British Amateur Rugby League Association celebrates its 50th anniversary today, which will be launched by a new logo.
Six of Cumbria’s top teams will be involved today, March 4, when they start the new season in the National Conference League.
A number of events will be announced during the years celebration but BARLA pre-empted those celebrations when they agreed an undisclosed five figure donation to the Rugby Football League for headcams for match officials to wear when officiating amateur games throughout the winter and summer seasons.
The special part played by a Workington Town official in launching BARLA has also been highlighted.
On March 4 1973 all District Leagues were invited to a meeting at Greenside Working Men’s Club, Huddersfield – ironically the town where the Rugby Football League (RFL) then known as the ‘Northern Union’ were formed in 1895 – as it was felt the governing body the RFL were not doing enough for the amateur game.
The drivers of the meeting were Tom Keaveney MBE and Jack Clayton who held positions within the Huddersfield District League at that time, and at the meeting those present voted to break away from the RFL.
The following month the RFL at its council meeting voted 29–1 against recognising BARLA, with only Tom Mitchell, who later became BARLA’s first patron, of Workington Town, voting in favour of BARLA.
A colourful figure in the game TM, as he was often referred to, was chairman and then president of Town, and in 1958 had been the Great Britain tour manager on a trip to Australia.
Within 12 months following a change of RFL secretary to the late David Oxley, this changed to a unanimous vote of approval and recognition of BARLA for it to run the amateur game.
Alan Parker, treasurer of Hull and District Youth League and Lol Rawson the chair of the Open Age Hull & District League are the only individuals who are still alive and attended that meeting.
Alan has said: “Congratulations on BARLA reaching their 50th anniversary and what they have achieved over those years. BARLA was formed because it was felt by those present, of which I was one, that those running the amateur game were not doing enough for it and at that meeting it was agreed to break away.”
Sue Taylor, BARLA chair/vice president of the RFL, added: “I have been involved in amateur rugby for the majority of my life and knew Tom Keaveney and his wife Moira. I am honoured to have been chair of BARLA for the last 10 years in which time I have built bridges and solid foundations through trust and honour in gaining respect and working with the governing body the RFL.
“BARLA have already pre-empted its anniversary with an undisclosed five figure donation for headcams for match officials to wear during amateur games.
“We have other plans to come to celebrate BARLA’s 50th anniversary, these will be announced in due course which will be for the good and benefit of the game.”
One of the intriguing games today is in the Third Division as newcomers Ellenborough Rangers play their first game at this level at Seaton Rangers. Wath Brow host York Acorn while Kells, Egremont and Barrow Island open with away fixtures.
