal – coincidentally where Trinity won in Round 3. 2023 losing finalists, West Hull, travel to Egremont Rangers. 

Heworth return to the NCL top flight for the first time since 1999 and on Saturday host Kells in the opening round. Distington begin life in Division Three with a short trip to Hensingham, while in Division One promoted Woolston Rovers host Oulton Raiders.

The North West Men’s League kicks off just a week later on Saturday 9 March with 47 teams across six divisions – including a new ‘Entry Division’ for teams making their first steps towards progressing towards one day committing to a full season of regular fixtures in a higher division. 

Orrell St James will be on the hunt for their third Premier Division title in as many years this season and begin their campaign at home to Blackbrook. In Division One, newly promoted Burtonwood Bridge are at home to Westhoughton Lions and Chester Gladiators, Haydock and Portico Vine also return to Division Four following a short hiatus.

The Yorkshire Men’s League continues to grow in 2024 with three new names in the form of Moortown Mambas, Scunthorpe Steel Sharks and Mirfield ARLFC. Those additions take the overall number of teams competing in the ten divisions this year to 98.

Newsome Panthers overcame Fryston Warriors 20-18 in a dramatic Premier Division Grand Final last season and will begin their title defence away to Doncaster Toll Bar. The Warriors will travel to promoted Stanley Rangers in their first fixture, and in Division One, promoted Bradford Dudley Hill welcome Mirfield ARLFC.

All matches will be played under the new Tackle Height framework which has been introduced this season. The legal limit for any contact has been lowered from shoulder height (ie below the neck) to arm pit height (ie below the shoulder) and any contact above the arm pit will therefore be penalised. Ahead of the new season, community game coaches have been attending Tackle Height education workshops, enabling them to understand the rule changes, and to adapt and improve tackling techniques among the players they work with. 

Also, back for 2024 is the Our League Active rewards programme. Our League Active (OLA) gives members the opportunity to collect valuable points and be rewarded by saving money on their OLA membership or even on match tickets and merchandise purchases. All new registrations can be made via this link.

Every Men’s Community Game fixture in 2024 can be found here.