NCRL National Conferences

In November 2025, the RFL launched its National Community Rugby League initiative which proposed replacing the National Conference League (NCL) with two national leagues and a number of regional leagues.^[1] While most clubs were not in favour of the initiative, the clubs decided to agree to the proposal "for the good of the sport".^[1] The NCL clubs met on 19 January and agreed to dissolve the NCL.^[2]

Several clubs hit out at being placed in conferences as some wanted to remain playing in national leagues while Barrow based clubs were unhappy at being placed in the National Conference Cumbria, as they had been playing in the North West Men's League for years.^[3]

Clubs from the old NCL Divisions Two and Three were put into the conferences as well as six clubs from the Yorkshire Premier Division; Fryston Warriors, King Cross Park, Mirfield Spartans, Newsome Panthers, Stanley Rangers, Siddal Academy as well as three clubs from Yorkshire Division 1; Bradford Dudley Hill, Kippax Welfare and Moldgreen.

From the North West Premier Division, five clubs were promoted to the National Conference North-West; Ashton Bears, Blackbrook, Haresfinch, Orrell St James, and Shevington Sharks. While Dalton were placed into the National Conference Cumbria along with Hindpool Tigers and Ulverston joined from North West Division 1.

The Conference League South folded for clubs to join the National Conference Southern.

Clubs play in one of the five Conferences; Cumbria, North West, Southern, Yorkshire A or Yorkshire B. At the end of the regular season, winners of each Conference enter the playoffs to decide on promotion to National League One.