Roger Blair, a stalwart of Cumberland Amateur Rugby League for over 50 years has been appointed president.
At last night’s annual meeting he had stood down as chairman but was immediately installed as the league’s new president.
Kenny Millican, another committed official for the amateur code over many years, also stood down from his role as assistant secretary for health reasons.
In recognition of his services to the game in Cumbria he was appointed the league’s vice president.
Secretary Lorraine Degraff gave a personal thanks to Kenny for stepping in last season after she lost her father and also suffered an accident which took her out of circulation.
Rogerr, a former GB amateur international, had originally been appointed to the committee 35 years ago and has served as league chairman for the last 22.
He thanked the clubs and fellow officials for the support he had received over his time as chairman and said it had been an honour to represent the league as chairman and previously on the committee.
Looking back at the 2022 season he gave a special thanks to Rob Jones and the Cumbria Rigby League Referees Society for their “monumental effort in getting us to the end of the season with a squad of five referees.”
Roger’s position as chairman will be filled by Peter Gilmour, of Seaton, who was unanimously elected to the role.
Unfortunately the league has lost one club ahead of the 2023 season with Aspatria Hornets pulling out because of a lack of players. They had to end their 2022 campaign early for a similar reason.
To increase membership clubs in Barrow had been approached about forming a league however they were not interested although Askam and Roose did show a tentative interest.
As a result the playing format in the CARL structure next season will be just the one League with everyone playing home and away rather than splitting after meeting just once.
League fixtures will start the first week in April and will be played Friday nights and Saturday afternoons.
What has become apparent is the need for more committee members as there is too much work for the current small committee, especially on finals etc.
it was suggested that someone from each club or four each from Allerdale/Copeland could be on the committee and the secretary is to invite people to join.
