Senior Regional Leagues
Covid-19 Update
As you'll be aware England Netball have now published their national calendar for the forthcoming season and also confirmed their plans to start the Premier League from November on the basis that there will be no promotion and relegation between divisions or between Regional Leagues and no premier league playoffs at the end of the season for the following year. Matches will be played in accordance with COVID-19 Rule modifications and if traditional netball (Stage 6 of EN Roadmap) is possible, fixtures instantly return to traditional netball, but all other regulations and standings remain the same.
Being mindful of all clubs needing to comply with the Covid-19 regulations and the fact that a number of clubs are struggling to secure venues currently the L&SER Competition Technical Support Committee can now confirm that it is the Region’s intention to commence the senior Regional League with effect from January 2021.
The plan will be for clubs to play each other once on the basis that (like Prem League) there will be no promotion or relegation between divisions, no relegation from the league. There will be no play offs for county league champions for a place in the Regional League for next season (2021-2022).
All fixtures will be played pursuant to the Covid-19 Rule modifications details of which are available from EN and will be confirmed with all league information which will be made available to clubs in due course. We anticipate a degree of flexibility being applied generally and if necessary clubs will be permitted to play at outdoor venues if securing indoor venues is impossible or unpracticable re costs etc. If and when we are able to return to the traditional game/rules, matches will be played on that basis from that date but there will be no other adjustment to the league format, on that basis we hope to finish the season around April. In addition it is felt that by only playing each other once it will help to limit the level of contact between individuals and allow for weeks towards the end of the season to accommodate rearranged fixtures postponed due to Covid related incidents.
As regards the U14 and U16 national qualifying competitions these will be held as tournaments towards the back end of the season by which time it is hoped the guidance will allow such playing formats and will be planned to fit in with EN proposed dates for the National Competitions which it is anticipated will be in U14s 29-30 May 2021 or 28-29 August 2021 and U16s 3-4 July 2021 or 21-22 August 2021.
No U16 league will therefore take place for the 2020-2021 season.
Obviously clubs have a lot of work to do in preparing for play under the Covid rules and need time to trial and identify their squads as well as prepare players for the modified rules and to be match fit. Hopefully by delaying the start of the league until January this should enable clubs, players and officials to feel prepared and ready for netball to restart.
Application Forms and league information will be issued in the next few weeks.
Key Dates
Regional League Round Dates: January - 16th, 30th
February - 6th, 20th
March - 6th, 20th
April - 17th, 24th Regional spare day
National Schools Regional Round 24th January 2021 (Reserve date 31st January 2021)
Regional Festival TBC
U14 Regional Clubs TBC
U16 Regional Clubs TBC
Premier League Playoffs N/A
Regional League Playoffs N/A
U16 National Club Finals 29 – 30 May 2021 or 28-29 August 2021
U14 National Club Finals 3-4 July 2021 or 21-22 August 2021