After a false start earlier in the year whilst waiting for the appointment of a South West RFL Regional Manager, the inagural meeting of the North Devon Rugby League Club is being held on

THURSDAY NOVEMBER 12th - 7.15pm at
THE WREY ARMS
BICKINGTON ROAD
BARNSTAPLE
EX31 2BX

Anyone interested in the formation of a club in North Devon, either as a player, official, supporter or sponsor is urged to come along and hear from Joe Catcheside, RFL SW Manager and Keith Fillingham, temporary Club Secretary about their plans for the club and the game in the South West.

It is hoped to begin training early in the New Year in readiness for the 2010 co-operative Rugby League Conference season.

Good news that

Devon for Super League 2020?



Good luck for the future....!!!!!

All the best for he new team!!!

have you got in touch with the South Dorset Giants ? you could head over the border (ish) for a friendly.

That's what is needed. Good thinking




plymouthtitan you have a few clubs within 35 miles of you.
Bridgend Blue Bulls ARLFC, Exeter University ARLFC and Exeter Centurions ARLFC.

We are working with Joe Catcheside (RFL SW Manager) and aiming for the SW Division of the Conference next season. Joe works with Exeter University and a friendly with them is the most likely before the SW Nines in early May.
The Giants will most likely be on the fixture list in 2010 along with Devon Sharks, Somerset Vikings, Plymouth Titans, Exeter Centurions and East Devon Eagles.
The Bridgend Blue Bulls may be within 35 miles (according to the RFL club finder) but only if you have a boat! However, if the proposed Ilfracombe to Swansea ferry does eventuate in the summer South Wales would probably be closer than some of the clubs in the South West Division.

Thanks for everyone's responses so far.

Very interesting, I might try and get a train up from Exeter.

Yes I would like to put forward the name of the Devon Sharks, South West Champions and National Semi Finalists. The more teams we can have down here the better.

Wishing you all the very best of the future.

Great to see our beloved game spreading into new areas which would never happen without the efforts of people like yourself.

Good luck and let us know how you get on.

Captain Library....
Not being paranoid or thinking they are out to get us but there are no trains between Exeter and Barnstaple that week due to engineering works. There is a replacement bus service from St.Davids leaving at 5.05pm and arriving at Barnstaple at 6.27pm. From there get a Number 1, 2 or 21 bus to "The Wrey Arms".
Return buses leave Barnstaple at 9.59pm and 10.18pm reaching Exeter at 11.18pm and 12.10am.

I love a bit of praise!

All the very best to you, Ginsters pastys arrhhh



Tavvy tigers.

Seven days to go til meeting, all welcome to come along have a listen and have your say. Nice write up in the local paper NORTH DEVON JOURNAL www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/sport ... rticle.htm

Seven days to go til meeting, all welcome to come along have a listen and have your say. Nice write up in the local paper NORTH DEVON JOURNAL www.thisisnorthdevon.co.uk/sport ... rticle.htm

I chatted to Joe (I spotted his Exeter top) at the England France game. He seemed to be a smart, enthusiastic guy. I am sure he will do a good job.

The South West is Rugby Unions Cumbria there is a lot of untapped potential down there. Lots of expansion potential.

Just a reminder - Tomorrow, 7.15 at the Wrey Arms, Barnstaple.
Julia Lee from the RFL will also be there as part of a couple of days of meetings in the South West.
All welcome.

Give it time!

Have you approached the local Military bases about it?
Maybe worth a call or arrange a meeting with their Rugby officer.

Bearing in mind they are Marines or Attached to the Marines you wont have any fitness issues!

Don't listen to him, he's a flat capper!

They know! Shame Jase Grant isn't stationed at Barnstaple any more... OBE for services to RL, and one of the Army RL's best coaches... but he's been posted elsewhere

Thing is they have so many commitments with Op tours it could be difficult to get a regular season out of any of them

I wish you all the best, ive played against 59 Commando at Union few times in my youth, a good standard if any of the units can help you out

Hope it comes to fruition for you and your team - Best Of Luck

Very promising, 15 attended on a filthy night ranging from the Deputy Leader of North Devon Council (who played for Belle Vue Rangers in the fifties) to a couple of 16 year olds who want to play.
It was expected that there would be few players there as Thursday is a training night for the Union clubs in the area and it was more to attract possible club officials.
Another meeting has been planned for three weeks time to formally constitute the club and appoint officials.
Contact will be made shortly with the Union clubs to discuss our plans and possibilty of using their facilities.
Things are looking good and we are hopeful of being on the starting line for May 2010.

Second meeting of the club on THURSDAY DECEMBER 3rd 2009 at
THE CORNER HOUSE
108 BOUTPORT STREET
BARNSTAPLE
EX31 1SY
from 7.30pm.

This meeting will see the election of club officials for 2010, a decision on the club name, colours and logo as well as the acceptence of the club constitution which will allow us to affiliate to the RFL and apply to join the RL Conference for 2010.

All are welcome to come along whether they made it to last week's meeting or not. Should be an interesting reception from the locals as the Corner House is the number 1 supporters pub for Barnstaple RFC, with loads of memorabilia and photos around the bar.
Hopefully the Shove ha'penny league wont interfere with the meeting too much!

It would be nice if the SW were to get a SL franchise at some point - especially in Exeter! Unfortunately I don't think it has the population to support a new SL team - Bristol is the most logical place for me, perhaps a bit too close to the Crusaders though.

With Crusaders being what they are, they might well end up playing in Bristol this time next year anyway.