Although it is not the case for most clubs, my amateur club would probably cease to exist if forced to do the summer switch, as there is no pitch available in the summer, we still get decent numbers despite the cold and have done for years, but with the council owned pitch which they give away to other sports over the summer, and the cricket pitch at the front, we would be without a place to play, which while although summer is the way forward for a lot, especially rhe youth game, I still feel we need winter rugby, as is apparant by the number of clubs who opted not to switch to summer and continue in the current format, looking at north west counties divisions we still have premier and divisions 1-4 so obviously there is still enough drive to keep winter, but hey if we get summer and winter itd mean we wouldnt need to stop playing so even more benefits imo.

I think that's the point...different clubs have different circumstances - my angst was against the suggestion clubs were being 'pushed'. for some, winter is better, for some, summer is better - that's why it wasnt up to any other organisation other than clubs to choose what they should do. but the point is that clubs needed the information to make a decision based on their circumstances and the earlier that was available the more time to plan.

for some clubs, winter is where they want to play. they might have invested a lot in having facilities etc. suitable for winter and have risen up the leagues on that basis and fair play to them, It's true that some will have to adapt facilities wise (our council in Bury close all pitches for 6 weeks mid-summer for maintenance, not that they ever allowed us to use one anyway!) but that is something we've adapted to. it doesnt mean anyone is being 'pushed'.

BARLA won't be around in the next few years according to my mate who works for the RFL. Everything is being taken under control by the RFL which seems a good idea; after all they are the governing body

The Cumberland League are switching to summer this coming season (a good move IMO given the number of games called off in the previous 2 full seasons) but are strangely having a mid season break in June/July or July/August!

Thank Christ. As long as the same people aren't involved as before and the RFL gets more forward thinking people in control of the leagues and disciplinary then hopefully things might start to change.

From what I've been told, the RFL will pretty much take control of the amateur and semi-pro leagues. The RFL regional managers will be in control but the league will run themselves.