Six clubs have expressed an interest in forming an Under-18s league in West Cumbria next season.
Amateur rugby league in the area has suffered recent body blows with four teams pulling out of the Holmen Iggesund Cumberland Amateur Rugby League.
There are many who consider the problem has arisen because there is no natural step for young players between Under-16s and open age.
It’s a crucial time for teenagers in any sport and it would appear that rugby league is being particularly affected by the lack of a specific competition for them.
Joe Elliott, administrator for the West Cumbria Youth League, is hoping that the AGM in October will approve the formation of a new Under-18s league.
“It will be well over 10 years since we last had a league for the Under-18s and because of the present state of the amateur game in West Cumbria I think we have to provide one.
“I have contacted the clubs and so far six have said they would like to get involved – Lowca, Wath Brow, Hensingham, Seaton, Maryport and Ellenborough.
“At our AGM all the clubs will say which age groups team they will be running next season and I’m hoping we can get this Under-18s league up and running.
“Two of our clubs, Hensingham and Kells have Under-16s teams with our league but they also play them in the North West Counties League.
“I understand that Kells intend to field an Under-18s team in the North West Counties next season, and if we don’t form a West Cumbria League for that age group I suspect two or three others from here will join them.”
